Is Ferndale or Seattle Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Ferndale is safer than Seattle (Safety Score 49/100 vs 2/100), with a total crime rate of 1,706 per 100,000 versus 5,783 for Seattle — 70% lower. Ferndale has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Ferndale has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Seattle is 46.6x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Ferndale — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Seattle — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Ferndale, WA
Seattle, WA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Ferndale | Seattle | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,706.3 | 5,783.1 | -4,076.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 104.3 | 775.5 | -671.1 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 6.8 | -6.8 |
| Rape Rate | 24.6 | 46.3 | -21.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 12.3 | 220.6 | -208.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 67.5 | 501.3 | -433.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,601.9 | 5,007.6 | -3,405.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 233.2 | 1,152.0 | -918.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,295.0 | 2,882.0 | -1,587.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 73.7 | 973.6 | -900.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ferndale or Seattle safer?
Ferndale is safer with a total crime rate of 1,706 per 100K vs 5,783 for Seattle — a 70% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Ferndale has a violent crime rate of 104.3 per 100K while Seattle has 775.5. Ferndale has lower violent crime.
About Ferndale, WA
Nestled on the Nooksack River, Ferndale, WA is a town of over 13,000 residents, known for its historic Pioneer Park. The town's early economy was driven by timber and agriculture. With a safety score of 49/100 and a population coverage of 16,293, Ferndale has a total crime rate of 1,706.3 per 100,000 residents.
About Seattle, WA
Seattle, a major port city in the Pacific Northwest, is known for its vibrant music scene, particularly grunge, which emerged here. Situated on an isthmus between Puget Sound and Lake Washington, it’s home to a diverse population with a strong tech industry presence. With a safety score of 2/100 and a population coverage of 760,058, Seattle has a total crime rate of 5,783.1 per 100,000 residents.