F
337%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
335%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
337%
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 peopleTacoma/100k peopleWashington/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime22,230n/a (estimate)10,1493,7322,324
Murder41n/a18.75.06.3
Rape147n/a67.139.240.0
Robbery746n/a340.686.866.1
Assault2,592n/a1,183.4244.7268.2
Violent crime3,526n/a (estimate)1,610376370
Burglary2,381n/a1,087.1563.0269.8
Theft10,422n/a4,758.32,154.01,401.9
Vehicle theft5,901n/a2,694.2639.3282.7
Property crime18,704n/a (estimate)8,5403,3561,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Tacoma, WA

When we analyze the latest crime report, the Tacoma crime rate is 336.7% higher than the national average. These incidents are classified into two primary categories: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes include assault, robbery, rape and murder. Whereas property crimes encompass theft, vehicle theft and burglary. In the case of Tacoma, there were 3526 reported violent crimes, equivalent to 1610 per 100,000 individuals, 335.3% higher than the national average. Additionally, Tacoma recorded 18704 property crimes, amounting to 8540 per 100,000 residents, 336.9% higher than the U.S. average.

Tacoma has a crime rate of 10149 per 100,000 people, which surpasses the national average by 336.69%, 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 Tacoma. 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.

Tacoma is one of the most dangerous cities in America with a violent crime rate of 1610 per 100,000 people - this ranks in the bottom 10% of all U.S. cities that reported crime. Your chance of being a victim of violent crime in Tacoma is 1 in 63.

Although the murder rates in America have decreased steadily since 1990, over the last few years there has been an uptick. Tacoma has one of the highest murder rates in the country when compared to all other cities that reported crime in the U.S. There were a total of 41 murders in Tacoma, which is 19 murders per 100,000 people.

With a property crime rate of 8540 crimes per 100,000 people, Tacoma unfortunately has the distinction of being among the bottom 10% of all U.S. cities reporting crime. The likelihood of falling victim to property crime in Tacoma is alarmingly high, estimated at 1 in 12, significantly surpassing the national average. This data emphasizes the city's pressing need for concerted efforts to address and reduce property crime, ensuring a safer environment for its residents.

Recently, vehicle thefts have seen an upward trend across the United States, and Tacoma ranks among the cities with the highest vehicle theft rates in the country. Last year, there were 5901 vehicle thefts, amounting to 2694 stolen vehicles per 100,000 residents. This places Tacoma within the worst 10% of all cities, indicating that 90% of cities fare better in terms of vehicle theft rates. The likelihood of your vehicle being stolen stands at 1 in 38.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Tacoma?

AreaVibes has conducted polls asking local residents if they feel safe living in Tacoma. Based on the results of the surveys (190 responses), 29% of people felt that there was very little crime in Tacoma and felt safe walking alone at night. While 71% of people felt that it was not a safe place to live and did not feel safe walking alone at night.

Is Tacoma a Safe Place to Live?

Before you decide to relocate, it’s always good to ask yourself “Is Tacoma a safe place to live?” Although the answer might not be that simple, as some areas are safer than others, getting a good feel for the overall rate of crime can definitely be helpful. Overall, the Tacoma crime rate is 337% higher than the national average. If we break that down daily, that translates into 60.9 crimes per day - 9.66 violent crimes and 51.24 property crimes.

Has Crime in Tacoma Increased Since Last Year?

In the most recent crime report, year-over-year crime rates in Tacoma has increased by 26.4%. Examining the change in crime rates from one year to the next provides valuable insights into the evolving safety landscape of Tacoma, aiding residents in assessing whether it is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live. These crime rates are categorized into two primary groups: violent and property crimes. Year-over-year, violent crime has increased by 34.3%, while property crime has increased by 25%. This comprehensive analysis offers potential residents essential information for making informed decisions about whether or not Tacoma is a safe place to live.

Tacoma Neighborhood Crime Rates

The Tacoma region comprises an array of over 9 distinct neighborhoods, each characterized by its unique crime rate influenced by factors including location and socioeconomic conditions. Typically, neighborhoods situated near the city center or downtown core exhibit higher crime rates owing to their higher population density. Conversely, neighborhoods on the city's outskirts tend to boast lower population density, along with reduced unemployment and poverty rates, contributing to a safer environment. Among the secure neighborhoods in Tacoma are exemplars such as Northeast Tacoma, North End and West End, whereas Central, South End and South Tacoma grapple with an above-average reported crime rate. This underscores the necessity for thorough evaluation across multiple neighborhoods, given their notable variations in crime rates.

Potential Causes for Crime in Tacoma

Tacoma has a poverty rate that stands at 13.8, in contrast to the national average of 15.1. Historically, a direct correlation has been observed between poverty rates and crime stats. Higher poverty rates have led to higher crime rates, while lower poverty rates have led to a reduction in Tacoma crime rates. Income disparities and heightened poverty levels can serve as catalysts for elevated or reduced criminal activity, as individuals may or may not turn to illicit means to fulfill their basic needs. This could be one of many factors that may influence crime.

In areas where employment options are limited or where a significant proportion of jobs offer meager wages, the likelihood of heightened unemployment and homelessness increases. Regions facing challenges related to unemployment or inadequate income may become more vulnerable to a surge in crime stemming from economic instability. While low unemployment rates tend to lead to reduced crime in most areas. Tacoma currently has an unemployment rate of 3.2%, contrasting with the national average of 4.7%. This could be one of many factors that could contribute to a higher or lower crime rate.

In areas where housing affordability is an issue, crime can become a significant concern. Some individuals and families may be forced to live in overcrowded or substandard housing conditions, which can increase stress and potentially contribute to domestic disputes and related crimes. The median home price in Tacoma is $311,700, compared to a national average of $184,700.

Tacoma crime map



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

  • Tacoma crime rates are 337% higher than the national average
  • Violent crimes in Tacoma are 335% higher than the national average
  • In Tacoma you have a 1 in 10 chance of becoming a victim of crime
  • Tacoma is safer than 0% of the cities in the United States
  • Year over year crime in Tacoma has increased by 28%

Tacoma, WA Crime Quiz

     

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        Daily Crime In Tacoma (per 100,000 people)

        The number of daily crimes per 100,000 residents in Tacoma, Washington is displayed in the graph above. As you can see, the daily crimes for Tacoma are 2.72 times more than the Washington average and 4.37 times more than the national level. Daily violent crimes in Tacoma are 4.29 times more than than Washington and 4.35 times more than the national mean. While daily property crimes in Tacoma are 2.54 times more than than Washington and 4.37 times more than the national average.

        How Safe is Tacoma (higher is better)

        Is Tacoma safe in comparison to other cities in the state of Washington as well as in comparison to the rest of the areas across the United States. Using the gauges above, which compare crime in Tacoma to other cities in the state and across the country, Tacoma is 0% safer than other cities of Washington and 0% safer than other cities in the nation. Tacoma has a ranks below average in comparison to other cities in the country.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Tacoma

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Tacoma is 1 in 63
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Tacoma is 1 in 12
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Tacoma is 1 in 10
        Are you at risk of becoming a victim of crime in Tacoma, Washington? If you reside in Tacoma, then there is a 1 in 63 chance that you will experience a violent crime. These types of crimes may include homicide, sexual assault, robbery, and physical assault. Your risk of being a victim of property crime is 1 in 12. These types of crime include burglary, petty theft, and theft of motor vehicles. Altogether, there is a 1 in 10 risk that you will become a victim of crime in Tacoma.

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

        The year over year change in crime per 100,000 people helps to understand whether crime in Tacoma, WA is on the rise or declining. The violent crime rate in Tacoma has increased by 36%, while the property crime rate in Tacoma has increased by 27% year over year. Summing up the numbers, Tacoma has increased by 28% with regards to total crimes year over year.

        Tacoma police department

        Item Tacoma Washington National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)3948,169558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents1.92.23.3
        There are a total of 394 Tacoma police officers. This results in 1.9 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 10.3% less than the Washington average and 40.2% 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
        Purdy, WA1,5311281,1421,270
        Anderson Island, WA1,5711281,1431,271
        Fife Heights, WA1,9191311,1711,302
        Tacoma, WA215,7661,6108,54010,149

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Des Moines, IA215,4084281,9932,421
        San Bernardino, CA216,7841,1862,9554,141
        Enterprise, NV214,5914182,1912,609
        Modesto, CA214,4857622,4033,165
        Spring Valley, NV218,6976263,2823,908
        Tacoma, WA215,7661,6108,54010,149
        Source: The Tacoma, 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.