Safest Cities In Oregon: Where to Live for Peace of Mind

Oregon has a mix of safe as well as dangerous cities, just like other states in the US. Before moving to any state, you should be aware of the crime rate and how safe the city is.

In this article, we will discuss some of the safest cities in Oregon. We will share the common crimes and some of the most dangerous cities.

Top 10 Safest Cities In Oregon 2024

Oregon as a whole is a beautiful state with breathtaking natural sceneries. However, safety is the key factor that makes some particular cities stand out as the best places to live.

1: Canby

It is one of the top 10 safest cities in Oregon to live in. It is safer than 38% of US cities. The violent crime rate is 1.27 per 1,000 residents, while the property crime rate is 11.67 per 1,000 residents.

2: Milwaukie

Milwaukie is considered the hidden gem of Oregon. This beautiful city is one of the safest cities to move to because of its low crime rates. According to the Total Crime Index, this city is safer than 34% of the US cities. The violent crime rate is 1.31, and the property crime rate is 13.05 per 1,000 residents.

3: West Linn

West Linn is the safest city in Oregon, and it offers a secure environment with a total crime index of 42. The violent crime rate of the city is 0.89, and the property crime rate is 10.77.

4: Central Point

Central Point is a well-known city in Oregon, famous for its beauty and high-security level. The violent crime and property crime rates are 1.4 and 14.98, respectively, which is much less than the National Average Crime Rates.

5: Lake Oswego

Lake Oswego is a highly secure and safe city that offers a welcoming atmosphere. The violent crime rate is 0.8, and the property crime rate is 16.7 per 1,000 residents.

6: Prineville

Prineville is also one of the safest cities in Oregon, where 140 property crimes and 30 violent crimes were reported in a population of 11,497 people.

7: Monmouth

Monmouth also shows a notably lower crime rate as compared to the US cities. The population size of this city is 11,274. The violent crime rate is 1.77, and the property crime rate is 14.64.

8: Bend

Bend—Oregon is a great place to move as it has low annual crime incidents—1828 out of 103,254 population size. The Total Crime Index is 26, while the total annual crime rate per 1000 residents is 17.70. These numbers show that it is a safe city to live in.

9: Lebanon

According to the Lebanon crime data, the total crime rate of this city is 14.68 per 1000 residents. Its Total Crime Index is 33, while the total annual crime numbers were 37 and 248 for Violent and Property crimes, respectively.

10: Newberg-Dundee

Newberg–Dundee has a violent crime rate of 2.41, and the property crime rate is 28.24. That said, property crime is a bit high compared to the natural average.

A Closer Examination Of Oregon's Safest Cities.

According to the most recent survey of 2024, 44 cities in Oregon meet the criteria for being called the safest cities to live in. Likewise the last 4 years, West Linn has been the safest city in this state.

Moreover, cities like Newberg-Dundee and Canby have also reduced crime rates and moved to the safer side of Oregon. Other cities like Monmouth, Bend, Central Point, and Lebanon have not been observed to have significant improvements but are still on the list of safest cities.

All these are observed as secure cities as they have relatively lower crime rates than the National Average Crime Rate. Hence, these cities offer peaceful, safe, and secure lives to live and enjoy.

What Crime Are Oregon Residents Concerned About Most?

Here are some of the most common crimes in Oregon.

Violent Crime

People in Oregon are always concerned about violent crimes. It includes murder, assault, rape, and robbery. The overall violent crime rate is 4.2 per 1000 people, which is higher than the National Average (4 per 1,000 people). This has created an alarming situation for the residents and made them feel unsafe all the time.

Property Crime

Property crime is more common in Oregon. This crime includes housebreaking and looting, destruction, snatching, and stealing. The overall Property crime rate in Oregon is 30.3 per 1,000 people. While the National Average is 20.7 per 1,000 people. This increased rate has significantly affected the resident and they remain anxious about the loss or damage of their belongings.

5 Most Dangerous Cities In Oregon

Besides some safe cities, Oregon also has some cities with high crime rates.

Portland

Portland faces elevated crime rates, with 4,755 violent and 40,998 Property crimes in a year. The violent crime rate is 7.49, while the property crime rate is 64.56.

Medford

The high crime rates in Medford make it one of the most dangerous cities in Oregon. The total annual crime rate is 45.63 per 1000 residents.

Salem

Being a dangerous city, Salem has concerning crime rates. The violent crime rate is 5.01, and the property crime rate is 36.89 per 1,000 residents.

Ontario

The Total Population of Ontario is 11,732. Its violent crime rate is 8.95, and the property crime rate is 59.84, which is quite high.

Astoria

The crime data of Astoria signals its dangerous and unsafe reputation in Oregon. The violent crime rate is 4.71, while the property crime rate is 34.08 per 1,000 residents.

How To Stay Safe In Oregon?

Here are a few things you can do to ensure your safety in Oregon.

• Install a Security Camera: It is a must to install security cameras in your property to monitor everything. You can use Altas PT Ultra. It's a Wi-Fi 6 battery-powered security camera that offers real-time alerts, continuous recording, ColorX night vision, long battery life, and a lot more.

• Be Aware of Surroundings: Keep an eye on everything happening around you. If you feel anything suspicious, leave the area.
  Meet Neighbors: Having a good relationship with neighbors is quite helpful. They can help you out in dealing with such issues. If you are new to the area, they can tell you how you can ensure your safety.
• Avoid Night Activities: Certain areas are notorious for late-night crimes. Avoid late-night activities to keep yourself safe.
  Hide Valuables: Your valuables shouldn’t be visible from the window of your home or car. These invite thieves.
• Keep Firearms: Keep a firearm for your own safety.
• Pet Dogs: You can also have some dogs around the property to prevent intruders. It's an excellent way to prevent property crimes.
• Learn Self-Defense: Take self-defense classes to deal with unusual circumstances. It could save your life.

FAQs

1: Which City In Oregon Has The Lowest Crime Rate?

West Linn is the city in Oregon with the lowest crime rate. As the safest city in Oregon, it has been on top of the list for the last five years. If anyone is looking forward to visiting or moving to a safe place in Oregon, then West Linn is the best option.

2: Is Oregon A Good And Safe Place To Live?

Yes, Oregon is a good and safe place to live. No doubt, its overall crime rates are high, but some cities are quite safe. Exploring those cities and their crime rates will help you to move securely to Oregon.

Conclusion

We have shared some of the safest and most dangerous cities in Oregon, along with their crime rates. Before moving to any city in Oregon, check its crime rate, and it's better to select one of the safest cities we have shared.