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Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI 2024 crime data, Kelso, WA has a Safety Score of 36/100 — higher crime than 64% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 2,163.2 per 100,000 residents, ranking #1,898 of 2,971 US cities and #32 of 87 in Washington.
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Kelso, Washington Safe?
Kelso, Washington, a Cowlitz River city founded by Peter Crawford, is known as the "Smelt Capital of the World." Situated in Cowlitz County, it shares a border with Longview, and its population was 12,969 as of the 2020 census.
Kelso has a safety score of 36/100 (Higher Crime Than Average). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 2,163.2 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Kelso ranks #32 out of 87 cities in Washington and #1898 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 36th percentile for safety — with higher crime than 64% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in Kelso is murder, at 7.9 per 100K — 1.3x the national average. Conversely, aggravated assault is relatively low at just 0.3x the national rate.
Year over year, Kelso's total crime rate decreased by 42%, with violent crime declining 19.1%.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Kelso Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 29 | 229.8 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 1 | 7.9 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 6 | 47.5 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 11 | 87.2 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 11 | 87.2 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 244 | 1,933.4 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 36 | 285.3 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 187 | 1,481.8 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 21 | 166.4 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Kelso vs Washington Average
How does Kelso's crime rate compare to the Washington state average?
| Metric | Kelso | Washington Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 229.8 | 439.5 | -47.7% |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,933.4 | 3,428.6 | -43.6% |
| Murder Rate | 7.9 | 4.7 | +67.8% |
| Total Crime Rate | 2,163.2 | 3,868.1 | -44.1% |
Kelso Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Kelso, Washington.
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 12,620 | 2,163.2 | 229.8 | 1,933.4 |
| 2023 | 12,672 | 3,732.6 | 284.1 | 3,448.6 |
| 2022 | 12,723 | 5,077.4 | 408.7 | 4,668.7 |
| 2021 | 12,493 | 3,978.2 | 336.2 | 3,642.0 |
| 2020 | 12,476 | 3,711.1 | 344.7 | 3,366.5 |
| 2019 | 12,354 | 3,440.2 | 267.1 | 3,173.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kelso, Washington safe?
Kelso has a safety score of 36/100, meaning it has less crime than about 36% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 2,163.2 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Kelso is higher-crime than most US cities.
What is the crime rate in Kelso, Washington?
According to FBI data for 2024, Kelso has a violent crime rate of 229.8 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 1,933.4 per 100,000 residents.
How does Kelso compare to the national average?
Kelso's total crime rate of 2,163.2 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The data covers 12,620 residents.
What types of crime are most common in Kelso?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Kelso include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Kelso safe to visit?
Like any city, Kelso has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 36/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.