Is Cornelius or Salem Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Cornelius is safer than Salem (Safety Score 43/100 vs 15/100), with a total crime rate of 1,925 per 100,000 versus 3,338 for Salem — 42% lower. Cornelius has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Cornelius has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Salem is 11.3x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Cornelius — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Salem — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Cornelius, OR
Salem, OR
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Cornelius | Salem | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,925.0 | 3,337.7 | -1,412.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 323.0 | 534.5 | -211.5 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 4.5 | -4.5 |
| Rape Rate | 63.3 | 37.1 | +26.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 31.7 | 88.8 | -57.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 228.0 | 401.8 | -173.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,602.1 | 2,803.3 | -1,201.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 95.0 | 442.3 | -347.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,437.4 | 1,965.9 | -528.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 69.7 | 395.1 | -325.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cornelius or Salem safer?
Cornelius is safer with a total crime rate of 1,925 per 100K vs 3,338 for Salem — a 42% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Cornelius has a violent crime rate of 323.0 per 100K while Salem has 534.5. Cornelius has lower violent crime.
About Cornelius, OR
Cornelius is a small city in Washington County, known for its agricultural roots and proximity to the Tualatin Valley's wine country. Its population of around 12,000 residents enjoys a quiet, suburban atmosphere. With a safety score of 43/100 and a population coverage of 15,792, Cornelius has a total crime rate of 1,925.0 per 100,000 residents.
About Salem, OR
Salem, Oregon, the state capital, is bisected by the Willamette River. It's home to Willamette University, the oldest university in the Western United States, and boasts a population of over 180,000 residents. With a safety score of 15/100 and a population coverage of 177,936, Salem has a total crime rate of 3,337.7 per 100,000 residents.