Polk County Crime & Safety

Polk County, Oregon

Safety Score

43/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

Average

Total Crime Rate

1286.5

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

165.5

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

1121.0

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

43/100

Higher = safer

State avg 30/100

State Safety Rank

#10

of 36 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Polk County, Oregon

Polk County Safety Surpasses National Levels

Polk County earns an impressive safety score of 98.0, indicating a very low risk of crime. Its total crime rate of 1,286.5 per 100,000 is nearly 50% lower than the national average.

Exceeding the Oregon Safety Average

The county's safety score of 98.0 is significantly higher than the Oregon state average of 96.3. This makes Polk one of the most secure counties for residents in the Willamette Valley.

A Safer Choice Than Coastal Neighbors

Polk County maintains a much lower crime rate than neighboring Tillamook County, which records 1,949.1 incidents per 100,000. This regional security makes it an attractive destination for families.

Focusing on Property and Violent Trends

Property crime sits at 1,121.0 per 100,000, which is significantly lower than the national property crime rate of 2,015.7. Violent crime is also exceptionally low at just 165.5 per 100,000.

Simple Steps for a Safer Home

Prevent property crime by keeping your home well-lit and locking all vehicles parked outside. Community awareness remains the best tool for maintaining Polk's excellent safety record.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Polk County, OR?

Polk County has a total crime rate of 1286.5 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (165.5 per 100K) and property crimes (1121.0 per 100K).

Is Polk County, OR safe?

Polk County has a safety score of 43/100, rated "Average". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #10 out of 36 counties in Oregon for safety (1 = safest).

How does Polk County crime compare to the Oregon average?

The county's safety score of 98.0 is significantly higher than the Oregon state average of 96.3. This makes Polk one of the most secure counties for residents in the Willamette Valley.

What types of crime are most common in Polk County?

Property crime sits at 1,121.0 per 100,000, which is significantly lower than the national property crime rate of 2,015.7. Violent crime is also exceptionally low at just 165.5 per 100,000.

How is crime data measured and reported for Polk County?

Crime data for Polk County comes from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program. Local law enforcement agencies submit data on violent crimes (murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) and property crimes (burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft) to the FBI. Rates are calculated per 100,000 residents to allow fair comparison between counties of different sizes. The safety score (0-100) is derived from these rates, with higher scores indicating safer counties.

Why is Polk County safer than the Oregon average?

Polk County has a safety score of 43/100, which is above the Oregon average of 30/100. Factors such as local law enforcement effectiveness, community programs, socioeconomic conditions, and population density all contribute to lower crime rates in certain counties.