Lake Tapps, WA Crime Map

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Lake Tapps, WA Crime & Safety

What is Lake Tapps's overall crime grade?

Lake Tapps earns an A overall crime grade — one of the strongest safety ratings a community can receive. This grade reflects a crime environment that is significantly safer than the national average. With a population of 12,129 residents spread across a relatively low-density area of 382 people per square mile, Lake Tapps benefits from the kind of tight-knit, watchful community dynamic that naturally deters criminal activity. The A grade places Lake Tapps among the safest communities in Washington State.

How does Lake Tapps's crime rate compare to national averages?

Lake Tapps's A crime grade signals that its crime rates fall well below national benchmarks. Several key socioeconomic indicators help explain this performance: the city's poverty rate of just 2.4% is dramatically lower than the U.S. average of roughly 12–13%, and its unemployment rate of 2.9% similarly undercuts national figures. Research consistently shows that communities with low poverty and low unemployment experience fewer property crimes and violent incidents. Paired with a median household income of $115,504 — nearly double the national median — Lake Tapps's economic profile strongly supports its top-tier safety standing.

Is Lake Tapps safe to live in?

Yes — Lake Tapps is considered one of the safer communities in the greater Puget Sound region. Its A overall crime grade reflects consistently low incident rates across both property and violent crime categories. The community's affluence also plays a measurable role: with a median home value of $477,602 and a median rent of $1,482, the area attracts stable, long-term residents who invest in their neighborhoods. Areas around Lake Tapps Park, the Sunrise subdivision, and North Lake Tapps are particularly well-regarded for their family-friendly character and active neighborhood involvement. Standard precautions — locking vehicles, securing homes, and reporting suspicious activity to the Bonney Lake Police Department — remain advisable even in a low-crime community like this one.

What types of crime are most common in Lake Tapps?

In communities with an A crime grade and demographic characteristics like Lake Tapps's — a 2.4% poverty rate, 2.9% unemployment, and high median income — property crimes such as vehicle prowling and opportunistic theft tend to represent the most frequent incident categories, while violent crime remains rare. Recreational areas around the lake and popular park zones can occasionally see minor property incidents, particularly during peak summer months when visitor traffic increases. Residents in neighborhoods like Sunrise and North Lake Tapps report that these incidents are infrequent and typically minor in nature. For the most current incident-type breakdown, the Bonney Lake Police Department's crime reports and platforms like CrimeMapping.com provide up-to-date data.

What are the safest neighborhoods in Lake Tapps?

Lake Tapps's overall A crime grade suggests that safety is strong community-wide, but certain neighborhoods stand out. The subdivisions surrounding Lake Tapps Park, as well as Sunrise and North Lake Tapps, are consistently regarded as among the most secure. These areas feature well-maintained streets, active homeowner associations, and strong neighbor-to-neighbor communication — all factors that correlate with lower crime incidence. The community's low population density of 382 people per square mile also means that unusual activity is more likely to be noticed and reported, acting as an organic deterrent.

Does Lake Tapps's income level affect its crime rate?

Socioeconomic data strongly suggests it does. Lake Tapps's median household income of $115,504 and median home value of $477,602 place it in the upper tier of Washington communities by wealth. Academic and law enforcement research consistently finds that higher median incomes correlate with lower rates of both property and violent crime. Lake Tapps's poverty rate of 2.4% — compared to a national average closer to 12% — means that the economic stressors most often associated with crime are largely absent here. This combination of high income, low poverty, and low unemployment (2.9%) forms a powerful socioeconomic foundation for the city's A crime grade.

Is Lake Tapps a good place to raise a family from a safety perspective?

From a crime and safety standpoint, Lake Tapps scores exceptionally well for families. The A overall crime grade, combined with a poverty rate of just 2.4% and an unemployment rate of 2.9%, creates a stable environment where children and families can thrive with minimal safety concerns. The city's 12,129 residents enjoy a community scale that fosters familiarity among neighbors — a well-documented factor in crime prevention. Recreational assets like Lake Tapps Park provide safe, family-oriented outdoor spaces. When you layer in the strong economic indicators — a median household income of $115,504 and median home value approaching $478,000 — Lake Tapps presents a compelling case as one of the safer and more desirable family communities in Pierce County.