Most Dangerous Oregon Cities for 2025 — Is Your City on the List?

Have you ever wondered which places to avoid in Oregon when the sun goes down? Crime can change fast, and the safest-looking street in the morning may feel uneasy at night. This guide breaks down the most dangerous cities in Oregon for 2025, shows the numbers behind the fear, and gives clear steps to stay safe.

Which City in Oregon Has the Most Crime?

Portland reports the highest number of crimes in the state each year. In 2023, it logged 42,238 incidents, including 4,560 violent offenses. Its residents face a 1-in-15 chance of becoming a victim, and car thieves strike at a rate of 13 per 1,000 people.

Note: Smaller towns such as Coos Bay or Ontario top the per-capita charts, but Portland leads in raw totals because of its size.

Top 10 Most Dangerous Cities in Oregon

Oregon’s risk map is wider than many think. Below is a brief lead-in before we dive into each city. Violent assaults, theft rings, and chronic car break-ins push crime far outside Portland’s city limits. Rural highway towns, college hubs, and coastal ports all appear on the most dangerous cities in Oregon list. Let’s look at the numbers city by city.

1. Portland

Portland’s crime rate is 66.9 per 1,000 residents, with violent crime at 7.2 and property crime at 59.8. Motor vehicle theft sits at 13.4 per 1,000—nearly four times the national median. Downtown, St. Johns, and the East Portland corridor see the most police calls. Homicides dropped 8 percent in 2024, yet burglary and theft still climb in inner-east blocks. If you live here, lock up early and park in a garage when you can.

2. Coos Bay

This coastal port posts Oregon’s second-highest total crime rate—64.8 per 1,000. Violent offenses reach 9.8, double the state average. Property crime hits 55.1, and car theft risk is 1 in 264. Downtown bars, the Empire district, and harbor parking lots record frequent fights and smash-and-grabs. Police blame drug trafficking along U.S. 101 for the surge.

3. Ontario

Border traffic with Idaho helps push Ontario’s crime rate up to 50.2 per 1,000. Violent crime runs 7.3, while property offenses reach 43.0. Motor vehicle theft comes in at 4.5. Theft crews often target motel lots near I-84, and assault calls spike on paydays around the sugar-beet plants.

4. Roseburg

Roseburg shows 47.6 crimes per 1,000 residents. Violent crime is modest at 3.4, but property offenses soar to 44.2. Car theft risk is 3.4 per 1,000. Interstate timber trucks bring traffic and easy targets to the Garden Valley and Harvard Avenue retail strips.

5. Medford

Medford records 42.7 crimes per 1,000. Violent incidents average 4.0; property crime stands at 38.7. Car theft sits at 2.8. Downtown bars and the I-5 corridor drive most calls. Catalytic-converter thefts rose sharply in 2024, especially around North Medford.

6. Grants Pass

With 40.4 crimes per 1,000, Grants Pass feels risky for its size. Violent crime is 4.4; property crime clocks 36.0. Car theft is 3.4. Police link many incidents to transient camps along the Rogue River and weekend tourist crowds.

7. Salem

The capital posts 37.0 crimes per 1,000. Violent crime reaches 4.6, property crime 32.4, and car theft 5.1—one of the highest theft rates in Oregon. Auto thieves trail commuters from downtown garages to south-side apartments.

8. Eugene

College life and trans-state traffic give Eugene 35.7 crimes per 1,000. Violent crime runs 3.6; property crime is 32.2. Motor vehicle theft sits at 4.0. Bike-path robberies and campus-area break-ins spike on football weekends.

9. Klamath Falls

Klamath Falls posts 25.8 crimes per 1,000, but its 5.2 violent-crime rate ranks third-highest statewide. Property crime is 20.6; car theft odds are 1 in 296. Isolated highways and limited patrols mean longer police response times, especially after dark.

10. Springfield

Springfield rounds out the list with 30.9 crimes per 1,000—violent crime 3.2, property crime 27.6, and car theft 2.2. The Gateway mall area and older mill neighborhoods see the most reports.

How We Determine the Most Dangerous City in Oregon?

Crime looks different from town to town. We rank risk using clear, public data:

• FBI-reported violent crime rate such as murders, rapes, robberies, and aggravated assaults per 1,000 people.
• FBI-reported property crime rate, including burglaries, thefts, arsons, and motor-vehicle thefts per 1,000 people.
• Motor vehicle theft rate that includes cars stolen per 1,000 residents; high numbers show organized theft rings.
• Year-over-year trend, including cities rising two years in a row, ranks higher than flat or falling ones.
• Population impact as we weigh raw totals to show overall risk and per-capita figures to reveal hidden danger in small towns.

Crime Trends in Oregon’s Most Dangerous Cities

Recent police and FBI summaries spotlight five patterns:

• Car thefts falling statewide: NICB reports a 30 percent drop in Oregon car thefts from 2023 to 2024, after task-force crackdowns in Portland and Salem.
• Assault linked to drug trade: Meth and fentanyl busts track closely with spikes in violent assaults in Medford, Grants Pass, and Klamath Falls.
• Retail theft rings: Big-box stores in Eugene, Springfield, and Portland face daily “grab-and-go” crews reselling goods online.
• Catalytic-converter theft: Quick cash keeps converters a top target, especially in suburban parking lots.
• Downtown gun crime easing: Homicides in Portland fell 8 percent in 2024 as patrol levels rose, though rates stay above pre-2020 lows.

How to Stay Safe in Worst Cities in Oregon?

Are you going to move through the worst city in Oregon or any high-risk area? Use these steps:

• Lock up twice: Use a steering-wheel lock plus the factory alarm to deter quick car thefts.
• Park under light: Lighten up parking lots, and cameras push thieves elsewhere.
• Watch bags downtown: Hold valuables close in bar zones and transit hubs.
• Know the hotline: Save your local non-emergency police number for fast tips without calling 911.
• Check crime maps: City websites post weekly maps; glance before booking a hotel or rental.

If you live in Oregon, installing an outdoor security camera is a smart way to protect your home and stay safe.

FAQs

What is the most dangerous city in Oregon?

Portland tops the list for total reported crimes, while Coos Bay edges it on per-capita rates.

What is the safest city in Oregon?

Many small towns post crime indexes above 80 (out of 100). Bend, West Linn, and Lake Oswego regularly finish among the safest, with violent-crime rates under 1 per 1,000.

What city in Oregon is the best to live in?

Quality-of-life surveys favor Bend for outdoor jobs, Beaverton for tech careers, and Ashland for arts and short commutes. Safety ranks high in all three.

Is Ontario, Oregon a safe place to live?

Ontario’s charm hides risk. Residents face a 1-in-20 chance of being a victim each year, far above the state average. Car theft and burglary drive most reports.

Conclusion

Oregon’s scenic highways cross pockets of real danger. Portland, Coos Bay, Ontario, Medford, and Grants Pass lead the pack of the most dangerous cities in Oregon, while smaller hubs like Roseburg and Springfield also demand caution.

Stay alert, follow the safety tips above, and share your thoughts below. Did your hometown make our list? Let us know and help others avoid the next headline.