| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Bellingham/100k people | Washington/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 3,931 | n/a (estimate) | 4,107 | 2,793 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 2 | n/a | 2.1 | 3.8 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 20 | n/a | 20.9 | 37.8 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 74 | n/a | 77.3 | 67.5 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 239 | n/a | 249.7 | 217.0 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 335 | n/a (estimate) | 350 | 326 | 359 |
| Burglary | 470 | n/a | 491.0 | 398.8 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 2,980 | n/a | 3,113.3 | 1,634.2 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 146 | n/a | 152.5 | 433.5 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 3,596 | n/a (estimate) | 3,757 | 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 Bellingham is 93.8% higher than the national average. Specifically, there were 335 violent crimes reported in Bellingham, equivalent to 350 per 100,000 residents, which is lower than the national average by 2.5%. Additionally, Bellingham recorded 3596 property crimes, amounting to 3757 per 100,000 people, higher than the national average by 113.5%.
With a crime rate of 4107 per 100,000 residents, Bellingham has a crime rate that is 93.79% higher than the national average. This results in one of the highest total crime rates in the entire country. This does not necessarily mean that the entire city is unsafe. As with any area, there are some pockets in Bellingham that are much safer than others. A little research will go a long way in determining which areas could potentially offer a safer living environment.
When it comes to violent crimes per 100,000 people, Bellingham maintains a rate that is very similar to the national average. With 350 reported violent crimes, it falls in line with the national average of 359. This alignment suggests that Bellingham shares a similar crime profile with other cities, highlighting its comparable level of safety within the broader urban landscape.
Bellingham has some of the highest property crime rates in the country with 3757 crimes per 100,000 people - this ranks in the bottom 10% of all American cities that reported crime. Your chance of being a victim of property crime in Bellingham is 1 in 27, which is far higher than the national average.
AreaVibes has conducted polls asking local residents if they feel safe living in Bellingham. Based on the results of the surveys (100 responses), 47% of people felt that there was very little crime in Bellingham and felt safe walking alone at night. While 53% of people felt that it was not a safe place to live and did not feel safe walking alone at night.
To get a feel for the safety of living in Bellingham, it's essential to analyze both the overall crime rate and the daily incident count. Bellingham presents a total crime rate that is 94% higher than the national average per 100,000 residents. Consequently, Bellingham experiences an average of 10.77 daily crimes, comprising 0.92 violent incidents and 9.85 property-related offenses. This evaluation offers a comprehensive understanding of the safety landscape, aiding individuals in making informed decisions when considering relocation.
Year-over-year crime data allows us to analyze short-term trends in crime activity. By comparing crime rates from one year to the next, we can identify patterns and shifts in Bellingham crime rates. This information can be invaluable for residents looking to make informed decisions on where to live. When comparing the most recent year to the previous year, total crime in Bellingham has decreased by 24% year over year. Violent crime has decreased by 14.3% and property crime has decreased by 24.8%.
There are more than 20 different neighborhoods in the Bellingham area. Depending on their location and other socioeconomic factors, the rate of crime in each neighborhood is vastly different. Areas that are located near the center or downtown core, tend to be more densely populated and typically see higher crime rates. While neighborhoods in the outskirts of the city tend to be less densely populated and have lower unemployment and poverty rates. Some of the safer neighborhoods in Bellingham include Whatcom Falls, Western Washington University and Samish Hill. While Downtown Business District, Guide Meridian and Birchwood have a reported crime rate that is higher than average. This reinforces the need to do a quality check on multiple neighborhoods as their crime rates can be quite different.
In Bellingham, 88.7% of residents have successfully graduated from high school, whereas the national average stands at 83%. The educational makeup of any city 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.
In Bellingham, the cost of living is 39.89% higher than the national average. A substantial cost of living can burden residents, particularly those with constrained financial means. When individuals contend with steep housing expenses, grocery bills, utility costs, healthcare and essential needs that strain their budgets, they may turn to criminal activities, such as theft or fraud, as a means of financial survival. Conversely, cities characterized by a more affordable cost of living may alleviate economic pressures, which could potentially lead to decreased crime rates.
The median home price in Bellingham is $745,514, compared to the national average of $326,622. High housing costs can lead to financial stress for residents. When individuals struggle to make ends meet due to expensive housing, they may be more inclined to engage in criminal activities to address their financial difficulties, such as theft or fraud. Communities with stable housing environments tend to foster stronger social bonds and community engagement. This can lead to increased vigilance and cooperation among residents, which can deter criminal behavior.
| Item | Bellingham | Washington | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 157 | 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 |
| Everson, WA | 2,830 | 107 | 321 | 428 |
| Geneva, WA | 2,684 | 73 | 549 | 622 |
| Nooksack, WA | 1,652 | 125 | 946 | 1,071 |
| Edison, WA | 273 | 132 | 996 | 1,128 |
| Marietta-Alderwood, WA | 3,541 | 134 | 1,017 | 1,151 |
| Lynden, WA | 15,226 | 179 | 1,131 | 1,309 |
| Ferndale, WA | 15,070 | 104 | 1,602 | 1,706 |
| Bellingham, WA | 92,702 | 350 | 3,757 | 4,107 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Town 'n' Country, FL | 92,543 | 269 | 1,429 | 1,697 |
| Miami Beach, FL | 92,948 | 123 | 653 | 776 |
| Indio, CA | 92,311 | 667 | 2,854 | 3,521 |
| Germantown, MD | 92,229 | 412 | 2,010 | 2,422 |
| Toms River, NJ | 93,337 | 134 | 1,120 | 1,255 |
| Bellingham, WA | 92,702 | 350 | 3,757 | 4,107 |
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