F
103%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
41%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
115%
Property crime NAT. AVG.
Search Homes for Sale
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 peopleOlympia/100k peopleWashington/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime2,656n/a (estimate)4,7253,7322,324
Murder2n/a3.65.06.3
Rape31n/a55.139.240.0
Robbery84n/a149.486.866.1
Assault176n/a313.1244.7268.2
Violent crime293n/a (estimate)521376370
Burglary344n/a611.9563.0269.8
Theft1,661n/a2,954.82,154.01,401.9
Vehicle theft358n/a636.9639.3282.7
Property crime2,363n/a (estimate)4,2043,3561,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Olympia, WA

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 Olympia is 103.3% higher than the national average. Specifically, there were 293 violent crimes reported in Olympia, equivalent to 521 per 100,000 residents, which is higher than the national average by 41%. Additionally, Olympia recorded 2363 property crimes, amounting to 4204 per 100,000 people, higher than the national average by 115.1%.

Olympia has a crime rate of 4725 per 100,000 people, which surpasses the national average by 103.29%, 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 Olympia. 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.

Olympia reports one of the nation's highest property crime rates, with 4204 incidents per 100,000 people, positioning it among the worst 10% of American cities reporting crime. This unfortunate statistic translates to a 1 in 24 chance of falling victim to property crime in Olympia, significantly surpassing the national average. These figures underscore the city's challenges in combating property-related offenses, necessitating a concerted effort to enhance security and community safety.

Vehicle thefts across all of America are on the rise and Olympia has one of the highest vehicle theft rates in the country. In the most recent crime report, Olympia reported 358 vehicle thefts, which equates to 637 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 Olympia is 1 in 158.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Olympia?

What is the prevailing sentiment among Olympia residents regarding the state of crime? A comprehensive survey conducted by AreaVibes, involving 90 respondents, sheds light on this matter. The results were as follows: 28% of Olympia residents expressed a notable sense of security, asserting that crime was virtually non-existent in their community, and they felt at ease strolling the streets after dark. While, 72% of those surveyed held a contrasting viewpoint, perceiving a higher incidence of crime, leading them to feel apprehensive about walking alone at night.

Is Olympia a Safe Place to Live?

To get a feel for the safety of living in Olympia, it's essential to analyze both the overall crime rate and the daily incident count. Olympia presents a total crime rate that is 103% higher than the national average per 100,000 residents. Consequently, Olympia experiences an average of 7.28 daily crimes, comprising 0.8 violent incidents and 6.47 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 Olympia Increased Since Last Year?

Year-over-year crime rates in Olympia has increased by 13.9% in the last reported crime report. Comparing crime rates from one year to another offers some insight into whether or not Olympia 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 19.6%, while property crime has increased by 13.2%. This analysis equips individuals with crucial information for making informed decisions about living in Olympia.

Olympia Neighborhood Crime Rates

Typically, densely populated areas in close proximity to the city center tend to experience higher crime rates compared to neighborhoods that are situated on the city's periphery. Olympia, an expansive urban metropolis, has more than 25 distinct neighborhoods, each bearing its unique crime rate characteristics. The prevalence of criminal activity varies significantly among these neighborhoods. Noteworthy among safest neighborhoods in Olympia are areas such as Nottingham, Holiday Hills and Cain Road, which provide residents with enhanced security and peace of mind. Conversely, neighborhoods like Fain Park, South Westside and Bigelow are marked by a higher incidence of reported crimes, warranting prudent consideration for those seeking to avoid areas with potentially elevated safety concerns.

Potential Causes for Crime in Olympia

The economic prosperity of a city's inhabitants exerts substantial influence on crime stats. Elevated poverty rates and income inequality can precipitate heightened criminal activity, as individuals may turn to illicit means to fulfill their fundamental requirements. While lower poverty rates could lead to lower Olympia crime rates. In Olympia, the poverty rate stands at 14.7%, diverging from the national average of 15.1%.

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 Olympia, the cost of living is 14.99% higher than the national average.

In Olympia, the average rental rates are $1,199 per month, compared to the national average of $949. Rapid increases in rental costs can lead to neighborhood instability as residents are forced to move frequently in search of more affordable housing. This transience can weaken community bonds and hinder the establishment of social support networks, which can indirectly contribute to crime. While affordable rent and areas with higher income per capita, allow for long term renters and community bonds to the formed, therefore reducing crime rates on the long term.

Olympia crime map



The Olympia crime map provides a detailed overview of all crimes in Olympia 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 Olympia crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the Olympia 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.
New Real Estate Listings in Olympia Area
Search Homes for Sale in Olympia, WA

Compare Olympia, WA Crime

      vs

      Crime Quick Facts

      • Olympia crime rates are 103% higher than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Olympia are 41% higher than the national average
      • In Olympia you have a 1 in 22 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Olympia is safer than 10% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Olympia has increased by 10%

      Olympia, WA Crime Quiz

         

        Safest Places to Live in and Around Olympia

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

        Daily Crime In Olympia (per 100,000 people)

        The chart above shows the number of daily crimes in Olympia, WA per 100,000 people. In Olympia, the number of daily crimes is projected to be 1.27 times more than the Washington average and 2.03 times more than the national average. The average number of daily violent crimes in Olympia is 1.39 times more than the Washington average and 1.41 times more than the daily national average. With regards to property crimes, Olympia has a daily crime rate that is 1.25 times more than the Washington average and 2.15 times more than the overall daily national average.

        How Safe is Olympia (higher is better)

        How safe is Olympia, Washington compared to other cities in Washington and the rest of the cities across the United States? The graphs above show that Olympia is safer than 12% of the cities in Washington and 10% of the cities in the United States. These results are calculated by analyzing all cities in Washington and across the US as a whole and determining how many areas have a lower crime rate than Olympia. Overall, Olympia is ranked below average compared to all other cities across the United States.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Olympia

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Olympia is 1 in 192
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Olympia is 1 in 24
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Olympia is 1 in 22
        Interested in knowing the odds that you will be a crime victim in Olympia? In Olympia, you have a 1 in 192 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 24. These crimes include theft, vehicle theft, and burglary. Your overall chance of being a victim of crime in Olympia, WA is 1 in 22.

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

        A good indicator of whether Olympia is becoming a safer or a more dangerous place to live can be determined by analyzing the year over year crime rate (per 100,000 people). The number of violent crimes in Olympia has increased by 16%, while the property crime rate in Olympia has increased by 9% year over year. The number of total crimes in Olympia has increased by 10% year over year.

        Olympia police department

        Item Olympia Washington National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)848,169558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents1.82.23.3
        There are a total of 84 Olympia police officers. This results in 1.8 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 18.8% less than the Washington average and 45.9% 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
        Fox Island, WA3,61383741824
        Anderson Island, WA1,5711281,1431,271
        Steilacoom, WA6,366751,3601,435
        Rochester, WA4,8541701,5201,690
        Tenino, WA1,7441831,6331,816
        Rainier, WA2,6031961,7511,947
        North Yelm, WA3,7382141,9072,121
        Olympia, WA52,2905214,2044,725

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Stratford, CT52,3001131,8601,972
        Edina, MN52,215921,9772,069
        Watsonville, CA52,3985861,8622,448
        Queen Creek, AZ52,1621459931,138
        Oak Park, IL52,1023283,0123,340
        Olympia, WA52,2905214,2044,725
        Source: The Olympia, 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.