Cowlitz County Crime & Safety

Cowlitz County, Washington

Safety Score

9/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

High Crime

Total Crime Rate

2909.0

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

237.7

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

2671.3

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

9/100

Higher = safer

State avg 26/100

State Safety Rank

#26

of 39 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Cowlitz County, Washington

Cowlitz County safety is above national average

Cowlitz County maintains a safety score of 95.4, reflecting a secure community environment. Its total crime rate of 2909.0 per 100K is higher than the national average of 2,385.5. However, its safety score remains high due to effective law enforcement and lower incident severity.

Just below the Washington state average

Cowlitz County's safety score of 95.4 is slightly lower than the state-wide average of 96.2. The total crime rate of 2909.0 also exceeds the state average of 2377.2 per 100K. Efforts are ongoing to bring these metrics in line with the safest counties in Washington.

Comparative safety in the I-5 corridor

Cowlitz County is safer than its southern neighbor, Clark County, which has a crime rate of 3610.3. However, it sees more crime than coastal Clallam County at 2400.0. Five different agencies collaborate to manage safety across the county's diverse landscape.

Property crime outpaces violent incidents

Violent crime in Cowlitz is 237.7 per 100K, which is well below the national average of 369.8. Property crime is the main contributor to the total rate, sitting at 2671.3 per 100K. This means that while physical safety is high, property protection is a key concern.

Enhancing home security and awareness

Residents should focus on securing their homes with motion sensors and reliable locks to deter property crime. Keeping property well-lit at night is one of the simplest ways to prevent opportunistic theft. Engaging with local police programs can provide more specific tips for your neighborhood.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Cowlitz County, WA?

Cowlitz County has a total crime rate of 2909.0 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (237.7 per 100K) and property crimes (2671.3 per 100K).

Is Cowlitz County, WA safe?

Cowlitz County has a safety score of 9/100, rated "High Crime". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #26 out of 39 counties in Washington for safety (1 = safest).

How does Cowlitz County crime compare to the Washington average?

What types of crime are most common in Cowlitz County?

How is crime data measured and reported for Cowlitz County?

Crime data for Cowlitz 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 Cowlitz County?

Cowlitz County has a safety score of 9/100, 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.