| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Burien/100k people | Washington/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 1,922 | n/a (estimate) | 3,820 | 2,793 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 2 | n/a | 4.0 | 3.8 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 33 | n/a | 65.6 | 37.8 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 82 | n/a | 163.0 | 67.5 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 97 | n/a | 192.8 | 217.0 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 214 | n/a (estimate) | 425 | 326 | 359 |
| Burglary | 290 | n/a | 576.3 | 398.8 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 882 | n/a | 1,752.8 | 1,634.2 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 536 | n/a | 1,065.2 | 433.5 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 1,708 | n/a (estimate) | 3,394 | 2,467 | 1,760 |
The Burien crime rates are 80.2% higher than the national average. There are two main categories of crime - violent crime and property crime. Violent crime consists of murder, rape, robbery and assault, while property crimes include burglary, theft and vehicle theft. There were a total of 214 violent crimes in Burien (425 per 100,000 people), which is 18.4% higher than the national average and there were a total of 1708 property crimes (3394 per 100,000 residents) which is 92.9% higher than average.
Vehicle thefts across all of America are on the rise and Burien has one of the highest vehicle theft rates in the country. In the most recent crime report, Burien reported 536 vehicle thefts, which equates to 1065 stolen vehicles per 100,000 people. This falls in the bottom 10% of all cities, meaning that 90% of cities have better vehicle theft rates. The chance of having your vehicle stolen in Burien is 1 in 94.
What do the local residents think about crime in Burien? Well, based on a recent survey of 68 people (conducted by AreaVibes), 18% of Burien residents said that there was virtually no crime and that they felt safe walking at night. Another 82% of respondents said that there was too much crime in the area and they did not feel safe walking alone at night.
Determining whether Burien is a place to live may not always yield a simple answer, given the city's varying safety levels across different areas. Nonetheless, comprehending the city's overall crime rate can be a valuable asset. In broad terms, Burien has an overall crime rate that is 80% higher than the national average. When we take a look at crime on a daily basis, this translates into 5.27 daily occurrences, comprising 0.59 violent crimes and 4.68 property crimes. Scrutinizing these statistics provides a foundation for a more informed assessment of the suitability of Burien as a potential place to establish residency.
Year-over-year crime data allows residents and potential residents to assess the crime in Burien. A decrease in crime rates may indicate improving safety, while an increase could raise concerns. The year-over-year crime rate in Burien has decreased by 29.1%. Violent crimes have decreased by 17.1%, while property crimes have decreased by 30.4%. By comparing crime rates from one year to the next, authorities and communities can identify trends and patterns in criminal activity. This helps in understanding whether crime is increasing, decreasing, or remaining stable over time.
In Burien, the current unemployment rate stands at 4%, diverging from the national average of 4.9%. The availability of job opportunities is a pivotal factor influencing unemployment and underemployment rates. Communities where individuals contend with limited employment prospects or a preponderance of low-wage positions may witness elevated rates of joblessness and income inadequacy, which can contribute to heightened crime levels driven by financial insecurity. Conversely, areas characterized by robust employment rates often experience a reduction in overall Burien crime rates.
High cost of living can lead to economic stress for individuals and families, particularly those with limited financial resources. When people struggle to make ends meet due to high housing costs, healthcare expenses, or other basic necessities, they may be more inclined to engage in criminal activities, such as theft or fraud, as a means of financial survival. On the flipside, cities that have a lower cost of living, could see a reduced crime rate. In Burien, the cost of living is 45.64% higher than the national average.
In Burien, the ratio of police officers and civilians stands at 1.95 per 1,000 residents, contrasting with the national average of 3.25. This discrepancy highlights the potential impact of law enforcement and community policing on crime rates. The strength of their collaboration can serve as a deterrent to criminal behavior, fostering a safer environment. Effective law enforcement leans heavily on community policing strategies that prioritize the cultivation of trust and cooperation between police and residents. It's essential to recognize that the effectiveness of these efforts isn't solely tied to the quantity of officers but also hinges on the quality of their engagement with the community.
| Item | Burien | Washington | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 67 | 8,169 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 2.0 | 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 |
| Shadow Lake, WA | 2,445 | 51 | 387 | 438 |
| Lake Holm, WA | 3,461 | 62 | 470 | 532 |
| Meadowdale, WA | 3,259 | 62 | 470 | 532 |
| Maple Heights-Lake Desire, WA | 3,651 | 62 | 470 | 532 |
| Canterwood, WA | 3,134 | 62 | 470 | 532 |
| Sammamish, WA | 67,314 | 28 | 539 | 567 |
| Burien, WA | 53,010 | 425 | 3,394 | 3,820 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Grand Island, NE | 53,008 | 368 | 1,760 | 2,128 |
| Wheaton, MD | 53,031 | 430 | 2,099 | 2,530 |
| Coeur d'Alene, ID | 53,047 | 241 | 956 | 1,197 |
| La Crosse, WI | 53,074 | 391 | 3,712 | 4,103 |
| Logan, UT | 53,108 | 137 | 1,130 | 1,268 |
| Burien, WA | 53,010 | 425 | 3,394 | 3,820 |
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