Violent
Property
Total
Bellingham, WA Crime Rate & Safety
FBI-verified crime statistics for 2024 | Population: 95,717
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Bellingham, Washington Safe?
Bellingham has a safety score of 25/100 (High Crime). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 4,107.9 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Bellingham ranks #72 out of 87 cities in Washington and #2735 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 8th percentile for safety — with higher crime than 92% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in Bellingham is larceny-theft, at 3,113.3 per 100K — 1.9x the national average. Conversely, murder is relatively low at just 0.3x the national rate.
Year over year, Bellingham's total crime rate decreased by 8.5%, with violent crime rising 8.2%.
Bellingham Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 336 | 351.0 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 2 | 2.1 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 20 | 20.9 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 74 | 77.3 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 239 | 249.7 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 3,596 | 3,756.9 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 470 | 491.0 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 2,980 | 3,113.3 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 146 | 152.5 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Bellingham vs Washington Average
How does Bellingham's crime rate compare to the Washington state average?
| Metric | Bellingham | Washington Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 351.0 | 439.5 | -20.1% |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,756.9 | 3,428.6 | +9.6% |
| Murder Rate | 2.1 | 4.7 | -55.7% |
| Total Crime Rate | 4,107.9 | 3,868.1 | +6.2% |
Bellingham Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Bellingham, Washington.
| Year | Population | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 95,717 | 4,107.9 | 351.0 | 3,756.9 |
| 2023 | 94,968 | 4,487.8 | 324.3 | 4,163.5 |
| 2022 | 93,014 | 6,944.1 | 416.1 | 6,528.1 |
| 2021 | 95,279 | 5,479.7 | 423.0 | 5,056.7 |
| 2020 | 93,629 | 4,888.4 | 263.8 | 4,624.6 |
| 2019 | 91,906 | 3,198.9 | 273.1 | 2,925.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bellingham, Washington safe?
Bellingham has a safety score of 25/100. With a total crime rate of 4,107.9 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Bellingham is higher than average in crime compared to the national average.
What is the crime rate in Bellingham, Washington?
According to FBI data for 2024, Bellingham has a violent crime rate of 351.0 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 3,756.9 per 100,000 residents.
How does Bellingham compare to the national average?
Bellingham's total crime rate of 4,107.9 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The city has a population of 95,717.
What types of crime are most common in Bellingham?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Bellingham include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Bellingham safe to visit?
Like any city, Bellingham has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 25/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.