Lewiston, ID Crime Map

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Crime in Lewiston, ID

What is Lewiston's overall crime grade and what does it mean?

Lewiston earns an overall crime grade of A-, placing it among the safer small cities in Idaho and the broader Pacific Northwest. This grade reflects a crime environment that is meaningfully better than the national average for cities of comparable size. With a population of roughly 32,853 and a population density of just 732 residents per square mile, Lewiston's relatively spread-out layout contributes to lower crime concentration. An A- grade signals that while isolated incidents do occur — as in any city — the frequency and severity of crime here is well below what most Americans experience in their home communities.

How does Lewiston's crime rate compare to similar Idaho cities?

Lewiston's A- crime grade positions it favorably against other Idaho cities of similar population. The city's 3.3% unemployment rate — well below the national average — and a median household income of $54,912 are economic indicators that correlate strongly with lower crime rates. Research consistently shows that cities with unemployment below 4% and stable median incomes tend to report fewer property and violent crime incidents. Lewiston's poverty rate of 13.1% is a factor worth monitoring, as pockets of economic stress can contribute to localized property crime, but the overall picture remains positive compared to state and national benchmarks.

What types of crime are most common in Lewiston?

Property crimes — including vehicle break-ins, petty theft, and occasional burglaries — represent the most frequently reported category in Lewiston, consistent with national patterns for small cities. Violent crimes such as assaults occur at a notably lower rate, contributing to the city's strong A- overall grade. Substance-related offenses have historically appeared in incident reports, particularly in areas with higher poverty density. The Lewiston-Clarkston Valley corridor and neighborhoods closer to downtown see more foot-traffic-related incidents, while residential areas farther from the city core — including neighborhoods near Lewiston High School and the Southway Avenue corridor — tend to report fewer incidents per capita.

Which Lewiston neighborhoods are considered the safest?

Based on community data and reported incident patterns, neighborhoods in the higher-elevation areas of Lewiston — sometimes called the Lewiston Orchards or upper bench neighborhoods — tend to show lower incident density. Residential areas near Lewiston High School and along the Southway Avenue corridor are frequently cited by long-term residents as quiet and family-friendly. The lower-density suburban zones on the city's outskirts benefit from the city's overall 732-per-square-mile population density, meaning crime opportunities are naturally reduced compared to denser urban environments. Use the interactive crime map on this page to filter incidents by neighborhood and time period for the most current picture.

Is Lewiston, ID a safe place to live in 2026?

By measurable standards, yes. Lewiston's A- crime grade, combined with a 3.3% unemployment rate and a median home value of $205,243 — indicating a stable, invested ownership community — paint a picture of a city where safety is a realistic expectation for most residents. The median rent of $724 keeps housing accessible, reducing the economic stress that can drive property crime in other markets. A poverty rate of 13.1% is the one metric that warrants attention, as it exceeds the Idaho state average and can create localized vulnerability in certain blocks. Overall, however, Lewiston ranks as a genuinely safe small city, and the A- grade reflects a community where the vast majority of residents go about daily life without encountering crime.

How can I use the Lewiston crime map to make safer decisions?

The crime map on this page lets you filter incidents by type — property crime, violent crime, substance offenses — and by date range, so you can identify whether a spike in a given neighborhood is a trend or an isolated event. For example, if you're evaluating a rental near downtown Lewiston, you can check the 90-day incident history for that block versus a comparable block in the Orchards area. Given that Lewiston's overall crime grade is A-, most areas of the map will show relatively sparse activity, but micro-level differences between neighborhoods do exist. Pair the map data with the Lewiston Police Department's public reports for the most complete safety assessment before making housing or travel decisions.