| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Lakewood/100k people | Washington/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 2,642 | n/a (estimate) | 4,270 | 2,793 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 4 | n/a | 6.5 | 3.8 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 38 | n/a | 61.4 | 37.8 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 81 | n/a | 130.9 | 67.5 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 278 | n/a | 449.3 | 217.0 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 401 | n/a (estimate) | 648 | 326 | 359 |
| Burglary | 316 | n/a | 510.7 | 398.8 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 1,537 | n/a | 2,484.1 | 1,634.2 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 388 | n/a | 627.1 | 433.5 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 2,241 | n/a (estimate) | 3,622 | 2,467 | 1,760 |
Crime can be categorized into two primary types: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes encompass offenses such as murder, rape, robbery, and assault, whereas property crimes involve acts like burglary, theft, and vehicle theft. The overall crime rate in Lakewood is 101.5% higher than the national average. Specifically, there were 401 violent crimes reported in Lakewood, equivalent to 648 per 100,000 residents, which is higher than the national average by 80.5%. Additionally, Lakewood recorded 2241 property crimes, amounting to 3622 per 100,000 people, higher than the national average by 105.8%.
Having a crime rate of 4270 per 100,000 residents, Lakewood experiences a crime rate that is 101.49% higher when compared to the national average, leading to one of the highest overall crime rates in the nation. It's important to clarify that this doesn't imply the entire city is unsafe. Like any area, Lakewood contains neighborhoods with varying safety levels and you can find areas that are notably safer than others, emphasizing the need for targeted crime prevention efforts and community engagement initiatives.
Every year, one in 28 people fall victim to a property crime in Lakewood - which is high compared to the national average. With a property crime rate of 3622 per 100,000 people, Lakewood has one of the highest property crime rates in the country. In fact, the city ranks among the worst 10% of all cities that reported crime last year.
The occurrence of vehicle thefts has been increasing nationwide, and Lakewood faces one of the highest vehicle theft rates in the United States. In the latest reported crime year, there were a reported 388 vehicle thefts, translating to 627 stolen vehicles per 100,000 residents. This places Lakewood in the bottom 10% among all cities, signifying that 90% of cities have less stolen vehicles. The likelihood of experiencing a vehicle theft is 1 in 160.
AreaVibes conducted surveys inquiring about the safety perception of Lakewood residents. Out of the respondents (68 in total), 18% expressed a strong sense of security, believing that crime rates in Lakewood were low, and they felt comfortable walking alone at night. Conversely, 82% held a contrasting viewpoint, expressing concerns about safety in the area and feeling uncomfortable walking alone during the nighttime hours.
To get a feel for the safety of living in Lakewood, it's essential to analyze both the overall crime rate and the daily incident count. Lakewood presents a total crime rate that is 101% higher than the national average per 100,000 residents. Consequently, Lakewood experiences an average of 7.24 daily crimes, comprising 1.1 violent incidents and 6.14 property-related offenses. This evaluation offers a comprehensive understanding of the safety landscape, aiding individuals in making informed decisions when considering relocation.
In the most recent crime report, year-over-year crime rates in Lakewood has decreased by 23%. Examining the change in crime rates from one year to the next provides valuable insights into the evolving safety landscape of Lakewood, aiding residents in assessing whether it is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live. These crime rates are categorized into two primary groups: violent and property crimes. Year-over-year, violent crime has decreased by 13.2%, while property crime has decreased by 24.5%. This comprehensive analysis offers potential residents essential information for making informed decisions about whether or not Lakewood is a safe place to live.
The economic prosperity of a city's inhabitants exerts substantial influence on crime stats. Elevated poverty rates and income inequality can precipitate heightened criminal activity, as individuals may turn to illicit means to fulfill their fundamental requirements. While lower poverty rates could lead to lower Lakewood crime rates. In Lakewood, the poverty rate stands at 14.7%, diverging from the national average of 15.1%.
In Lakewood, 83.7% of residents have graduated from high school, whereas the national average stands at 83%. The educational makeup of a community can exert a significant influence on crime rates. Typically, higher levels of educational attainment are associated with reduced crime rates, as they furnish individuals with improved employment prospects and viable alternatives to engaging in criminal activities. Conversely, communities characterized by lower educational achievement often grapple with higher crime rates, as limited opportunities may drive individuals towards criminal behavior.
Lakewood has a ratio of police officers and civilians per 1,000 residents that differs from the national norm, with 1.94 officers and civilians per 1,000 residents, compared to 3.25 nationwide. Crime rates are profoundly influenced by the effectiveness of law enforcement and community policing endeavors. A resilient and cooperative partnership between law enforcement agencies and the community can serve as a deterrent to criminal activities, ultimately enhancing safety. The efficacy of law enforcement extends beyond mere numbers and extends into the realm of community policing strategies, emphasizing the cultivation of trust and collaboration between officers and the community. It is not merely a matter of quantity but the quality of engagement with the community that matters most.
Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.
| Item | Lakewood | Washington | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 115 | 8,169 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 1.9 | 2.2 | 3.3 |
| State | Total offenders | Washington /100K | National /100K |
| Washington | 6,688 | 107 | 266 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Dash Point, WA | 1,045 | 46 | 346 | 392 |
| Fox Island, WA | 3,695 | 62 | 470 | 532 |
| Canterwood, WA | 3,134 | 62 | 470 | 532 |
| Fife Heights, WA | 1,977 | 69 | 518 | 587 |
| McMillin, WA | 1,283 | 74 | 561 | 635 |
| Anderson Island, WA | 1,628 | 78 | 591 | 669 |
| Rosedale, WA | 4,559 | 85 | 641 | 725 |
| Lakewood, WA | 61,909 | 648 | 3,622 | 4,270 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Sanford, FL | 61,887 | 543 | 2,253 | 2,795 |
| Wesley Chapel, FL | 61,965 | 190 | 1,011 | 1,202 |
| Pontiac, MI | 61,764 | 985 | 1,642 | 2,626 |
| Meriden, CT | 61,712 | 128 | 1,688 | 1,817 |
| Owensboro, KY | 62,157 | 349 | 2,917 | 3,266 |
| Lakewood, WA | 61,909 | 648 | 3,622 | 4,270 |
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