F
160%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
127%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
166%
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 peopleLakewood/100k peopleWashington/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime3,811n/a (estimate)6,0453,7322,324
Murder4n/a6.35.06.3
Rape34n/a53.939.240.0
Robbery112n/a177.786.866.1
Assault379n/a601.2244.7268.2
Violent crime529n/a (estimate)839376370
Burglary537n/a851.8563.0269.8
Theft1,749n/a2,774.32,154.01,401.9
Vehicle theft996n/a1,579.8639.3282.7
Property crime3,282n/a (estimate)5,2063,3561,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Lakewood, WA

The Lakewood crime rates are 160.1% 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 529 violent crimes in Lakewood (839 per 100,000 people), which is 126.9% higher than the national average and there were a total of 3282 property crimes (5206 per 100,000 residents) which is 166.4% higher than average.

Having a crime rate of 6045 per 100,000 residents, Lakewood experiences a crime rate that is 160.09% higher when compared to the national average, leading to one of the highest overall crime rates in the nation. It's important to clarify that this doesn't imply the entire city is unsafe. Like any area, Lakewood contains neighborhoods with varying safety levels and you can find areas that are notably safer than others, emphasizing the need for targeted crime prevention efforts and community engagement initiatives.

Lakewood ranks among the most perilous cities in the United States, bearing a violent crime rate of 839 per 100,000 people, positioning it within the lowest 10% of all U.S. cities reporting crime statistics. The odds of falling victim to violent crime in Lakewood stand at 1 in every 120 residents, emphasizing the pressing need for enhanced safety measures and community engagement to address this significant concern.

Lakewood has some of the highest property crime rates in the country with 5206 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 Lakewood is 1 in 20, which is far higher than the national average.

The surge in vehicle thefts is a concerning trend across the United States, and Lakewood is no exception, experiencing one of the nation's highest vehicle theft rates. Last year, Lakewood reported a total of 996 vehicle thefts, resulting in 1580 stolen vehicles per 100,000 people. This places the city in the lowest 10% tier among all cities, indicating that 90% of cities have less stolen vehicles. The probability of a vehicle being stolen stands at 1 in 64, underscoring the need for heightened vigilance and security measures.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Lakewood?

AreaVibes conducted surveys inquiring about the safety perception of Lakewood residents. Out of the respondents (66 in total), 18% expressed a strong sense of security, believing that crime rates in Lakewood were low, and they felt comfortable walking alone at night. Conversely, 82% held a contrasting viewpoint, expressing concerns about safety in the area and feeling uncomfortable walking alone during the nighttime hours.

Is Lakewood a Safe Place to Live?

To get a feel for the safety of living in Lakewood, it's essential to analyze both the overall crime rate and the daily incident count. Lakewood presents a total crime rate that is 160% higher than the national average per 100,000 residents. Consequently, Lakewood experiences an average of 10.44 daily crimes, comprising 1.45 violent incidents and 8.99 property-related offenses. This evaluation offers a comprehensive understanding of the safety landscape, aiding individuals in making informed decisions when considering relocation.

Has Crime in Lakewood Increased Since Last Year?

Year-over-year crime rates in Lakewood has increased by 11.1% in the last reported crime report. Comparing crime rates from one year to another offers some insight into whether or not Lakewood is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live. Crime rates are categorized by violent and property crime. Year-over-year violent crime has increased by 14.5%, while property crime has increased by 10.5%. This analysis equips individuals with crucial information for making informed decisions about living in Lakewood.

Potential Causes for Crime in Lakewood

In Lakewood, 83.7% 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 Lakewood, the cost of living is 14.76% 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.

In cities grappling with housing affordability challenges, crime can emerge as a prominent issue. Certain individuals and families may find themselves needing to reside in cramped or subpar housing conditions, elevating stress levels and potentially fueling domestic conflicts and associated criminal incidents. Lakewood has a median home price of $309,600, deviating from the national average of $184,700. Large disparities in housing costs can significantly impact the well-being of residents and the prevalence of crime within the community.

Lakewood crime map



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

      • Lakewood crime rates are 160% higher than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Lakewood are 127% higher than the national average
      • In Lakewood you have a 1 in 17 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Lakewood is safer than 3% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Lakewood has increased by 8%

      Lakewood, WA Crime Quiz

         

        Safest Places to Live in and Around Lakewood

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        See all Lakewood poll results

        Daily Crime In Lakewood (per 100,000 people)

        The chart above shows the number of daily crimes in Lakewood, WA per 100,000 people. In Lakewood, the number of daily crimes is projected to be 1.62 times more than the Washington average and 2.60 times more than the national average. The average number of daily violent crimes in Lakewood is 2.23 times more than the Washington average and 2.27 times more than the daily national average. With regards to property crimes, Lakewood has a daily crime rate that is 1.55 times more than the Washington average and 2.66 times more than the overall daily national average.

        How Safe is Lakewood (higher is better)

        What are the odds that you'll be safer in Lakewood, Washington compared to other areas of Washington, as well as the rest of America? When it comes down to it, is Lakewood safe? In the graphs above, it shows that Lakewood is safer than 2% of Washington cities, and 3% compared to all other cities across America. These statistics are calculated by taking a closer look at each city's crime rate in Washington, as well as the rest of the US. It is then determined which cities see less crime than Lakewood. At this time, Lakewood sees a below average rate of crime in comparison to other United States cities.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Lakewood

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Lakewood is 1 in 120
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Lakewood is 1 in 20
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Lakewood is 1 in 17
        Are you curious to know the likelihood of suffering from a crime in Lakewood? If you reside in Lakewood, the likelihood that you will become a victim of a violent crime is 1 in 120. Violent crimes include: murder, sexual assault, robbery, and physical assault. There is a 1 in 20 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 Lakewood, is 1 in 17.

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

        The year over year crime rate per 100,000 people for Lakewood is an accurate tool for tracking the rise and fall of crime, and in determining if living in Lakewood has become safer or more dangerous. The year over year data displayed in the graph shows that violent crimes have increased by 11% in Lakewood, while property crimes in Lakewood have increased by 8%. Total crime has increased by 8% year over year.

        Lakewood police department

        Item Lakewood Washington National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)1158,169558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents1.92.23.3
        There are a total of 115 Lakewood police officers. This results in 1.9 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 10.7% less than the Washington average and 40.5% 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
        Canterwood, WA3,07072639711
        Fox Island, WA3,61383741824
        McMillin, WA1,2361171,0451,162
        Grapeview, WA7031241,1061,230
        Anderson Island, WA1,5711281,1431,271
        Fife Heights, WA1,9191311,1711,302
        Lakewood, WA60,5648395,2066,045

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Wesley Chapel, FL60,5342731,6521,925
        Monterey Park, CA60,5972642,1032,367
        Leander, TX60,6133822,0332,415
        Marietta, GA60,6874402,4722,912
        Novi, MI60,43973838911
        Lakewood, WA60,5648395,2066,045
        Source: The Lakewood, 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.