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D-

Is Salem, Oregon Safe?

Population 181,779 · Safer than 11% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

Crime in Salem runs high. The city's D- grade puts it below 89% of US cities, with violent crime close to the national average. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,875 per 100K.

Salem Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricSalemOregon AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate361.0332.5363.8
Property Crime Rate2523.42078.01,832.3
Murder Rate7.0--5.7
Assault Rate207.0--268.2
Theft Rate1875.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate618.0--318.3

All rates per 100,000 residents. 2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report + Census Bureau population estimates.

Overall SafetyD-

288.4 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC-

361/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD-

2523/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Salem

Violent crime in Salem is close to the national average. The rate of 361.0 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2523.4 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,875 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Salem Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder7
01.2x national avgAvg: 5.7
Assault207
077% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery53
084% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary345
01.3x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,875
01.3x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft618
01.9x national avgAvg: 318.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. Vertical marker = national average.

How Salem Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Salem
361.0
State
332.5
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Salem
2523.4
State
2078.0
National
1832.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. National averages from 2023 FBI UCR data.

Frequently Asked Questions About Salem Safety

Is Salem safe?
Not especially. Salem earns a D- with a crime rate of 288.4 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs close to the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Salem?
288.4 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 361.0 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2523.4 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Salem safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Salem's D- grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,875 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Salem?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Salem generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Salem police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Salem?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Salem's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a D- grade overall.
How does Salem compare to other cities in Oregon?
Below average for the state. Salem ranks behind about 95% of Oregon cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.4x the national rate.
How safe is Salem to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is close to the national average, which is encouraging. The upward trend in crime is concerning.
How bad is crime in Salem?
Bad. A D- grade and 288.4 per-thousand rate put Salem below 89% of US cities. Violent crime at 361 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Salem?
361.0 per 100,000, which is 1% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (207), robbery (53), and murder (7.0) per 100,000.

Nearby Cities in Oregon

Similar-sized communities in Oregon. Compare crime rates across the state.

D-
See crime rates in Eugene178,618 pop · Grade D-
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See crime rates in Hillsboro111,126 pop · Grade D
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See crime rates in Bend107,342 pop · Grade C-
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See crime rates in Beaverton97,842 pop · Grade D-
C
See crime rates in Medford86,494 pop · Grade C
View all Oregon city safety grades

Looking for things to do? See activities, events and places in Salem

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2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report data and Census Bureau population estimates. Safety grades calculated using national and state-level crime rate distributions. Not a substitute for local law enforcement guidance.

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