Is Salem or Woodburn Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Woodburn is safer than Salem (Safety Score 17/100 vs 15/100), with a total crime rate of 3,172 per 100,000 versus 3,338 for Salem — 5% lower. Salem has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Woodburn has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Salem is 5.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Salem — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Woodburn — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Salem, OR
Woodburn, OR
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Salem | Woodburn | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,337.7 | 3,172.1 | +165.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 534.5 | 278.7 | +255.7 |
| Murder Rate | 4.5 | 0.0 | +4.5 |
| Rape Rate | 37.1 | 66.4 | -29.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 88.8 | 63.0 | +25.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 401.8 | 146.0 | +255.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,803.3 | 2,893.4 | -90.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 442.3 | 139.4 | +302.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,965.9 | 2,335.9 | -370.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 395.1 | 418.1 | -23.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Salem or Woodburn safer?
Woodburn is safer with a total crime rate of 3,172 per 100K vs 3,338 for Salem — a 5% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Salem has a violent crime rate of 534.5 per 100K while Woodburn has 278.7. Woodburn has lower violent crime.
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.
About Woodburn, OR
Woodburn, Oregon, a city in the northern Willamette Valley, is known for its large Hispanic population and agricultural roots, including the annual Woodburn Fiesta Mexicana. Situated near the Pudding River, it was historically a hub for timber and farming. With a safety score of 17/100 and a population coverage of 30,138, Woodburn has a total crime rate of 3,172.1 per 100,000 residents.