F
35%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
237%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
86%
Property crime NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects the 2022 calendar year and was released from the FBI in September, 2023; this is the most current data available.
StatisticReportedincidents/100k peopleBethel/100k peopleAlaska/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime95n/a (estimate)1,5162,5482,324
Murder1n/a16.09.56.3
Rape3n/a47.9134.040.0
Robbery2n/a31.975.166.1
Assault72n/a1,148.9540.2268.2
Violent crime78n/a (estimate)1,245759370
Burglary4n/a63.8269.0269.8
Theft8n/a127.71,274.61,401.9
Vehicle theft5n/a79.8245.5282.7
Property crime17n/a (estimate)2711,7891,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Bethel, AK

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 Bethel is 34.8% lower than the national average. Specifically, there were 78 violent crimes reported in Bethel, equivalent to 1245 per 100,000 residents, which is higher than the national average by 236.6%. Additionally, Bethel recorded 17 property crimes, amounting to 271 per 100,000 people, lower than the national average by 86.1%.

Bethel ranks among the bottom 10% of all U.S. cities reporting violent crime, earning its reputation as one of the nation's most dangerous areas. With a violent crime rate of 1245 per 100,000 people, Bethel is considered one of the most unsafe cities in America. This statistic translates to a 1 in 81 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime in Bethel, underscoring the need for increased safety measures and community engagement to improve the city's security.

Despite a steady decline in murder rates in the United States since 1990, recent years have witnessed an unfortunate uptick. Bethel stands out with one of the nation's highest murder rates, surpassing other cities that reported crime. In Bethel, there were a total of 1 murders, translating to 16 murders per 100,000 people, underscoring the pressing need for continued efforts to address and reduce severe violent crime in the area.

Property crime rates per 100,000 individuals have exhibited a consistent decrease of about 50% since 1990, with a minor upturn observed in recent years. According to the latest crime data, Bethel maintains a property crime rate of 271 incidents per 100,000 people, significantly below the national average of 1954. This serves as a strong indication of the status of Bethel as a secure and desirable place to reside, emphasizing its commitment to safety and well-being within the community.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Bethel?

What do the local residents think about crime in Bethel? Well, based on a recent survey of 6 people (conducted by AreaVibes), 33% of Bethel residents said that there was virtually no crime and that they felt safe walking at night. Another 67% of respondents said that there was too much crime in the area and they did not feel safe walking alone at night.

Is Bethel a Safe Place to Live?

Before you decide to relocate, it’s always good to ask yourself “Is Bethel a safe place to live?” Although the answer might not be that simple, as some areas are safer than others, getting a good feel for the overall rate of crime can definitely be helpful. Overall, the Bethel crime rate is 35% lower than the national average. If we break that down daily, that translates into 0.26 crimes per day - 0.21 violent crimes and 0.05 property crimes.

Has Crime in Bethel Increased Since Last Year?

Examining year-over-year crime data provides insights into short-term trends with regards to the crime activity in Bethel. This analysis involves comparing crime rates from one year to the next, enabling the identification of patterns and fluctuations in crime. Such information proves invaluable to residents seeking to make well-informed decisions about their choice of residence. In the most recent year, compared to the previous one, total crime in Bethel has decreased by 29.1%. Specifically, violent crime has decreased by 6%, while property crime has decreased by 66.7%. This data empowers individuals with a clearer understanding of the evolving safety landscape in Bethel.

Potential Causes for Crime in Bethel

Bethel has a poverty rate that stands at 17.1, in contrast to the national average of 15.1. Historically, a direct correlation has been observed between poverty rates and crime stats. Higher poverty rates have led to higher crime rates, while lower poverty rates have led to a reduction in Bethel crime rates. Income disparities and heightened poverty levels can serve as catalysts for elevated or reduced criminal activity, as individuals may or may not turn to illicit means to fulfill their basic needs. This could be one of many factors that may influence crime.

Bethel reports an unemployment rate of 6.8%, contrasting with the national average of 4.7%. Constrained employment opportunities or a prevalence of low-paying positions can contribute to elevated rates of unemployment and underemployment. Areas where individuals contend with joblessness or insufficient wages may display heightened susceptibility to an increase in criminal activities attributed to economic insecurity. Conversely, regions characterized by robust employment rates often witness a decrease in overall Bethel crime rates.

High rent costs can create economic stress for individuals and families, particularly those with limited financial resources. When a significant portion of one's income is spent on housing, there may be less money available for other essential needs such as food, healthcare and education. Economic stress can contribute to desperation and potentially lead individuals to engage in criminal activities, such as theft or fraud, as a means of financial survival. Average rent rates in Bethel are $1,490, compared to a national average of $949 per month.

Bethel crime map



The Bethel crime map provides a detailed overview of all crimes in Bethel as reported by the local law enforcement agencies. Based on the color coded legend above, the crime map outlines the areas with lower crime compared to the areas with higher crime. The Bethel crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the Bethel crime map does not always indicate that it is a dangerous area for its residents. Areas on the heat map could be inflated if they are located in high traffic areas like airports, sports centers or large parks. Other areas on the heat map could see increased crime rates if they are located in major tourist areas like the downtown core.
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Compare Bethel, AK Crime

      vs

      Crime Quick Facts

      • Bethel crime rates are 35% lower than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Bethel are 237% higher than the national average
      • In Bethel you have a 1 in 66 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Bethel is safer than 8% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Bethel has decreased by 24%

      Bethel, AK Crime Quiz

         

        Safest Places to Live in and Around Bethel

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        Daily Crime In Bethel (per 100,000 people)

        The chart above shows the number of daily crimes in Bethel, AK per 100,000 people. In Bethel, the number of daily crimes is projected to be 1.68 times less than the Alaska average and 1.53 times less than the national average. The average number of daily violent crimes in Bethel is 1.64 times more than the Alaska average and 3.37 times more than the daily national average. With regards to property crimes, Bethel has a daily crime rate that is 6.60 times less than the Alaska average and 7.20 times less than the overall daily national average.

        How Safe is Bethel (higher is better)

        When comparing the safety of Bethel to every other city in Alaska, as well as the entirety of the United States, is Bethel safe? The gauges above illustrate that Bethel is safer than 17% of every city located within Alaska along with 8% of the all the cities located in the United States. The results of these graphs are created after analyzing each of the cities in Alaska and in the United States as a whole. As a result, Bethel, AK is ranked above average when compared to the rest of the US cities.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Bethel

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Bethel is 1 in 81
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Bethel is 1 in 369
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Bethel is 1 in 66
        Are you worried about becoming a crime victim? In Bethel, your chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime is 1 in 81. Types of violent crimes may include assault, robbery, rape, or murder. You also have a 1 in 369 chance of being the victim of a property crime such as vehicle theft, personal property theft, and burglary. Your overall risk of becoming a crime victim in Bethel is 1 in 66.

        Year Over Year Crime In Bethel (per 100,000 people)

        The year over year crime rate per 100,000 people for Bethel is an accurate tool for tracking the rise and fall of crime, and in determining if living in Bethel has become safer or more dangerous. The year over year data displayed in the graph shows that violent crimes have increased by 1% in Bethel, while property crimes in Bethel have decreased by 64%. Total crime has decreased by 24% year over year.

        Bethel police department

        Item Bethel Alaska National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)231,171558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents3.75.43.3
        There are a total of 23 Bethel police officers. This results in 3.7 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 32.2% less than the Alaska average and 12.4% greater than the National average.

        Sex offenders in Alaska

        State Total offenders Alaska /100K National /100K
        Alaska3,433490266
        There are a total of 3,433 sex offenders in Alaska. This yields a total of 490 sex offenders in Alaska per 100,000 residents which is 84% greater than the national average.

        Nearby Cities With Low Crime Rates

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Oscarville, AK951,2272,8914,118
        Kwethluk, AK4591,2272,8914,118
        Napakiak, AK5931,2272,8914,118
        Napaskiak, AK5371,2272,8914,118
        Akiachak, AK4611,2272,8914,118
        Bethel, AK6,5481,2452711,516

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Tuckahoe, NY6,548140560700
        Medina, MN6,54944503548
        West View, PA6,5472431,2861,529
        Oneonta, AL6,5502793,8544,134
        Eudora, KS6,55177432509
        Bethel, AK6,5481,2452711,516
        Source: The Bethel, AK crime data displayed above is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reports for the year of 2022. The crime report encompasses more than 18,000 city and state law enforcement agencies reporting data on property and violent crimes. The uniform crime reports program represents approximately 309 million American residents, which results in 98% coverage of metropolitan statistical areas.