Is Forest Grove or Salem Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Forest Grove is safer than Salem (Safety Score 49/100 vs 15/100), with a total crime rate of 1,704 per 100,000 versus 3,338 for Salem — 49% lower. Forest Grove has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Forest Grove has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Salem is 6.6x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Forest Grove — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Salem — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Forest Grove, OR
Salem, OR
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Forest Grove | Salem | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,704.2 | 3,337.7 | -1,633.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 337.1 | 534.5 | -197.3 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 4.5 | -4.5 |
| Rape Rate | 77.8 | 37.1 | +40.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 18.5 | 88.8 | -70.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 240.8 | 401.8 | -161.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,367.1 | 2,803.3 | -1,436.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 203.8 | 442.3 | -238.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,063.3 | 1,965.9 | -902.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 100.0 | 395.1 | -295.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Forest Grove or Salem safer?
Forest Grove is safer with a total crime rate of 1,704 per 100K vs 3,338 for Salem — a 49% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Forest Grove has a violent crime rate of 337.1 per 100K while Salem has 534.5. Forest Grove has lower violent crime.
About Forest Grove, OR
Nestled in the northern Willamette Valley, Forest Grove is a small city of roughly 26,000 residents. It is home to Pacific University, the oldest university west of the Mississippi, founded in 1849. With a safety score of 49/100 and a population coverage of 26,992, Forest Grove has a total crime rate of 1,704.2 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.