Clark County Crime & Safety

Clark County, Washington

Safety Score

5/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

High Crime

Total Crime Rate

3610.3

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

346.0

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

3264.3

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

5/100

Higher = safer

State avg 26/100

State Safety Rank

#32

of 39 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Clark County, Washington

Clark County experiences higher crime volume

Clark County has a total crime rate of 3610.3 per 100K, which is significantly above the national average of 2,385.5. However, it still maintains a respectable safety score of 94.3. This indicates that while crime is present, the community remains relatively secure overall.

Trailing behind the state safety average

Clark County's safety score of 94.3 falls below the Washington state average of 96.2. Additionally, its crime rate of 3610.3 is much higher than the state-wide average of 2377.2. Rapid population growth often contributes to these higher statistical benchmarks.

Higher crime rates than rural neighbors

Clark County sees more crime than neighboring Cowlitz County, which has a rate of 2909.0. Being a major population center near Portland, it faces unique urban pressures that smaller neighbors do not. Nine different reporting agencies work together to address these regional challenges.

Property crime is the primary concern

Property crime sits at 3264.3 per 100K, while violent crime is 346.0. The violent crime rate is actually lower than the national average of 369.8, which is a positive sign for personal safety. Theft and property damage remain the most frequent issues for residents.

Fortifying your property against theft

With high property crime rates, investing in home surveillance and alarm systems is a wise choice. Secure your vehicles and never leave valuables in plain sight to reduce the risk of break-ins. Collective vigilance among neighbors can help drive these local crime numbers down.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Clark County, WA?

Clark County has a total crime rate of 3610.3 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (346.0 per 100K) and property crimes (3264.3 per 100K).

Is Clark County, WA safe?

Clark County has a safety score of 5/100, rated "High Crime". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #32 out of 39 counties in Washington for safety (1 = safest).

How does Clark County crime compare to the Washington average?

What types of crime are most common in Clark County?

How is crime data measured and reported for Clark County?

Crime data for Clark 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 Clark County?

Clark County has a safety score of 5/100, 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.