15 Safest Cities in Oregon – Updated in 2024

Note: This article’s statistics come from third-party sources and do not represent the opinions of this website.

Oregon is a wonderful state with many cities to visit and call home. As of July 2021, the state had more than 4.266 million people. It’s a relatively safe place to live.

In this article, we give an overview of the safest cities in Oregon. These cities have overall low crime rates. Some are small cities while others are big. All in all, the cities share community vibes and vigilant police departments.

The 15 Safest Cities in Oregon: A Quick Look

1. West Linn

You can walk around in West Linn and not have to keep looking over your shoulder. This lovely city is recognized as one of the safest places to be in the state. In fact, it ranks at number 36 on the safest cities in the US list.

Although not completely free of crime, incidents occur at a lower rate compared to other cities in Oregon. In 2021, for example, the overall crime rate was 12 incidences per 1,000 people.

According to the FBI crime rate data, there is a 1 in 83 chance of falling victim to a violent crime. The low crime rate and safety can be attributed to a better education system and the city’s thriving economy that ensures its households earn a good living. The poverty rate is also low, further contributing to fewer crimes.

2. Sherwood

Another excellent city to call home or visit is Sherwood. Imagine a city whose crime rate is 54% below the national average. That means there are fewer crimes taking place each day. In terms of violent crimes, they’re 84% below the national average.

Residents and visitors in Sherwood stand a 1 in 1,859 chance of falling victim to a violent crime. In terms of property crime, the rate is 1 in 78 chances for homeowners in this city. Most neighborhoods in this city are fairly safe, and the police do their jobs patrolling these areas.

Sherwood has a thriving economy, and most dwellers are middle-income earners. The city also benefits from having good health care and education systems in place.

3. Lake Oswego

The third safest city in Oregon is Lake Oswego, which ranks 84^th among the safest cities in the US. The overall crime rate is 18.86 per 1,000 people. The central part of the city tops as the best to live and work for most residents.

You have a 1 in 1,455 chance of falling victim to a violent crime in Lake Oswego. The city thrives in its safety, such that incidences of violent crime are 83% lower than the national average.

Here, young people have opportunities to make a better life for themselves. The average household income is high and the poverty rate is quite low. Many people live well and do not need to resort to crime.

4. Monmouth

Monmouth is a city in Polk County, Oregon. It’s smaller in comparison to other cities in this state but relatively safe. Here, you have a 1 in 86 chance of falling victim to any violent crime. Life here, in general, is quite peaceful and has a community feel.

The overall crime rate is 12 per 1000 people. Violent crimes are 74% below the national average. South of the city is the safest area with the least number of overall crimes occurring each year.

This is a very family-friendly city and a great place to raise kids. It has some good schools and a thriving small-town life for all. It scores high in terms of overall livability.

5. Newberg-Dundee

Newberg ranks quite high, given its low overall crime rate when ranking the safest cities in the state of Oregon. Here, you can relax, live an easy life, and enjoy many open safe spaces for yourself and your family.

The community looks out for one another, and it also has a great relationship with the police department.

The overall crime rate is 23.59 per 1,000 people, with the violent crime rate in 2021 being 11.0 per 1,000 residents, and 22.5 per 1,000 people for property crime.

The northwest part is the safest, but the whole city is still a great place to be. It has a high average household income and many opportunities for jobs for young people.

6. Canby

Canby is such an amazing city with a clear historic vibe that attracts many tourists each summer. The community in this city is quite united, and the city is becoming a top destination for many visiting Oregon.

Canby has an overall crime rate of 20.93 per 1,000 residents. This translates to a 1 in 519 chance of falling victim to a violent crime. In addition, you have a 1 in 99 chance of becoming a victim of property crime in this city. The murder rate is also very low, meaning the city is quite safe.

The city has a high average household income, putting many people in a good position financially. Plus, the poverty rate is also low.

7. Independence

Another lovely place to live in Oregon is the city of Independence. Residents relish the community feel and amazing features all around. This historical city attracts tourists each year.

In terms of the overall crime rate, you have a 1 in 806 chance of falling victim to a violent crime. The city is also quite safe for your property. Cases of theft, car theft, and burglaries are low—thanks to the vigilant police. There is a 1 in 73 chance of becoming a victim of a property crime.

There were no reported murders in this city in 2021, and only 154.3 assault cases took place.

It has a low poverty rate and an unemployment rate of 5.9%, further contributing to its safety. It is a pleasant place to live if you want to raise kids in a safe environment.

8. Bend

In recent years, Oregon has been attracting many new residents. One of the cities receiving this influx of new residents is Bend. It is one of the safest and fastest growing cities in the US, with so much to offer in terms of expansive outdoors.

Many people living in Bend enjoy a quiet and safe lifestyle. The rate of crime is 25.85 per 1,000 residents. The safest part of Bend is the southeast, but overall, the crime rate for the entire city is 12% lower than the national average.

In general, violent crimes in Bend are 57% lower than the national average. There is a 1 in 49 chance of falling victim to robbery, assault, murder, or rape. In addition, property crime is at a rate of 37.2 per 1,000 residents.

9. Central Point

If you want to live in a place with a semi-suburban feel, Central Point may be the right place for you. This city is ranked among the safest in the state of Oregon.

Crime rates are 10% below the national average. Violent crimes are 11.0 per 1,000 residents. That translates to 32% lower than the national average. Property crime rate is 41.3 per 1,000 residents. However, theft cases in 2021 were high, reaching 1,583 cases. But even with these theft cases, the property crime in Central Point was still 5% lower than the national average.

Most residents here are homeowners with above-average household incomes. The city has average public schools, and with children getting a quality education and later employment, the city will continue having little or no crimes, making it even safer.

10. Milwaukie

Milwaukie is another city in Oregon with the suburban feel that many residents enjoy. Crime in this city is relatively low, making the city safer than many other places in the state.

Overall crime is 34% lower than the national average. The violent crime rate is 12.7 per 1,000 residents, which is 63% lower than the national average. Property crime stands at 35.3 per 1,000 residents, which is 24% lower than the national average.

The low crime rate is attributed to efforts by the police in the city. There is more police visibility and better crime alert systems in place. Residents are also urged to come forward and report a crime when they witness it.

11. Beaverton

When compared to larger cities like Portland, Beaverton shines as another safe city in Oregon. Not only is it a safe place to live, but it has some of the best school districts in the state. There is a mix of homeowners and rental properties for anyone looking to move to this city.

Beaverton has a low crime rate of 38.18 per 1,000 residents. Violent crime rate is 11.5 per 1,000 residents, while the US average is about 22.7. The property crimes rate is 25.6 per 1,000 residents, compared to the national average is 35.4.

There is a lot of police visibility in this city, including bike cops patrolling public areas. There’s also an effective crime reporting system in place, plus more community outreach programs.

12. Albany

Albany in Oregon has an easygoing lifestyle with a low to medium crime rate. Here residents enjoy a calm lifestyle. The overall crime rate is 27.92 per 1,000 residents, with the northwest areas being the safest.

Violent crimes are 62% lower than the national average, which translates to 9.7 per 1,000 residents. There is a 1 in 35 chance of falling victim to a violent crime in Albany. As for property crime, the rate is 46.0 per 1,000 residents.

13. Keizer

Keizer is a small city that tugs at the heart of residents seeking a quiet place to call home. The city has many areas worth exploring, and a low to medium crime rate in comparison to other cities in Oregon.

Here, chances of becoming a victim of a violent crime are 1 in 518. This rate is 12% lower than the national average at 15.2 per 1,000 residents. Property crime in Keizer is 55% lower than the national average at 32.9 per 1,000 residents.

14. Corvallis

Corvallis is a relatively safe city where the overall crime rate is 79.91 per 1,000 residents. This is 41% above the national average. The violent crime rate is 59% lower than the national average, which translates to 11.8 per 1,000 residents.

Property crime is also lower in Corvallis at 41.2 per 1,000 residents, and the northwest part of the city is considered the safest.

Corvallis has seen a drop in crime over the years—thanks to a more active police department. The police carry out community outreach programs to educate people about crime and reporting each year.

15. Silverton

The last of the safest cities in this article is Silverton, with a crime rate of 21.44 per 1,000 residents. The violent crime rate in this city is 67% lower than the national average at 10.5 per 1,000 residents.

In addition, property crime is also lower, averaging at 32.6 per 1,000 residents. This is lower than the national average property crime, which is 35.4 per 1,000 residents.

How to Stay Safe in Oregon

In this article are some of the safest places to visit and live in Oregon. However, this doesn’t mean these cities are entirely free of crime. As a visitor or resident, you must always practice the ‘safety first’ motto and stay attentive to your surroundings.

Start by being alert when out in public. Avoid carrying your valuables out in the open. Pickpockets target people in busy public areas. Also, stay away from any dark or less public places in the cities, and stick to busy and safer places.

If you’re new in Oregon, have a map and mark the places you want to visit. You can hire a guide to help you visit the different cities with historical sites and parks. If not, plan your trips in advance; visit tourist offices and ask for directions when you need to.

Trust your instincts and report any crime you witness. Police departments have crime reporting desks and hotlines. Also, pay attention to any crime alerts near where you are.

Related Read: 10 Safest Cities in Idaho 

Conclusion

Oregon is a lovely state with amazing cities that are quite safe. The cities on this list have a few things in common. They have above-average household incomes and lower poverty rates. In addition, overall crime rates are lower compared to the national average.

Though these cities aren’t entirely free of crime, they have low property, violent, and other crime rates. Police visibility is high in these cities, and the community is almost always willing to report crimes they witness—leading to a drop in crime rates in these safest cities in Oregon.

You might also be interested in: 10 Most Dangerous Cities in Colorado (with Pictures)

Featured Image Credit: Monmouth Oregon main street (Image Credit: Finetooth, Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 3.0)