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C

Is Kelso, Washington Safe?

Population 12,801 · Safer than 33% of US cities

Stable· 2023 FBI UCR data

Kelso is a smaller community of 12,801 people with a C safety grade. Crime runs below the national average for violent offenses, and the overall rate sits at 220.7 per 1,000. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,607 per 100K.

Kelso Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricKelsoWashington AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate248.1318.6363.8
Property Crime Rate1958.62054.41,832.3
Murder Rate3.0--5.7
Assault Rate142.0--268.2
Theft Rate1607.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate255.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyC

220.7 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeB-

248/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeC-

1959/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Kelso

Violent crime in Kelso is below the national average. The rate of 248.1 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 1958.6 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,607 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Kelso Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder3
053% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault142
053% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery38
060% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary271
01.0x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,607
01.1x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft255
080% of avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Kelso Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Kelso
248.1
State
318.6
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Kelso
1958.6
State
2054.4
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Kelso Safety

Is Kelso safe?
Not especially. Kelso earns a C with a crime rate of 220.7 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs below the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Kelso?
220.7 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 248.1 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 1958.6 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Kelso safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Kelso's C grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,607 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Kelso?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Kelso generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Kelso police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Kelso?
Crime rates have held steady in Kelso, without significant movement in either direction. The city maintains its C grade.
How does Kelso compare to other cities in Washington?
Middle of the pack for Washington. Kelso isn't the safest option in the state, but it's not the most concerning either, ranking around the 41th percentile among Washington cities.
How safe is Kelso to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is below the national average, which is encouraging. Rates have been stable.
How bad is crime in Kelso?
Bad. A C grade and 220.7 per-thousand rate put Kelso below 67% of US cities. Violent crime at 248 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Kelso?
248.1 per 100,000, which is 32% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (142), robbery (38), and murder (3.0) 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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