A+
29%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
78%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
19%
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 peopleLake Oswego/100k peopleOregon/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime665n/a (estimate)1,6613,2782,324
Murder0n/a0.04.56.3
Rape10n/a25.040.640.0
Robbery3n/a7.568.666.1
Assault19n/a47.4228.7268.2
Violent crime32n/a (estimate)80342370
Burglary92n/a229.7360.7269.8
Theft471n/a1,176.22,023.01,401.9
Vehicle theft70n/a174.8551.5282.7
Property crime633n/a (estimate)1,5812,9351,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Lake Oswego, OR

Looking at the most recent crime report, the crime rate in Lake Oswego is 28.6% lower than the national average. These crimes fall into two primary categories: violent and property. Violent crimes encompass murder, rape, robbery and assault, while property crimes involve theft, vehicle theft and burglary. In Lake Oswego, there were 32 reported violent crimes, equivalent to 80 per 100,000 individuals, 78.4% lower than the national average. Additionally, there were 633 property crimes, amounting to 1581 per 100,000 residents, 19.1% lower than the U.S. average.

With only 80 incidents per 100,000 people, Lake Oswego boasts an exceptionally low rate of violent crimes, positioning it as one of the safest cities in the United States. Given these low violent crime rates, Lake Oswego has become an appealing destination for individuals in search of a secure and welcoming place to establish their new home.

Lake Oswego showcased a dedication to violent crime safety in its latest reported crime year by achieving a murder rate of 0. This accomplishment could indicate that it is a safe place for residents, but also provides a shining example to other urban areas endeavoring to create safer communities.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Lake Oswego?

AreaVibes conducted surveys inquiring about the safety perception of Lake Oswego residents. Out of the respondents (12 in total), 67% expressed a strong sense of security, believing that crime rates in Lake Oswego were low, and they felt comfortable walking alone at night. Conversely, 33% held a contrasting viewpoint, expressing concerns about safety in the area and feeling uncomfortable walking alone during the nighttime hours.

Is Lake Oswego a Safe Place to Live?

To determine if Lake Oswego is a safe place to live, let's take a look at the overall crime rate of the area, as well as the number of daily crimes. Lake Oswego has a total crime rate that is 29% lower than the national average per 100,000 residents. This results in a total of 1.82 daily crimes (0.09 violent daily crimes and 1.73 daily property crimes) in Lake Oswego.

Has Crime in Lake Oswego Increased Since Last Year?

Examining year-over-year crime data provides insights into short-term trends with regards to the crime activity in Lake Oswego. 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 Lake Oswego has decreased by 0.8%. Specifically, violent crime has decreased by 11.1%, while property crime has decreased by 0.2%. This data empowers individuals with a clearer understanding of the evolving safety landscape in Lake Oswego.

Potential Causes for Crime in Lake Oswego

Lake Oswego has a population density of 3650.1 people per square mile, while with the national average is 90.6 people per square mile. Cities characterized by high population density are frequently larger urban centers offering diverse economic prospects. Within these areas, income inequality may be accentuated, resulting in the coexistence of poverty and affluence. Such economic disparities can contribute to elevated property crimes and on occasion, violent crimes. Conversely, areas with low population density generally record lower Lake Oswego crime rates.

In Lake Oswego, 97.6% 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.

High rental costs can limit economic mobility, making it difficult for individuals to save money, invest in education, or access better job opportunities. This can perpetuate a cycle of poverty and increase the risk of involvement in criminal activities. In summary, high rental costs can create economic challenges, overcrowding, and neighborhood dynamics that may increase the likelihood of certain types of crime, particularly property crimes. In Lake Oswego, the average rental rates are $1,725 per month, compared to the national average of $949.

Lake Oswego crime map



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

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      Crime Quick Facts

      • Lake Oswego crime rates are 29% lower than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Lake Oswego are 78% lower than the national average
      • In Lake Oswego you have a 1 in 61 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Lake Oswego is safer than 66% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Lake Oswego has decreased by 1%

      Lake Oswego, OR Crime Quiz

         

        Safest Places to Live in and Around Lake Oswego

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        See all Lake Oswego poll results

        Daily Crime In Lake Oswego (per 100,000 people)

        The number of daily crimes per 100,000 residents in Lake Oswego, Oregon is displayed in the graph above. As you can see, the daily crimes for Lake Oswego are 1.97 times less than the Oregon average and 1.40 times less than the national level. Daily violent crimes in Lake Oswego are 4.28 times less than than Oregon and 4.63 times less than the national mean. While daily property crimes in Lake Oswego are 1.86 times less than than Oregon and 1.24 times less than the national average.

        How Safe is Lake Oswego (higher is better)

        How safe is Lake Oswego, Oregon compared to other cities in Oregon and the rest of the cities across the United States? The graphs above show that Lake Oswego is safer than 83% of the cities in Oregon and 66% of the cities in the United States. These results are calculated by analyzing all cities in Oregon and across the US as a whole and determining how many areas have a lower crime rate than Lake Oswego. Overall, Lake Oswego is ranked above average compared to all other cities across the United States.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Lake Oswego

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Lake Oswego is 1 in 1252
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Lake Oswego is 1 in 64
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Lake Oswego is 1 in 61
        Are you curious to know the likelihood of suffering from a crime in Lake Oswego? If you reside in Lake Oswego, the likelihood that you will become a victim of a violent crime is 1 in 1252. Violent crimes include: murder, sexual assault, robbery, and physical assault. There is a 1 in 64 change that you will become a victim of a property crime. These sorts of crimes against personal property include: burglary, theft, and auto theft. In total, the likelihood of being victimized by a crime in Lake Oswego, is 1 in 61.

        Year Over Year Crime In Lake Oswego (per 100,000 people)

        The year over year change in crime per 100,000 people helps to understand whether crime in Lake Oswego, OR is on the rise or declining. The violent crime rate in Lake Oswego has decreased by 11%, while the property crime rate in Lake Oswego has not changed year over year. Summing up the numbers, Lake Oswego has not changed with regards to total crimes year over year.

        Lake Oswego police department

        Item Lake Oswego Oregon National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)695,156558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents1.82.23.3
        There are a total of 69 Lake Oswego police officers. This results in 1.8 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 16.6% less than the Oregon average and 43.1% less than the National average.

        Sex offenders in Oregon

        State Total offenders Oregon /100K National /100K
        Oregon88324266
        There are a total of 883 sex offenders in Oregon. This yields a total of 24 sex offenders in Oregon per 100,000 residents which is 91% 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
        Stafford, OR1,94048412460
        Durham, OR1,76451438489
        King City, OR4,34579892972
        Mulino, OR2,1781109451,055
        Aurora, OR9221119491,059
        Raleigh Hills, OR6,6751119541,066
        West Haven-Sylvan, OR8,5051201,0301,150
        Lake Oswego, OR39,476801,5811,661

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Carol Stream, IL39,4472641,5501,814
        Los Banos, CA39,4433972,3612,758
        Columbia, TN39,5156822,0962,778
        Plant City, FL39,4375401,9612,502
        Meadow Woods, FL39,4243201,9362,256
        Lake Oswego, OR39,476801,5811,661
        Source: The Lake Oswego, OR 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.