Violent
Property
Total
Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI crime data, Yelm, WA has a Safety Score of 37/100 — higher crime than 63% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 2,153.4 per 100,000 residents, ranking #1,871 of 2,957 US cities and #31 of 87 in Washington.
Quiz: which of these is MORE DANGEROUS than Yelm, WA?
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Yelm, Washington Safe?
Yelm, a small city in Thurston County, is known for its rural character and views of Mount Rainier. Historically a logging and agricultural hub, it has seen a recent population increase, drawing new residents to its quiet, forested surroundings.
Yelm has a safety score of 37/100 (Higher Crime Than Average). Based on FBI data, the city reported a total crime rate of 2,153.4 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,785.9 per 100,000.
Yelm ranks #31 out of 87 cities in Washington and #1871 out of 2957 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 37th percentile for safety — with higher crime than 63% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in Yelm is rape, at 64.7 per 100K — 1.5x the national average. Conversely, murder is relatively low at just 0.0x the national rate.
Year over year, Yelm's total crime rate decreased by 31.1%, with violent crime declining 3.9%.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Yelm Crime Statistics Breakdown
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 30 | 277.3 | 478.2 |
| Murder | 0 | 0.0 | 6.3 |
| Rape | 7 | 64.7 | 43.8 |
| Robbery | 3 | 27.7 | 94.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 20 | 184.8 | 333.5 |
| Property Crime | 203 | 1,876.2 | 2,307.7 |
| Burglary | 31 | 286.5 | 292.0 |
| Larceny-Theft | 160 | 1,478.7 | 1,657.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 12 | 110.9 | 358.0 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Yelm vs Washington Average
How does Yelm's crime rate compare to the Washington state average?
| Metric | Yelm | Washington Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 277.3 | 439.5 | -36.9% |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,876.2 | 3,428.6 | -45.3% |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 4.7 | -100.0% |
| Total Crime Rate | 2,153.4 | 3,868.1 | -44.3% |
Yelm Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Yelm, Washington.
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 10,820 | 2,153.4 | 277.3 | 1,876.2 |
| 2022 | 10,749 | 3,125.9 | 288.4 | 2,837.5 |
Yelm Crime Map — Surrounding Area
City-level crime rates from FBI data for Yelm and nearby cities — green is safer, red is higher-crime; circle size is population. Not an incident-level map. Full state view: Washington crime map.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Yelm, Washington safe?
Yelm has a safety score of 37/100, meaning it has less crime than about 37% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 2,153.4 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Yelm is higher-crime than most US cities.
What is the crime rate in Yelm, Washington?
According to FBI data for 2024, Yelm has a violent crime rate of 277.3 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 1,876.2 per 100,000 residents.
How does Yelm compare to the national average?
Yelm's total crime rate of 2,153.4 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The data covers 10,820 residents.
What types of crime are most common in Yelm?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Yelm are larceny-theft (160 reported incidents) and burglary (31 reported incidents). Property crime outnumbers violent crime 6.8x in the city.
Is Yelm safe to visit?
Like any city, Yelm has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 37/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.