Bend, OR Crime Map

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Crime in Bend, OR

Is Bend, OR safe to live in?

Bend earns an overall crime grade of A-, and when you break down the neighborhood-level data, the picture is even more impressive: all 16 neighborhoods analyzed received a Grade A rating, meaning 100% of Bend's neighborhoods fall into the "safe" category. That is a rare distinction among U.S. cities of comparable size. Neighborhoods like Awbrey Butte, Boyd Acres, and Tetherow each earned A+ grades — the highest possible — reflecting consistently low violent and property crime activity. Even the areas with the most relative crime activity, such as Orchard District, Old Bend, and Mountain View, still hold solid Grade A ratings. For a city of 107,460 residents, Bend's across-the-board safety performance is a strong indicator that it is one of Oregon's safest mid-sized cities.

What is the crime rate in Bend, OR?

Bend's crime profile is notably low across all 16 analyzed neighborhoods, with 100% of those neighborhoods graded A or better — and 10 of the 16 achieving the top A+ designation. To put that in context, the city's poverty rate sits at 10.1% and the unemployment rate is 4.4%, both of which are moderate figures that correlate with Bend's stable, low-crime environment. The safest neighborhoods, including Century West (median income: $101,335) and Summit West (median income: $95,331), reflect the relationship between economic stability and reduced crime. Even neighborhoods with lower median incomes, like Southeast Bend ($70,541) and River West ($78,623), still achieved A+ grades, demonstrating that Bend's safety is broadly distributed — not confined to wealthy enclaves.

What are the safest neighborhoods in Bend, OR?

Ten of Bend's 16 analyzed neighborhoods earned an A+ safety grade, making it difficult to pick just one "safest" area. That said, here is how the top performers break down by key metrics:

• Awbrey Butte — A+ grade, population 5,886, median household income $111,475 (highest in the city)
• Boyd Acres — A+ grade, population 5,914, median income $87,693
• Tetherow — A+ grade, smaller community of 2,486 residents, median income $104,853
• Century West — A+ grade, population 3,523, median income $101,335
• Old Farm District — A+ grade, the largest of the top-rated neighborhoods at 8,740 residents, median income $82,182
• Deschutes River Woods — A+ grade, population 2,542, median income $74,400

Notably, Seventh Mountain earns an A+ despite being Bend's smallest analyzed neighborhood at just 366 residents, suggesting that community size is not a limiting factor for safety here. Families and individuals prioritizing both safety and community size may find Old Farm District or Boyd Acres particularly appealing.

Which parts of Bend have higher crime?

Bend's "higher crime" areas are important to understand in context: every single one still holds a Grade A rating. The five neighborhoods with the most relative crime activity are Orchard District, Southern Crossing, Old Bend, Larkspur, and Mountain View — all graded A, not B, C, D, or F. This means that even Bend's least-safe neighborhoods outperform the national average by a significant margin. Visitors and new residents should be aware that Old Bend, as the city's historic downtown core, naturally sees higher foot traffic and the minor uptick in opportunistic property incidents that comes with it. Still, an A grade in any neighborhood reflects a community where serious violent crime is uncommon and day-to-day safety is the norm.

Is Bend a good place to raise a family?

The data strongly supports Bend as a family-friendly city. With 100% of neighborhoods graded A or better, a median household income of $67,973, and a median home value of $417,235, Bend offers a combination of economic stability and low crime that many families seek. The city's population density of 1,114 residents per square mile keeps it spacious compared to major metros, reducing some of the congestion-related safety concerns seen in denser urban areas. Neighborhoods like Old Farm District (8,740 residents, A+ grade) and River West (6,455 residents, A+ grade) offer larger community sizes with top-tier safety ratings — a practical combination for families wanting neighbors nearby without sacrificing security. The median rent of $1,374 also makes Bend accessible compared to other Pacific Northwest cities with similar safety profiles.

How does Bend's safety compare to other Oregon cities?

Bend's achievement of an overall A- crime grade with zero neighborhoods graded below an A is exceptional by Oregon standards. Most Oregon cities of similar or larger population — including those in the Portland metro area — show far more variation in neighborhood safety grades, with some districts falling into C, D, or even F territory. Bend's 10.1% poverty rate is lower than Oregon's statewide average, and its 4.4% unemployment rate reflects a relatively healthy local economy anchored by outdoor recreation, tourism, and a growing tech sector. These socioeconomic factors, combined with a tight-knit community culture, help explain why neighborhoods as different in income as Deschutes River Woods ($74,400 median income) and Awbrey Butte ($111,475 median income) both achieve A+ safety grades.