Port Angeles, WA Crime Map

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Crime in Port Angeles, WA

Is Port Angeles safe compared to other Washington cities?

Port Angeles earns an overall crime grade of B+, which reflects a meaningfully safer environment than many comparably sized Washington cities. With a population of roughly 20,071 and a density of 723 residents per square mile, the city is compact enough that law enforcement can maintain a visible presence across most neighborhoods. Property crime remains the dominant concern — as it does statewide — while violent crime rates stay well below what you'd find in larger metro areas like Tacoma or Spokane. For residents and visitors exploring areas like Happy Valley or the downtown waterfront district, the B+ grade signals that Port Angeles sits comfortably in the safer tier of Pacific Northwest communities.

What is the crime rate in Port Angeles, and how is it measured?

Rather than citing raw numeric scores, the most meaningful way to evaluate Port Angeles is through its B+ overall crime grade — a composite that weighs both property and violent crime frequencies against population. Port Angeles's poverty rate of 14.6% and unemployment rate of 5.6% are two socioeconomic indicators that researchers consistently link to property crime trends. Despite those pressures, the city's crime profile remains relatively contained. Property offenses such as theft, vehicle break-ins, and vandalism account for the largest share of incidents and are concentrated primarily in commercial corridors near the downtown port area. Violent incidents — assaults and disturbances — occur at a much lower frequency and tend to be clustered rather than spread evenly across all neighborhoods.

What are the safest neighborhoods in Port Angeles?

Based on community feedback and available incident distribution data, several areas in Port Angeles stand out for lower crime activity. Happy Valley, a residential neighborhood popular with families and retirees, consistently reports fewer property crime incidents than the city average. The West Port Angeles corridor, which includes quieter suburban streets away from the commercial waterfront, also tends to see lower incident density. By contrast, the downtown district — while vibrant and walkable — concentrates a higher share of theft and vandalism reports given its commercial density. Residents evaluating neighborhoods should note that Port Angeles's overall B+ grade means even its more active areas compare favorably to urban benchmarks.

How does Port Angeles's median income affect its crime profile?

Port Angeles carries a median household income of $48,567 and a poverty rate of 14.6% — figures that sit below Washington state medians. Economic stress at the household level is one of the most consistent predictors of property crime in criminological research. That context helps explain why theft and vandalism represent a disproportionate share of Port Angeles's incident mix relative to violent crime. However, the city's B+ overall grade demonstrates that community policing efforts, neighborhood cohesion, and the relatively low population density of 723 people per square mile help offset those pressures. A median home value of $231,677 and median rent of $980 also reflect a housing market that, while modest, keeps displacement stress lower than in high-cost coastal cities.

Is Port Angeles a good place to live from a safety standpoint?

For most residents, Port Angeles's B+ crime grade makes it a genuinely comfortable place to put down roots. To put that in perspective, a B+ grade means the city outperforms a significant majority of U.S. cities of similar size on combined crime metrics. The unemployment rate of 5.6% is close to national averages, and while the 14.6% poverty rate signals economic strain for some households, it has not translated into the elevated violent crime levels seen in cities with comparable poverty figures. Neighborhoods like Happy Valley and West Port Angeles offer particularly low incident rates, making them attractive for families. Those who prioritize outdoor access — Olympic National Park is minutes away — will find that Port Angeles delivers both natural amenity and solid community safety in the same package.

What types of crime are most common in Port Angeles?

Property crime dominates Port Angeles's incident profile, consistent with patterns across most small Pacific Northwest cities. Theft — including shoplifting and vehicle break-ins — accounts for the largest share of reported incidents, with activity concentrated around the downtown waterfront and commercial strips. Vandalism and burglary represent the next most frequent categories. Violent crime, including assaults, occurs at a substantially lower rate and is not evenly distributed; incidents tend to cluster in areas with higher foot traffic during evening hours rather than in residential zones like Happy Valley. Substance-related offenses are also monitored closely by the Port Angeles Police Department, as they frequently correlate with property crime spikes. The city's B+ overall grade reflects the fact that, while these categories exist, their frequency remains well-managed relative to population size.