Violent
Property
Total
Salem, OR Crime Rate & Safety
FBI-verified crime statistics for 2024 | Population: 177,936
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Salem, Oregon Safe?
Salem has a safety score of 39/100 (Higher Crime Than Average). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 3,337.7 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Salem ranks #42 out of 48 cities in Oregon and #2534 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 15th percentile for safety — with higher crime than 85% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in Salem is burglary, at 442.3 per 100K — 1.5x the national average. Conversely, murder is relatively low at just 0.7x the national rate.
Year over year, Salem's total crime rate decreased by 8.6%, with violent crime rising 19.4%.
Salem Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 951 | 534.5 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 8 | 4.5 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 66 | 37.1 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 158 | 88.8 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 715 | 401.8 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 4,988 | 2,803.3 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 787 | 442.3 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 3,498 | 1,965.9 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 703 | 395.1 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Salem vs Oregon Average
How does Salem's crime rate compare to the Oregon state average?
| Metric | Salem | Oregon Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 534.5 | 302.2 | +76.9% |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,803.3 | 2,350.3 | +19.3% |
| Murder Rate | 4.5 | 2.3 | +96.5% |
| Total Crime Rate | 3,337.7 | 2,652.5 | +25.8% |
Salem Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Salem, Oregon.
| Year | Population | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 177,936 | 3,337.7 | 534.5 | 2,803.3 |
| 2023 | 178,276 | 3,650.5 | 447.6 | 3,202.9 |
| 2022 | 179,661 | 4,126.7 | 489.3 | 3,637.4 |
| 2021 | 178,106 | 4,090.8 | 462.7 | 3,628.2 |
| 2020 | 176,632 | 4,219.5 | 403.1 | 3,816.4 |
| 2019 | 175,867 | 4,070.1 | 381.0 | 3,689.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Salem, Oregon safe?
Salem has a safety score of 39/100. With a total crime rate of 3,337.7 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Salem is higher than average in crime compared to the national average.
What is the crime rate in Salem, Oregon?
According to FBI data for 2024, Salem has a violent crime rate of 534.5 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 2,803.3 per 100,000 residents.
How does Salem compare to the national average?
Salem's total crime rate of 3,337.7 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The city has a population of 177,936.
What types of crime are most common in Salem?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Salem include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Salem safe to visit?
Like any city, Salem has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 39/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.