Violent
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Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI 2024 crime data, Shelton, WA has a Safety Score of 22/100 — higher crime than 78% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 2,872.0 per 100,000 residents, ranking #2,332 of 2,971 US cities and #50 of 87 in Washington.
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Shelton, Washington Safe?
Shelton, the "Christmas Tree Capital," is a city in Mason County, Washington. Nestled at the base of Hood Canal, it's a small community with a population of around 11,000.
Shelton has a safety score of 22/100 (High Crime). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 2,872.0 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Shelton ranks #50 out of 87 cities in Washington and #2332 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 22nd percentile for safety — with higher crime than 78% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in Shelton is rape, at 128.1 per 100K — 2.9x the national average. Conversely, murder is relatively low at just 0.0x the national rate.
Year over year, Shelton's total crime rate decreased by 15%, with violent crime declining 32.9%.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Shelton Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 52 | 475.6 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 0 | 0.0 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 14 | 128.1 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 9 | 82.3 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 29 | 265.3 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 262 | 2,396.4 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 44 | 402.5 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 183 | 1,673.8 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 35 | 320.1 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Shelton vs Washington Average
How does Shelton's crime rate compare to the Washington state average?
| Metric | Shelton | Washington Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 475.6 | 439.5 | +8.2% |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,396.4 | 3,428.6 | -30.1% |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 4.7 | -100.0% |
| Total Crime Rate | 2,872.0 | 3,868.1 | -25.8% |
Shelton Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Shelton, Washington.
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 10,933 | 2,872.0 | 475.6 | 2,396.4 |
| 2023 | 11,010 | 3,378.8 | 708.5 | 2,670.3 |
| 2022 | 11,102 | 3,999.3 | 603.5 | 3,395.8 |
| 2021 | 11,073 | 4,000.7 | 478.6 | 3,522.1 |
| 2020 | 10,749 | 5,293.5 | 455.9 | 4,837.7 |
| 2019 | 10,432 | 6,096.6 | 508.1 | 5,588.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Shelton, Washington safe?
Shelton has a safety score of 22/100, meaning it has less crime than about 22% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 2,872.0 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Shelton is among the highest-crime US cities.
What is the crime rate in Shelton, Washington?
According to FBI data for 2024, Shelton has a violent crime rate of 475.6 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 2,396.4 per 100,000 residents.
How does Shelton compare to the national average?
Shelton's total crime rate of 2,872.0 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The data covers 10,933 residents.
What types of crime are most common in Shelton?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Shelton include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Shelton safe to visit?
Like any city, Shelton has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 22/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.