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.

Umatilla Population: 7,215 1,131 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 106 Property Crime / 100k: 1,025 chance of being a victim: 1 in 88

Umatilla proudly holds the honor of being the safest city in Oregon. With only 1,131 crimes per 100,000 people, Umatilla has a crime rate that is 92% lower than the Oregon average. This equates to an average of 0.23 crimes per day and a 1 in 88 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 1,155 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 82 Property Crime / 100k: 1,073 chance of being a victim: 1 in 87

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 1,155 crimes per 100,000 people. When you dig deeper into the numbers, this translates to: 153 counts of burglary, 764 counts of theft, 156 counts of vehicle theft, 52 counts of assault, 11 counts of robbery, 19 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 1,173 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 136 Property Crime / 100k: 1,037 chance of being a victim: 1 in 85

With a population of 5,143 and a total crime rate of 1,173 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.

Cottage Grove Population: 10,302 1,233 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 292 Property Crime / 100k: 941 chance of being a victim: 1 in 81

With many parks and recreational activities readily available, Cottage Grove 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 1,233, 89% lower than the Oregon average. This amounts to 0.36 crimes per day and a 1 in 81 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 Cottage Grove a highly desirable and safe place to call home.

Canby Population: 17,860 1,282 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 122 Property Crime / 100k: 1,160 chance of being a victim: 1 in 78

Known for its friendly neighborhoods and proactive safety measures, Canby consistently ranks high in safety. In Canby, 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 1,282, which is 82% lower than the state average.

Molalla Population: 9,224 1,385 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 216 Property Crime / 100k: 1,169 chance of being a victim: 1 in 72

Molalla 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 1,385 crimes per 100,000 people, 90% lower than the Oregon average. Breaking down each category of crime, it comes out to: 177 reports of burglary, 815 reports of theft, 177 reports of vehicle theft, 157 reports of assault, 0 reports of robbery, 59 reports of rape and 0 reports of homicide.

St. Helens Population: 13,779 1,421 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 279 Property Crime / 100k: 1,142 chance of being a victim: 1 in 70

St. Helens ranks as the seventh safest city in Oregon and offers a peaceful retreat with minimal crime. With a 1 in 70 chance of becoming a victim of a crime and 0.56 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. St. Helens’s commitment to safety makes it one of the safest places in Oregon.

Lebanon Population: 17,144 1,434 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 180 Property Crime / 100k: 1,254 chance of being a victim: 1 in 70

Recognized for sprawling open spaces, outdoor recreational opportunities, and a growing economy, Lebanon 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 1,434 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.

Prineville Population: 10,429 1,459 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 250 Property Crime / 100k: 1,208 chance of being a victim: 1 in 69

Many safe cities implement comprehensive crime prevention programs that include educational initiatives, youth engagement activities, and public awareness campaigns. Prineville 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 1,459 crimes per 100,000 residents, which is 88% lower than the state average.

Silverton Population: 10,426 1,459 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 151 Property Crime / 100k: 1,309 chance of being a victim: 1 in 69

Completing the list as the 10th safest city in Oregon, is Silverton. With a low rate of crime that included 113 burglaries, 1,007 thefts, 188 vehicle thefts, 104 assaults, 9 robberies, 38 rapes and 0 homicides, the overall crime rate was 89% 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	Umatilla	7,215	106	1,025	1,131
2	West Linn	26,764	82	1,073	1,155
3	Philomath	5,143	136	1,037	1,173
4	Cottage Grove	10,302	292	941	1,233
5	Canby	17,860	122	1,160	1,282
6	Molalla	9,224	216	1,169	1,385
7	St. Helens	13,779	279	1,142	1,421
8	Lebanon	17,144	180	1,254	1,434
9	Prineville	10,429	250	1,208	1,459
10	Silverton	10,426	151	1,309	1,459
11	Milwaukie	21,086	130	1,338	1,467
12	Scappoose	7,436	148	1,345	1,493
13	Central Point	18,648	137	1,454	1,591
14	Independence	10,178	164	1,447	1,611
15	Monmouth	10,411	180	1,474	1,654
16	Lake Oswego	39,476	80	1,581	1,661
17	Junction City	6,140	161	1,505	1,666
18	Bend	97,032	151	1,586	1,737
19	Eagle Point	9,316	159	1,634	1,794
20	Winston	5,444	105	1,842	1,947
21	Brookings	6,475	276	1,744	2,020
22	Forest Grove	24,847	342	1,860	2,202
23	Dallas	16,612	278	1,963	2,242
24	Redmond	31,359	165	2,138	2,303
25	Sherwood	19,745	199	2,224	2,423
26	Stayton	8,199	245	2,254	2,499
27	Cornelius	12,767	432	2,105	2,538
28	Sutherlin	8,060	277	2,286	2,563
29	Oregon City	37,057	366	2,216	2,581
30	Milton-Freewater	7,044	421	2,163	2,585
31	McMinnville	34,466	298	2,300	2,598
32	Ashland	21,138	165	2,436	2,601
33	Baker City	9,786	263	2,349	2,612
34	La Grande	13,380	281	2,475	2,755
35	Keizer	39,408	195	2,569	2,765
36	Lincoln City	9,007	376	2,443	2,819
37	Hillsboro	108,026	296	2,567	2,863
38	Florence	9,037	137	2,743	2,880
39	Albany	54,442	188	2,764	2,951
40	Beaverton	98,567	306	2,735	3,041
41	Gladstone	12,316	201	2,846	3,047
42	Klamath Falls	21,509	511	2,583	3,094
43	Newport	10,767	375	2,934	3,309
44	Gresham	110,456	435	2,946	3,380
45	Hermiston	17,512	293	3,112	3,406
46	Springfield	62,729	323	3,280	3,604
47	Tillamook	5,308	226	3,500	3,726
48	Astoria	9,929	450	3,302	3,752
49	Eugene	170,457	377	3,415	3,792
50	Corvallis	58,612	207	3,660	3,866

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

Well Below nat. avg.
Below nat. avg.
Similar to nat. avg.
Above nat. avg.
Well above nat. avg.

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.