F
158%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
24%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
183%
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 peopleKent/100k peopleWashington/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime7,967n/a (estimate)5,9873,7322,324
Murder9n/a6.85.06.3
Rape73n/a54.939.240.0
Robbery209n/a157.186.866.1
Assault320n/a240.5244.7268.2
Violent crime611n/a (estimate)459376370
Burglary1,545n/a1,161.1563.0269.8
Theft3,802n/a2,857.22,154.01,401.9
Vehicle theft2,009n/a1,509.8639.3282.7
Property crime7,356n/a (estimate)5,5283,3561,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Kent, WA

Crime is typically categorized into two main types: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes encompass offenses such as murder, rape, robbery, and assault, while property crimes include burglary, theft, and vehicle theft. Based on the most recent report, the Kent crime rate is higher than the national average by 157.6%. Specifically, there were 611 violent crimes in Kent, equivalent to 459 per 100,000 individuals, higher than the national average by 24.2%. Furthermore, Kent recorded 7356 property crimes, amounting to 5528 per 100,000 residents, which was higher than the average by 182.9%.

Kent has a crime rate of 5987 per 100,000 people, which surpasses the national average by 157.6%, leading to one of the highest total crime rates in the United States. Addressing this issue is vital for improving overall safety and desirability of Kent. Efforts to reduce crime through community engagement, effective law enforcement, and collaborative initiatives are essential to create a more secure and appealing environment for residents and prospective newcomers alike.

Every year, one in 19 people fall victim to a property crime in Kent - which is high compared to the national average. With a property crime rate of 5528 per 100,000 people, Kent 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.

Vehicle thefts across all of America are on the rise and Kent has one of the highest vehicle theft rates in the country. In the most recent crime report, Kent reported 2009 vehicle thefts, which equates to 1510 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 Kent is 1 in 67.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Kent?

AreaVibes has conducted polls asking local residents if they feel safe living in Kent. Based on the results of the surveys (108 responses), 13% of people felt that there was very little crime in Kent and felt safe walking alone at night. While 87% of people felt that it was not a safe place to live and did not feel safe walking alone at night.

Is Kent a Safe Place to Live?

Is Kent a safe place to live? While the answer may not be straightforward due to variations in safety levels across the city, gaining an understanding of the overall crime rate can prove to be advantageous. In general, Kent has a crime rate that is higher than the national average by 158%. Breaking this down on a daily basis, it translates to 21.83 daily incidents, encompassing 1.67 violent crimes and 20.15 property crimes. Evaluating these statistics can aid in forming a more informed perspective on the safety of Kent as a potential place to call home.

Has Crime in Kent Increased Since Last Year?

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 Kent 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 Kent has increased by 11.5% year over year. Violent crime has increased by 16.6% and property crime has increased by 11.1%.

Potential Causes for Crime in Kent

In Kent, the current unemployment rate stands at 4.7%, diverging from the national average of 4.7%. 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 Kent 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 Kent, the cost of living is 21.85% higher than the national average.

The impact of law enforcement and community policing efforts plays a crucial role in shaping crime rates in any city. A robust and cooperative bond between law enforcement and the community can serve as a deterrent to criminal activities, enhancing overall safety. In Kent, the ratio of police officers and civilians per 1,000 residents stands at 1.48, differing from the national average of 3.25. Effective law enforcement hinges not solely on officer numbers but also on the manner in which they interact and collaborate with the community. Building trust and cooperation are central tenets of community policing, amplifying its influence on crime prevention.

Kent crime map



The Kent crime map provides a detailed overview of all crimes in Kent 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 Kent crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the Kent 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 Kent, WA Crime

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      Crime Quick Facts

      • Kent crime rates are 158% higher than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Kent are 24% higher than the national average
      • In Kent you have a 1 in 17 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Kent is safer than 9% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Kent has increased by 11%

      Kent, WA Crime Quiz

         

        Safest Places to Live in and Around Kent

        See all the best places to live around Kent
        How would you rate the amount of crime in Kent?
        Write a review to give others more information about this area.
        Do you feel safe walking alone at night in Kent?
        Write a review to give others more information about this area.
        See all Kent poll results

        Daily Crime In Kent (per 100,000 people)

        The bar chart above reveals the rate of daily crimes in Kent for every 100,000 residents. The Kent total amount of daily crime is 1.60 times more than the Washington average and 2.58 times more than than that of the nation. As for violent crimes, the daily average in Kent, is 1.22 times more than the Washington average, and it is 1.24 times more than the national average. The statistics for property crimes show that Kent has a daily crime average that is 1.65 times more than the Washington average and 2.83 times more than the daily national rate.

        How Safe is Kent (higher is better)

        When comparing the safety of Kent to every other city in Washington, as well as the entirety of the United States, is Kent safe? The gauges above illustrate that Kent is safer than 8% of every city located within Washington along with 9% of the all the cities located in the United States. The results of these graphs are created after analyzing each of the cities in Washington and in the United States as a whole. As a result, Kent, WA is ranked above average when compared to the rest of the US cities.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Kent

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Kent is 1 in 218
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Kent is 1 in 19
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Kent is 1 in 17
        Interested in knowing the odds that you will be a crime victim in Kent? In Kent, you have a 1 in 218 chance of falling victim to a violent crime, such as rape, robbery, assault, or even murder. In terms of property crime, your chances of being a victim are 1 in 19. These crimes include theft, vehicle theft, and burglary. Your overall chance of being a victim of crime in Kent, WA is 1 in 17.

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

        The year over year crime rate per 100,000 people for Kent is an accurate tool for tracking the rise and fall of crime, and in determining if living in Kent has become safer or more dangerous. The year over year data displayed in the graph shows that violent crimes have increased by 16% in Kent, while property crimes in Kent have increased by 10%. Total crime has increased by 11% year over year.

        Kent police department

        Item Kent Washington National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)1818,169558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents1.52.23.3
        There are a total of 181 Kent police officers. This results in 1.5 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 31.6% less than the Washington average and 54.4% less than the National average.

        Sex offenders in Washington

        State Total offenders Washington /100K National /100K
        Washington6,688107266
        There are a total of 6,688 sex offenders in Washington. This yields a total of 107 sex offenders in Washington per 100,000 residents which is 60% less than the national average.

        Nearby Cities With Low Crime Rates

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Browns Point, WA96153471524
        Mirrormont, WA4,10272639711
        Fall City, WA2,35781722802
        Shadow Lake, WA2,38585762847
        Lake Holm, WA3,33289798887
        Ravensdale, WA81495846941
        Sammamish, WA65,26559917977
        Kent, WA130,0384595,5285,987

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Stamford, CT130,0571931,1691,362
        New Haven, CT130,3815553,1013,656
        Concord, CA129,2276442,8003,444
        Round Rock, TX128,8121692,3042,473
        Elizabeth, NJ128,4844802,5523,032
        Kent, WA130,0384595,5285,987
        Source: The Kent, WA 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.