Safest cities in Oregon

Known as the 'Beaver State,' Oregon is celebrated for its stunning natural beauty, vibrant culture, and diverse landscapes. Located in the Pacific Northwest, Oregon offers a variety of terrains, including the rugged coastline, dense forests, and the Cascade Mountains. The state's economy is robust, driven by industries such as technology, agriculture, tourism, and manufacturing. Portland, the state's largest city, is a cultural and economic hub known for its thriving arts scene, innovative culinary culture, and progressive values. Oregon is also home to numerous outdoor recreational opportunities, from hiking and skiing to wine tasting in the Willamette Valley and exploring the many state parks and natural reserves.

Low crime rates are essential for ensuring high livability, making the safest cities in Oregon particularly appealing for residents. Safety enhances community well-being and economic prosperity, providing a secure environment for families, businesses, and visitors. Contributing factors to the safety of Oregon's cities include effective law enforcement, community engagement, and comprehensive public safety programs. The rankings of these cities are based on total crime per 100,000 people, offering a transparent and reliable metric. This emphasis on safety allows residents to fully appreciate Oregon's natural beauty, cultural richness, and economic opportunities without the overshadowing concern of crime, making it an attractive place to call home.

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Molalla Population: 9,224 825 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 129 Property Crime / 100k: 696 chance of being a victim: 1 in 121
Molalla proudly holds the honor of being the safest city in Oregon. With only 825 crimes per 100,000 people, Molalla has a crime rate that is 90% lower than the Oregon average. This equates to an average of 0.23 crimes per day and a 1 in 121 chance of becoming a victim of a crime. The city's well-funded police department, active neighborhood watch programs, and community engagement initiatives contribute significantly to its low crime rates, making it an ideal place for families and retirees.
West Linn Population: 26,764 834 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 57 Property Crime / 100k: 777 chance of being a victim: 1 in 120
Known for its tight-knight community and safe environment, West Linn comes in at #2 on our list of the safest cities in Oregon with a crime rate of 834 crimes per 100,000 people. When you dig deeper into the numbers, this translates to: 99 counts of burglary, 633 counts of theft, 45 counts of vehicle theft, 38 counts of assault, 8 counts of robbery, 11 counts of rape and 0 counts of homicide. The commitment to safety in West Linn, makes it one of the safest and most livable areas in the state.
Philomath Population: 5,143 889 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 86 Property Crime / 100k: 804 chance of being a victim: 1 in 112
With a population of 5,143 and a total crime rate of 889 per 100,000 residents, Philomath is the 3rd safest city in Oregon. Exhibiting a total crime rate that is 94% lower than the Oregon average, the commitment to safety is evident in its multifaceted crime prevention strategies. The local government collaborates closely with residents through regular community meetings and feedback sessions to address safety concerns. The end result, is an incredibly safe place to live.
Prineville Population: 10,429 971 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 241 Property Crime / 100k: 730 chance of being a victim: 1 in 103
With many parks and recreational activities readily available, Prineville is a growing community where residents can enjoy the outdoors. Residents also feel safe, knowing that the overall crime rate per 100,000 people is 971, 88% lower than the Oregon average. This amounts to 0.32 crimes per day and a 1 in 103 chance of becoming a victim of a crime. Strong community partnerships between local businesses, schools, and law enforcement further enhance the city’s security. These combined efforts make Prineville a highly desirable and safe place to call home.
Monmouth Population: 10,411 1,079 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 133 Property Crime / 100k: 946 chance of being a victim: 1 in 93
Known for its friendly neighborhoods and proactive safety measures, Monmouth consistently ranks high in safety. In Monmouth, the focus on community policing ensures that officers are integrated into the community, building strong relationships with residents. Crime prevention education, offered through schools and local organizations, empowers residents to take an active role in maintaining their safety. With everything working asynchronously, the total crime rate comes in at 1,079, which is 89% lower than the state average.
Talent Population: 6,553 1,089 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 268 Property Crime / 100k: 820 chance of being a victim: 1 in 92
Talent has lots to offer its residents, including safety as it comes in at #6 on our list of the safest cities in Oregon. The total crime rate from the year that it was last reported was 1,089 crimes per 100,000 people, 94% lower than the Oregon average. Breaking down each category of crime, it comes out to: 63 reports of burglary, 741 reports of theft, 16 reports of vehicle theft, 252 reports of assault, 0 reports of robbery, 16 reports of rape and 0 reports of homicide.
Canby Population: 17,860 1,114 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 213 Property Crime / 100k: 901 chance of being a victim: 1 in 90
Canby ranks as the seventh safest city in Oregon and offers a peaceful retreat with minimal crime. With a 1 in 90 chance of becoming a victim of a crime and 0.55 crimes per day (per 100,000 people), the area has a safety record that speaks for itself. Active involvement from its residents, such as neighborhood patrols and community safety workshops, fosters a strong sense of community and vigilance. Canby’s commitment to safety makes it one of the safest places in Oregon.
Central Point Population: 18,648 1,146 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 172 Property Crime / 100k: 974 chance of being a victim: 1 in 87
Recognized for sprawling open spaces, outdoor recreational opportunities, and a growing economy, Central Point is the 8th safest city in Oregon. Continuously ranking as one of the safest cities in the state, the crime rate came in at 81% lower than the Oregon average, reporting a total of 1,146 crimes per 100,000 people. The city places a strong emphasis on public safety through various initiatives that promote collaboration between residents and local authorities. Regular community safety events and lots of outdoor spaces, coupled with an accessible and responsive police force, ensure that residents feel safe and supported.
Lake Oswego Population: 39,476 1,166 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 66 Property Crime / 100k: 1,100 chance of being a victim: 1 in 86
Many safe cities implement comprehensive crime prevention programs that include educational initiatives, youth engagement activities, and public awareness campaigns. Lake Oswego is a great example of such a city and continually ranks as one of the safest communities in Oregon, based on the annual review of the FBI uniform crime report. Statistically speaking, there were a total of 1,166 crimes per 100,000 residents, which is 60% lower than the state average.
Umatilla Population: 7,215 1,192 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 216 Property Crime / 100k: 977 chance of being a victim: 1 in 84
Completing the list as the 10th safest city in Oregon, is Umatilla. With a low rate of crime that included 101 burglaries, 698 thefts, 178 vehicle thefts, 140 assaults, 13 robberies, 51 rapes and 13 homicides, the overall crime rate was 92% lower than the state average. Cities with engaged citizens and responsive government bodies are more likely to implement effective policies and practices that promote safety and address residents’ concerns.

Full list of the safest cities in Oregon

Rank Location Population Violent Crimes /100k Property Crimes /100k Total Crimes /100k 
1 Molalla 9,224 129 696 825
2 West Linn 26,764 57 777 834
3 Philomath 5,143 86 804 889
4 Prineville 10,429 241 730 971
5 Monmouth 10,411 133 946 1,079
6 Talent 6,553 268 820 1,089
7 Canby 17,860 213 901 1,114
8 Central Point 18,648 172 974 1,146
9 Lake Oswego 39,476 66 1,100 1,166
10 Umatilla 7,215 216 977 1,192
11 Lebanon 17,144 144 1,052 1,196
12 St. Helens 13,779 274 924 1,197
13 Independence 10,178 281 958 1,238
14 Brookings 6,475 135 1,325 1,460
15 Bend 97,032 168 1,362 1,530
16 Oregon City 37,057 231 1,325 1,556
17 Sandy 11,319 61 1,518 1,580
18 Sherwood 19,745 131 1,520 1,651
19 McMinnville 34,466 226 1,428 1,655
20 Forest Grove 24,847 337 1,367 1,704
21 Milwaukie 21,086 193 1,527 1,720
22 Eagle Point 9,316 203 1,571 1,773
23 Gladstone 12,316 195 1,677 1,871
24 Cornelius 12,767 323 1,602 1,925
25 Sutherlin 8,060 299 1,634 1,933
26 Astoria 9,929 323 1,633 1,956
27 Winston 5,444 88 1,897 1,985
28 Milton-Freewater 7,044 217 1,777 1,994
29 Ashland 21,138 253 1,766 2,019
30 Albany 54,442 196 1,831 2,027
31 Keizer 39,408 146 1,911 2,057
32 Florence 9,037 84 2,134 2,218
33 Cottage Grove 10,302 273 1,957 2,230
34 Stayton 8,199 292 1,970 2,262
35 Dallas 16,612 263 2,082 2,345
36 Hood River 7,745 132 2,266 2,398
37 Lincoln City 9,007 497 1,948 2,445
38 Redmond 31,359 218 2,345 2,563
39 Corvallis 58,612 184 2,512 2,695
40 Tillamook 5,308 366 2,352 2,718
41 Hillsboro 108,026 318 2,429 2,747
42 Madras 6,934 434 2,363 2,797
43 Gresham 110,456 410 2,427 2,837
44 Tualatin 27,601 220 2,623 2,844
45 Sweet Home 9,763 174 2,673 2,847
46 Newport 10,767 246 2,672 2,919
47 La Grande 13,380 255 2,669 2,924
48 The Dalles 15,518 369 2,559 2,928
49 Beaverton 98,567 365 2,661 3,026
50 Pendleton 16,685 409 2,681 3,090

Methodology

The AreaVibes list of the safest cities in Oregon is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reporting program (UCR Program) from their most recent release. To compile this list, we used violent crime (assualt, robbery, rape and murder) and property crime data (burglary, theft, vehicle theft) per 100,000 people and only included Oregon cities with a population of 5,000 or more. Displaying crime rates based on a population of 100,000 allows for an equal comparison for each city.

Map of Crime by State

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The interactive map above is a powerful tool for discovering the safest cities in each state across the USA. By highlighting states with the lowest total crime rates, this map provides valuable insights into the factors contributing to these statistics. It showcases urban centers with thriving economies, regions boasting solid job markets, and areas with low unemployment, all of which correlate with reduced crime rates. By clicking on each state, you can dive deeper into information about their safest cities and explore detailed crime statistics that paint a clearer picture of safety across the nation.