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Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI 2024 crime data, Ellensburg, WA has a Safety Score of 30/100 — higher crime than 70% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 2,409.1 per 100,000 residents, ranking #2,073 of 2,971 US cities and #41 of 87 in Washington.
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Ellensburg, Washington Safe?
Ellensburg, a Kittitas Valley city, is home to Central Washington University and a rich rodeo tradition. Its location east of the Cascade Mountains contributes to its drier climate and agricultural roots, with a population around 20,000.
Ellensburg has a safety score of 30/100 (Higher Crime Than Average). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 2,409.1 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Ellensburg ranks #41 out of 87 cities in Washington and #2073 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 30th percentile for safety — with higher crime than 70% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in Ellensburg is rape, at 92.0 per 100K — 2.1x the national average. Conversely, motor vehicle theft is relatively low at just 0.2x the national rate.
Year over year, Ellensburg's total crime rate decreased by 17.9%, with violent crime rising 16%.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Ellensburg Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 42 | 227.4 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 1 | 5.4 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 17 | 92.0 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 4 | 21.7 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 20 | 108.3 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 403 | 2,181.7 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 45 | 243.6 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 343 | 1,856.9 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 15 | 81.2 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Ellensburg vs Washington Average
How does Ellensburg's crime rate compare to the Washington state average?
| Metric | Ellensburg | Washington Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 227.4 | 439.5 | -48.3% |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,181.7 | 3,428.6 | -36.4% |
| Murder Rate | 5.4 | 4.7 | +14.6% |
| Total Crime Rate | 2,409.1 | 3,868.1 | -37.7% |
Ellensburg Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Ellensburg, Washington.
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 18,472 | 2,409.1 | 227.4 | 2,181.7 |
| 2023 | 18,367 | 2,934.6 | 196.0 | 2,738.6 |
| 2022 | 19,822 | 2,956.3 | 262.3 | 2,694.0 |
| 2021 | 21,933 | 3,136.8 | 246.2 | 2,890.6 |
| 2020 | 21,448 | 2,984.0 | 256.4 | 2,727.5 |
| 2019 | 21,324 | 3,268.6 | 211.0 | 3,057.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ellensburg, Washington safe?
Ellensburg has a safety score of 30/100, meaning it has less crime than about 30% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 2,409.1 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Ellensburg is higher-crime than most US cities.
What is the crime rate in Ellensburg, Washington?
According to FBI data for 2024, Ellensburg has a violent crime rate of 227.4 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 2,181.7 per 100,000 residents.
How does Ellensburg compare to the national average?
Ellensburg's total crime rate of 2,409.1 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The data covers 18,472 residents.
What types of crime are most common in Ellensburg?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Ellensburg include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Ellensburg safe to visit?
Like any city, Ellensburg has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 30/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.