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C+

Is Ferndale, Washington Safe?

Population 17,559 · Safer than 42% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

Ferndale is a smaller community of 17,559 people with a C+ safety grade. Crime runs below the national average for violent offenses, and the overall rate sits at 198.8 per 1,000. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,441 per 100K.

Ferndale Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricFerndaleWashington AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate292.4318.6363.8
Property Crime Rate1695.52054.41,832.3
Murder Rate6.0--5.7
Assault Rate190.0--268.2
Theft Rate1441.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate290.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyC+

198.8 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC+

292/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeC+

1696/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Ferndale

Violent crime in Ferndale is below the national average. The rate of 292.4 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 1695.5 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,441 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Ferndale Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder6
01.1x national avgAvg: 5.7
Assault190
071% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery64
01.0x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary216
080% of avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,441
01.0x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft290
091% of avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Ferndale Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Ferndale
292.4
State
318.6
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Ferndale
1695.5
State
2054.4
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Ferndale Safety

Is Ferndale safe?
It depends on where in Ferndale you are. The city gets a C+ overall, with violent crime below the national average and property crime close to the national average. Some areas are safer than others.
What is the crime rate in Ferndale?
198.8 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 292.4 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 1695.5 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Ferndale safe for tourists?
Stick to well-traveled areas and you'll be fine. Ferndale has a C+ grade, so it's not the safest destination, but tourist areas generally see less violent crime than the citywide average suggests.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Ferndale?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Ferndale generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Ferndale police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Ferndale?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Ferndale's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a C+ grade overall.
How does Ferndale compare to other cities in Washington?
Middle of the pack for Washington. Ferndale isn't the safest option in the state, but it's not the most concerning either, ranking around the 47th percentile among Washington cities.
How safe is Ferndale to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is below the national average, which is encouraging. The upward trend in crime is concerning.
How bad is crime in Ferndale?
Mixed. Violent crime is below the national average, and property crime is close to the national average. It's not great, but it's not the worst either, landing at the 42th percentile nationally.
What is the violent crime rate in Ferndale?
292.4 per 100,000, which is 20% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (190), robbery (64), and murder (6.0) per 100,000.

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View all Washington city safety grades

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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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