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Crime rate in Seattle, Washington (WA): murders, rapes, robberies, assaults, burglaries, thefts, auto thefts, arson, law enforcement employees, police officers, crime map


City-Data.com crime index in Seattle, WA compared to other U.S. cities

Crime rate in Seattle, WA

The 2020 crime rate in Seattle, WA is 441 (City-Data.com crime index), which is 1.7 times higher than the U.S. average. It was higher than in 95.4% U.S. cities. The 2020 Seattle crime rate rose by 1% compared to 2019. The number of homicides stood at 52 - an increase of 22 compared to 2019. In the last 5 years Seattle has seen increasing violent crime and increasing property crime.
See how dangerous Seattle, WA is compared to the nearest cities:
(Note: Higher means more crime)
Seattle:

440.8
Medina:

86.3
Clyde Hill:

60.9
Yarrow Point:

45.5
Mercer Island:

77.3
Kirkland:

141.7
Bellevue:

179.9
Shoreline:

203.9
Lake Forest Park:

126.4
City-Data.com crime index
Crime rates in Seattle by year

Type

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

Murders
(per 100,000)
24
(4.1)
29
(4.8)
22
(3.7)
19
(3.1)
20
(3.2)
25
(4.0)
18
(2.8)
26
(3.9)
24
(3.5)
17
(2.4)
24
(3.3)
25
(3.4)
30
(3.9)
52
(6.7)
Rapes
(per 100,000)
90
(15.4)
126
(21.1)
102
(16.9)
96
(15.8)
100
(16.2)
123
(19.6)
154
(24.0)
154
(23.2)
140
(20.5)
262
(37.4)
254
(35.2)
292
(39.3)
408
(53.4)
301
(39.0)
Robberies
(per 100,000)
1,522
(260.1)
1,612
(269.5)
1,792
(297.4)
1,429
(234.8)
1,418
(229.4)
1,436
(229.1)
1,602
(249.2)
1,567
(236.2)
1,532
(224.1)
1,549
(221.2)
1,497
(207.5)
1,646
(221.6)
1,548
(202.7)
1,471
(190.7)
Assaults
(per 100,000)
2,031
(347.1)
1,680
(280.9)
1,945
(322.8)
1,971
(323.8)
2,126
(343.9)
2,198
(350.6)
1,986
(309.0)
2,258
(340.4)
2,394
(350.2)
2,473
(353.1)
2,695
(373.6)
3,063
(412.4)
3,014
(394.7)
3,008
(389.9)
Burglaries
(per 100,000)
5,986
(1,023)
6,503
(1,087)
6,709
(1,113)
6,449
(1,060)
6,807
(1,101)
6,618
(1,056)
7,396
(1,151)
7,123
(1,074)
7,666
(1,121)
7,670
(1,095)
7,724
(1,071)
7,984
(1,075)
7,695
(1,008)
10,427
(1,351)
Thefts
(per 100,000)
22,192
(3,793)
22,642
(3,786)
25,095
(4,165)
23,284
(3,825)
21,585
(3,492)
22,048
(3,517)
24,255
(3,773)
28,134
(4,241)
26,199
(3,832)
26,644
(3,805)
26,177
(3,629)
26,223
(3,530)
25,668
(3,361)
22,255
(2,885)
Auto thefts
(per 100,000)
5,782
(988.2)
3,675
(614.5)
3,286
(545.4)
3,453
(567.3)
3,400
(550.0)
3,653
(582.7)
4,313
(671.0)
5,514
(831.2)
3,880
(567.5)
4,128
(589.5)
3,612
(500.7)
4,040
(543.9)
3,898
(510.4)
4,911
(636.5)
Arson
(per 100,000)
183
(31.3)
79
(13.2)
156
(25.9)
126
(20.7)
84
(13.6)
77
(12.3)
90
(14.0)
76
(11.5)
92
(13.5)
102
(14.6)
145
(20.1)
106
(14.3)
107
(14.0)
208
(27.0)
City-Data.com crime index470.3440.3462.8426.6417.7423.7446.5476.6437.8447.8432.0447.1436.1440.8

The City-Data.com crime index weighs serious crimes and violent crimes more heavily. Higher means more crime, U.S. average is 254.8. It adjusts for the number of visitors and daily workers commuting into cities.

- means the value is smaller than the state average.
- means the value is about the same as the state average.
- means the value is bigger than the state average.
- means the value is much bigger than the state average.



According to our research of Washington and other state lists, there were 476 registered sex offenders living in Seattle, Washington as of March 18, 2024.
The ratio of all residents to sex offenders in Seattle is 1,480 to 1.
The ratio of registered sex offenders to all residents in this city is lower than the state average.


When are crimes committed in Seattle, WA?

Violent crime rate in 2020
Seattle:

342.8
U.S. Average:

228.3

Violent crime rate in 2019
Seattle:

360.0
U.S. Average:

219.8

Violent crime rate in 2018
Seattle:

363.0
U.S. Average:

221.2

Violent crime rate in 2017
Seattle:

332.4
U.S. Average:

226.3

Violent crime rate in 2016
Seattle:

329.4
U.S. Average:

227.3

Violent crime rate in 2015
Seattle:

314.6
U.S. Average:

219.4

Violent crime rate in 2014
Seattle:

319.3
U.S. Average:

211.1

Violent crime rate in 2013
Seattle:

308.6
U.S. Average:

214.3

Violent crime rate in 2012
Seattle:

317.5
U.S. Average:

187.4

Violent crime rate in 2011
Seattle:

309.3
U.S. Average:

187.1

Violent crime rate in 2010
Seattle:

301.3
U.S. Average:

195.6

Violent crime rate in 2009
Seattle:

334.3
U.S. Average:

208.9

Violent crime rate in 2008
Seattle:

306.0
U.S. Average:

222.5

Violent crime rate in 2007
Seattle:

327.2
U.S. Average:

229.1

Violent crime rate in 2006
Seattle:

374.4
U.S. Average:

232.6

Violent crime rate in 2005
Seattle:

297.0
U.S. Average:

227.1

Violent crime rate in 2004
Seattle:

277.6
U.S. Average:

223.6

Violent crime rate in 2003
Seattle:

291.1
U.S. Average:

230.3

Property crime rate in 2020
Seattle:

510.0
U.S. Average:

169.6

Property crime rate in 2019
Seattle:

446.1
U.S. Average:

179.7

Property crime rate in 2018
Seattle:

473.1
U.S. Average:

190.2

Property crime rate in 2017
Seattle:

470.7
U.S. Average:

206.4

Property crime rate in 2016
Seattle:

497.7
U.S. Average:

216.6

Property crime rate in 2015
Seattle:

501.0
U.S. Average:

221.5

Property crime rate in 2014
Seattle:

551.5
U.S. Average:

230.8

Property crime rate in 2013
Seattle:

519.4
U.S. Average:

250.4

Property crime rate in 2012
Seattle:

474.4
U.S. Average:

267.3

Property crime rate in 2011
Seattle:

477.3
U.S. Average:

273.5

Property crime rate in 2010
Seattle:

488.3
U.S. Average:

276.4

Property crime rate in 2009
Seattle:

512.7
U.S. Average:

285.6

Property crime rate in 2008
Seattle:

498.9
U.S. Average:

302.2

Property crime rate in 2007
Seattle:

542.5
U.S. Average:

309.2

Property crime rate in 2006
Seattle:

671.0
U.S. Average:

317.3

Property crime rate in 2005
Seattle:

569.6
U.S. Average:

322.3

Property crime rate in 2004
Seattle:

584.2
U.S. Average:

327.4

Property crime rate in 2003
Seattle:

621.8
U.S. Average:

334.1
Murders per 100,000 population
Rapes per 100,000 population
Robberies per 100,000 population
Assaults per 100,000 population
Burglaries per 100,000 population
Thefts per 100,000 population
Auto thefts per 100,000 population
Arson per 100,000 population

Full-time law enforcement employees in 2021, including police officers: 1,597 (1,178 officers - 999 male; 179 female).
Officers per 1,000 residents here:

1.50
Washington average:

1.35

Full-time law enforcement employees in 2020, including police officers: 1,900 (1,341 officers - 1,134 male; 207 female).
Officers per 1,000 residents here:

1.74
Washington average:

1.43

Full-time law enforcement employees in 2019, including police officers: 1,960 (1,416 officers - 1,197 male; 219 female).
Officers per 1,000 residents here:

1.85
Washington average:

1.45

Full-time law enforcement employees in 2018, including police officers: 1,954 (1,420 officers - 1,202 male; 218 female).
Officers per 1,000 residents here:

1.91
Washington average:

1.44

Full-time law enforcement employees in 2017, including police officers: 1,963 (1,448 officers - 1,233 male; 215 female).
Officers per 1,000 residents here:

2.01
Washington average:

1.45

Full-time law enforcement employees in 2016, including police officers: 1,946 (1,384 officers - 1,186 male; 198 female).
Officers per 1,000 residents here:

1.98
Washington average:

1.45

Full-time law enforcement employees in 2015, including police officers: 1,919 (1,350 officers - 1,152 male; 198 female).
Officers per 1,000 residents here:

1.97
Washington average:

1.44

Full-time law enforcement employees in 2014, including police officers: 1,889 (1,323 officers - 1,128 male; 195 female).
Officers per 1,000 residents here:

1.99
Washington average:

1.47

Full-time law enforcement employees in 2013, including police officers: 1,864 (1,294 officers - 1,114 male; 180 female).
Officers per 1,000 residents here:

2.01
Washington average:

1.47

Full-time law enforcement employees in 2012, including police officers: 1,801 (1,289 officers - 1,110 male; 179 female).
Officers per 1,000 residents here:

2.06
Washington average:

1.47

Full-time law enforcement employees in 2011, including police officers: 1,804 (1,305 officers - 1,125 male; 180 female).
Officers per 1,000 residents here:

2.11
Washington average:

1.51

Full-time law enforcement employees in 2010, including police officers: 1,861 (1,344 officers - 1,159 male; 185 female).
Officers per 1,000 residents here:

2.21
Washington average:

1.55

Full-time law enforcement employees in 2009, including police officers: 1,857 (1,351 officers - 1,161 male; 190 female).
Officers per 1,000 residents here:

2.24
Washington average:

1.56

Full-time law enforcement employees in 2008, including police officers: 1,825 (1,318 officers - 1,129 male; 189 female).
Officers per 1,000 residents here:

2.20
Washington average:

1.62

Full-time law enforcement employees in 2007, including police officers: 1,775 (1,273 officers - 1,093 male; 180 female).
Officers per 1,000 residents here:

2.18
Washington average:

1.60

Full-time law enforcement employees in 2006, including police officers: 1,746 (1,276 officers - 1,089 male; 187 female).
Officers per 1,000 residents here:

2.19
Washington average:

1.57

Full-time law enforcement employees in 2005, including police officers: 1,762 (1,281 officers - 1,094 male; 187 female).
Officers per 1,000 residents here:

2.21
Washington average:

1.61

Full-time law enforcement employees in 2004, including police officers: 1,729 (1,242 officers - 1,063 male; 179 female).
Officers per 1,000 residents here:

2.16
Washington average:

1.59

Full-time law enforcement employees in 2003, including police officers: 1,719 (1,231 officers - 1,055 male; 176 female).
Officers per 1,000 residents here:

2.14
Washington average:

1.62

Full-time Law Enforcement Employees in Seattle, WA
Full-time Law Enforcement Employees
Full-time Law Enforcement Employees - Officers
Full-time Law Enforcement Employees - Civilians

Zip codes: 98101, 98102, 98103, 98104, 98105, 98106, 98107, 98109, 98112, 98115, 98116, 98117, 98118, 98119, 98121, 98122, 98125, 98126, 98133, 98134, 98136, 98144, 98154, 98164, 98174, 98177, 98195, 98199.