Ashland, OR Crime Map

How Safe Is Ashland, Oregon in 2026?

Ashland earns an overall crime grade of B+ city-wide, while its neighborhood-level analysis tells an even more impressive story: the city-wide safety rating climbs to a full A (Very Safe) when examined across all 17 neighborhoods. That means 94.1% of Ashland's neighborhoods carry a Grade A, and the remaining 5.9% hold a Grade B — putting the city at 100% of neighborhoods rated Safe (A or B combined). For a city of 21,138 residents nestled in the Rogue Valley, that is a remarkably consistent safety profile.

Neighborhood-by-Neighborhood Safety Breakdown

Of the 17 neighborhoods analyzed, the standout performer is 3 Tiers of Ashland, the only area to achieve a coveted A+ grade. With a population of about 1,270 and a median household income of $72,702, this neighborhood represents the gold standard for safety in the city. Close behind are perennial favorites like Lithia Park (Grade A, median income $80,673) and Mountain Meadows (Grade A, median income $73,410) — both of which pair high incomes with exceptionally low crime activity.

The Skidmore Academy District (Grade A, income $76,024) and University District (Grade A, income $49,983) round out a diverse set of safe neighborhoods that span different income levels, demonstrating that safety in Ashland is not limited to its wealthiest pockets. Even more modest-income areas like Normal Avenue (Grade A, income $57,656) and Oak Knoll (Grade A, income $57,854) maintain strong safety ratings.

On the higher end of the crime spectrum — though still well within safe territory — Central Ashland holds a Grade B+, making it the only neighborhood that falls below an A-range rating. Areas like South Ashland, Southern Oregon University, and the Siskiyou-Hargadine District all sit at Grade A-, while the Railroad District earns a solid Grade A.

What the Grade Distribution Tells Us

The grade distribution across Ashland's 17 neighborhoods is striking in its uniformity:

• Grade A (including A+ and A-): 16 neighborhoods — 94.1% of the city
• Grade B (including B+): 1 neighborhood — 5.9% of the city
• Grade C, D, or F: 0 neighborhoods — 0%

Not a single neighborhood in Ashland falls below a B+. This places Ashland in a rare category among Oregon cities and reflects a community where safety is broadly distributed rather than concentrated in a few elite enclaves. Whether you are considering the arts-adjacent Siskiyou-Hargadine District, the student-heavy Southern Oregon University area, or the quieter Northwest Ashland (Grade A, income $67,845), you are looking at a safe environment by any reasonable measure.

Economic Context and Safety

Ashland's safety picture exists alongside a nuanced economic backdrop. The median household income of $58,364 sits modestly below Oregon's statewide median, and a poverty rate of 18.7% is notably higher than national averages — partly driven by the large student population at Southern Oregon University and the seasonal nature of tourism and theater employment. Yet despite these economic pressures, crime rates remain low across the board. The 5% unemployment rate and a median home value of $474,293 reflect a city with strong housing demand and a stable, if economically diverse, residential base. The median rent of $1,103 is relatively affordable compared to the home values, suggesting a healthy rental market that supports a mixed-income community without concentrating disadvantage in any single neighborhood.

Understanding the Safest Corners of Ashland

If maximum safety is your priority, the data points clearly toward a cluster of high-performing neighborhoods. Lithia Park — adjacent to the famous park of the same name — combines a small residential population of just 305 with the highest median income among the top neighborhoods at $80,673 and a Grade A safety rating. Mountain Meadows, with only 217 residents and a $73,410 median income, is similarly quiet and secure. These smaller neighborhoods benefit from tight community cohesion and lower foot traffic.

For those who prefer a more populated setting, 3 Tiers of Ashland (1,270 residents, A+) and the Skidmore Academy District (1,008 residents, A) demonstrate that larger neighborhoods can maintain top-tier safety. The University District, despite its younger demographic and lower median income of $49,983, still earns a Grade A — a testament to effective community policing and campus safety culture around Southern Oregon University.

Central Ashland: The City's Busiest Safety Zone

Central Ashland's Grade B+ is worth understanding in context. As the commercial and cultural hub of the city — home to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival theaters, downtown restaurants, and high pedestrian traffic — it naturally sees more incident reports than quieter residential neighborhoods. A B+ in a city where every other neighborhood earns an A-range grade is not a red flag; it is the expected pattern for any active downtown core. Visitors and residents should simply apply standard urban awareness: secure valuables, stay aware of surroundings, and enjoy what is one of Oregon's most vibrant small-city downtowns.