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C

Is University Place, Washington Safe?

Population 35,479 · Safer than 37% of US cities

Stable· 2023 FBI UCR data

University Place is a smaller community of 35,479 people with a C safety grade. Crime runs below the national average for violent offenses, and the overall rate sits at 209.2 per 1,000. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,510 per 100K.

University Place Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricUniversity PlaceWashington AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate298.7318.6363.8
Property Crime Rate1793.12054.41,832.3
Murder Rate5.0--5.7
Assault Rate214.0--268.2
Theft Rate1510.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate319.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyC

209.2 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC+

299/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeC

1793/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for University Place

Violent crime in University Place is below the national average. The rate of 298.7 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 1793.1 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,510 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

University Place Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder5
088% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault214
080% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery36
057% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary319
01.2x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,510
01.1x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft319
01.0x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How University Place Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

University Place
298.7
State
318.6
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

University Place
1793.1
State
2054.4
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About University Place Safety

Is University Place safe?
Not especially. University Place earns a C with a crime rate of 209.2 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs below the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in University Place?
209.2 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 298.7 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 1793.1 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is University Place safe for tourists?
Stick to well-traveled areas and you'll be fine. University Place 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 University Place?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in University Place generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the University Place police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in University Place?
Crime rates have held steady in University Place, without significant movement in either direction. The city maintains its C grade.
How does University Place compare to other cities in Washington?
Middle of the pack for Washington. University Place 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 University Place 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 University Place?
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 37th percentile nationally.
What is the violent crime rate in University Place?
298.7 per 100,000, which is 18% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (214), robbery (36), and murder (5.0) per 100,000.

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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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