Orchards, WA Crime Map

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Crime in Orchards, WA

Is Orchards, WA safe?

Orchards earns an A- overall crime grade, placing it among the safer communities in Clark County and the broader Pacific Northwest. With a population of approximately 26,289 and a population density of 1,896 people per square mile, the area maintains a suburban character that tends to correlate with lower violent crime exposure. The A- grade reflects that while Orchards is not entirely free of incidents — no community is — the frequency and severity of reported crimes remain well below national averages. Property crimes like vehicle break-ins and minor theft account for the majority of reports, while violent incidents are comparatively rare. Families, retirees, and working professionals consistently rank Orchards as a comfortable, low-stress place to live based on its crime profile.

What is the crime rate in Orchards, WA?

Orchards holds an A- crime grade, which signals a meaningfully low crime environment relative to U.S. benchmarks. The community's socioeconomic profile reinforces this picture: a median household income of $74,723 and a poverty rate of 13% sit in ranges that research consistently links to reduced property and violent crime. The unemployment rate of 8.1% is somewhat elevated, which can put mild upward pressure on opportunistic property offenses — and indeed, theft-related incidents represent the most common category reported in the area. Violent crimes such as assault or robbery are far less frequent and tend to be isolated rather than patterned across neighborhoods. Compared to larger urban centers like Portland or Seattle, Orchards' crime rate is substantially lower across virtually every category.

What are the safest neighborhoods in Orchards, WA?

Within Orchards, residential subdivisions in the northern and eastern portions of the community — including areas near The Orchards at Meadow Springs — tend to show the fewest reported incidents, benefiting from active neighborhood watch participation and well-lit, well-maintained streetscapes. Communities closer to the NE 117th Avenue corridor and established subdivisions along NE Padden Parkway also report lower crime activity, partly because higher median home values in those pockets — approaching or exceeding the city's $317,161 median home value — correlate with greater investment in home security systems and community engagement. Areas with higher rental density, where the median rent runs around $1,409 per month, can see slightly more transient activity and opportunistic property incidents, so renters in those zones benefit most from reviewing the interactive crime map regularly and coordinating with neighbors.

Is Orchards, WA a good place to live?

By most measurable indicators, yes. Orchards' A- crime grade is the headline safety metric, but the supporting data tells an equally positive story. A median household income of $74,723 exceeds the national median, and a median home value of $317,161 keeps homeownership within reach compared to high-cost metros. The 13% poverty rate — while not negligible — remains moderate, and the community's suburban density of roughly 1,896 residents per square mile strikes a balance between neighborhood cohesion and open space. The 8.1% unemployment rate is the one area that trails regional ideals, and prospective residents should factor that into financial planning. Overall, Orchards combines a strong safety profile, accessible housing costs, and proximity to Vancouver's amenities, making it a well-rounded choice for families and individuals prioritizing both affordability and low crime exposure.

How does Orchards' crime grade compare to nearby cities?

Orchards' A- overall crime grade positions it favorably against many comparable suburban communities in Southwest Washington and the greater Portland metro region. Cities of similar population size often land in the B or C range when accounting for property crime rates, making Orchards' A- a genuine differentiator. The combination of a relatively high median household income ($74,723), moderate population density (1,896 per sq mi), and an engaged residential base contributes to this above-average standing. While no single metric tells the whole story, the letter grade synthesizes multiple crime categories — violent, property, and quality-of-life offenses — and an A- across all of them signals that Orchards consistently outperforms regional and national norms rather than excelling in just one area.

What types of crime are most common in Orchards, WA?

Consistent with its A- crime grade, the most frequently reported incidents in Orchards skew heavily toward lower-severity property offenses rather than violent crimes. Theft — including shoplifting, vehicle burglary, and package theft — represents the dominant category, a pattern common to suburban communities with active retail corridors and residential areas featuring attached garages and street parking. Vandalism and minor property damage appear periodically, particularly in higher-density rental pockets where the median rent of $1,409 reflects a more transient population mix. Violent crimes such as aggravated assault, robbery, and weapons offenses are reported at rates well below national averages, reflecting the community's overall A- safety standing. Drug-related offenses are occasionally logged but have not emerged as a defining characteristic of Orchards' crime landscape. Residents can use the interactive crime map to filter by incident type and time period for the most granular, up-to-date breakdown.