Benton County Crime & Safety

Benton County, Washington

Safety Score

4/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

High Crime

Total Crime Rate

3879.8

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

343.5

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

3536.3

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

4/100

Higher = safer

State avg 26/100

State Safety Rank

#35

of 39 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Benton County, Washington

High crime rates but strong safety score

Benton County reports a total crime rate of 3879.8 per 100K, which is well above the national average of 2,385.5. Despite this high volume, the county maintains a safety score of 93.9. This suggests that while crime is more frequent, the severity and response metrics remain favorable.

Trailing the Washington state average

Benton's safety score of 93.9 sits below the Washington state average of 96.2. The total crime rate of 3879.8 is also notably higher than the state average of 2377.2 per 100K. Public safety initiatives are currently focused on reducing these numbers to meet state expectations.

Consistent trends with nearby Adams County

Benton County's crime rate of 3879.8 is nearly identical to neighboring Adams County's 3886.8. These two counties experience some of the highest crime volumes in the region compared to quieter neighbors. This indicates a shared urban-rural crime dynamic across the Tri-Cities area.

Property crime dominates the data

Property crime accounts for 3536.3 incidents per 100K, while violent crime is much lower at 343.5. Interestingly, the violent crime rate is lower than the national average of 369.8. Residents should be most concerned with protecting their belongings and vehicles from theft.

Taking proactive steps for home security

With property crime as the main concern, home security systems provide essential peace of mind. Visible cameras and smart doorbells often discourage opportunistic thieves from targeting your residence. Staying connected with local neighborhood watch groups further enhances community safety.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Benton County, WA?

Benton County has a total crime rate of 3879.8 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (343.5 per 100K) and property crimes (3536.3 per 100K).

Is Benton County, WA safe?

Benton County has a safety score of 4/100, rated "High Crime". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #35 out of 39 counties in Washington for safety (1 = safest).

How does Benton County crime compare to the Washington average?

What types of crime are most common in Benton County?

How is crime data measured and reported for Benton County?

Crime data for Benton 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.

What is being done about crime in Benton County?

Benton County has a safety score of 4/100, which is below the Washington average of 26/100. Many counties with above-average crime rates invest in community policing, crime prevention programs, neighborhood watch initiatives, and social services aimed at reducing crime over time.