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D+

Is Port Townsend, Washington Safe?

Population 10,678 · Safer than 21% of US cities

Stable· 2023 FBI UCR data

Port Townsend is a smaller community of 10,678 people with a D+ safety grade. Crime runs close to the national average for violent offenses, and the overall rate sits at 251.2 per 1,000. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,776 per 100K.

Port Townsend Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricPort TownsendWashington AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate386.9318.6363.8
Property Crime Rate2125.52054.41,832.3
Murder Rate4.0--5.7
Assault Rate283.0--268.2
Theft Rate1776.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate483.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD+

251.2 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeD+

387/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD+

2126/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Port Townsend

Violent crime in Port Townsend is close to the national average. The rate of 386.9 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2125.5 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,776 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Port Townsend Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder4
070% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault283
01.1x national avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery56
088% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary227
084% of avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,776
01.3x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft483
01.5x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Port Townsend Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Port Townsend
386.9
State
318.6
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Port Townsend
2125.5
State
2054.4
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Port Townsend Safety

Is Port Townsend safe?
Not especially. Port Townsend earns a D+ with a crime rate of 251.2 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 Port Townsend?
251.2 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 386.9 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2125.5 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Port Townsend safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Port Townsend's D+ grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,776 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Port Townsend?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Port Townsend generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Port Townsend police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Port Townsend?
Crime rates have held steady in Port Townsend, without significant movement in either direction. The city maintains its D+ grade.
How does Port Townsend compare to other cities in Washington?
Below average for the state. Port Townsend ranks behind about 79% of Washington cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.2x the national rate.
How safe is Port Townsend to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is close to the national average. Rates have been stable.
How bad is crime in Port Townsend?
Bad. A D+ grade and 251.2 per-thousand rate put Port Townsend below 79% of US cities. Violent crime at 387 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Port Townsend?
386.9 per 100,000, which is 6% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (283), robbery (56), and murder (4.0) 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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