Tukwila, WA Crime Map
Explore crime rates, safest neighborhoods, and detailed crime statistics
Tukwila, WA Crime Overview: What the Data Shows in 2026
Tukwila earns an overall crime grade of D+ in 2026, placing it below average compared to Washington state cities of similar size. With a population of roughly 20,265 and a population density of 851 residents per square mile, the city's crime picture is shaped by a combination of socioeconomic pressures — including a 14.3% poverty rate and a 6.5% unemployment rate — and its role as a major commercial corridor connecting Seattle to the south King County suburbs.
Crime Breakdown: Incidents First
Property crime is the dominant category in Tukwila's incident data. Theft-related offenses — including shoplifting, vehicle break-ins, and auto theft — account for the largest share of reported incidents, a pattern consistent with the city's dense retail environment anchored around the Southcenter area. Assault and other violent incidents represent a smaller but meaningful portion of the overall count, with occurrences more concentrated in higher-density residential corridors along Tukwila International Boulevard.
Drug-related incidents continue to appear across the data, particularly in areas with higher foot traffic and transient activity. Vandalism and property damage round out the most frequently reported categories, often clustering near commercial zones and transit access points.
Neighborhood-Level Safety Patterns
Tukwila's geography creates distinct safety profiles across its neighborhoods. The Tukwila International Boulevard corridor — one of the most densely populated and commercially active stretches in the city — sees a disproportionate share of both property and violent crime incidents. Residents and visitors in this area are advised to stay alert, particularly after dark.
Areas closer to Southcenter benefit from higher commercial surveillance and regular law enforcement patrols, which tend to suppress certain crime categories, though retail theft remains a persistent issue in any high-volume shopping environment. Neighborhoods near Foster High School and residential pockets to the west of the freeway corridors generally report lower incident rates, reflecting quieter, more stable residential character.
Near the Tukwila Sounder Station and transit hubs, the concentration of foot traffic creates conditions where petty theft and opportunistic crime are more likely, though these areas also benefit from transit authority security presence.
How Tukwila Compares
A D+ overall grade means Tukwila's crime rates are elevated relative to the national median. The city's median household income of $63,053 and median home value of $310,620 reflect a working- and middle-class community, but the 14.3% poverty rate — above the national average — correlates with the crime patterns observed. Compared to neighboring cities in King County, Tukwila carries a heavier crime burden than suburban peers but remains less intense than some Seattle neighborhoods.
Using the Tukwila Crime Map Effectively
The interactive crime map on this page lets you filter by incident type, date range, and neighborhood. To get the most from it:
- Start with incident type filters — isolate theft, assault, or vandalism to understand which risks are most relevant to your daily routine.
- Use the heat map layer to identify concentration zones rather than individual incidents, giving you a clearer picture of risk patterns across Tukwila International Boulevard versus quieter residential streets.
- Check date ranges — comparing the last 30 days against the last 12 months can reveal whether a particular area is trending better or worse.
- Cross-reference with the Tukwila Police Department's official crime information page for verified incident reports and community alerts.
Practical Safety Tips for Tukwila Residents
- Lock vehicles and avoid leaving valuables visible — auto-related theft is among the most reported incident types citywide.
- In higher-traffic areas like Tukwila International Boulevard, stay aware of your surroundings, especially during evening hours.
- Engage with neighborhood watch networks; community involvement has a measurable impact on property crime deterrence.
- Report non-emergency incidents promptly — accurate reporting improves the crime map data and helps direct police resources effectively.
- Use outdoor lighting and secure entry points at home, particularly in higher-density rental areas where median rent runs approximately $1,363/month and turnover can be high.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions: Tukwila Crime & Safety
What is Tukwila's crime grade in 2026?
Tukwila receives an overall crime grade of D+ in 2026. This grade reflects crime rates that are elevated compared to the national average, driven primarily by property crime concentrated in commercial and high-traffic areas. The D+ rating signals that prospective residents and visitors should take the local crime landscape seriously, while recognizing that risk varies significantly by neighborhood — areas near Southcenter differ considerably from the Tukwila International Boulevard corridor.
Is Tukwila safe to live in?
Safety in Tukwila depends heavily on which part of the city you're in. The overall D+ crime grade indicates above-average risk, but Tukwila is not uniformly dangerous. Residential neighborhoods west of the main commercial corridors and areas near Foster High School tend to be quieter and report fewer incidents. The Tukwila International Boulevard area carries a higher risk profile, particularly for property crime and assault. With a median home value of $310,620 and median household income of $63,053, the city attracts working- and middle-class families who navigate these conditions daily — many successfully — by staying informed and engaged with their communities.
What types of crime are most common in Tukwila?
Property crime — including vehicle theft, shoplifting, and theft from vehicles — represents the most frequently reported category in Tukwila. This is consistent with the city's heavy commercial activity around Southcenter and along International Boulevard. Assault incidents are the leading violent crime type, with occurrences more concentrated in higher-density residential and transit-adjacent areas. Drug-related offenses and vandalism also appear regularly in the incident data, particularly near transit hubs like the Tukwila Sounder Station.
Which neighborhoods in Tukwila have the most crime?
Based on available incident data, the Tukwila International Boulevard corridor consistently shows the highest concentration of both property and violent crime incidents in the city. Transit-adjacent areas near the Tukwila Sounder Station also see elevated incident counts. By contrast, residential areas further from the main commercial strips — including neighborhoods near Foster High School — tend to have a lower incident density. The crime map on this page allows you to explore these patterns visually and filter by incident type to see which areas carry the most relevant risk for your situation.
How does Tukwila's crime rate compare to other King County cities?
Tukwila's D+ overall crime grade places it below average within King County. Its 6.5% unemployment rate and 14.3% poverty rate — both above regional norms — contribute to a crime environment more challenging than suburban neighbors like Renton's quieter residential zones or Burien's lower-density areas. That said, Tukwila is not among the highest-crime jurisdictions in the region; its grade reflects consistent elevated risk rather than extreme outlier status. The city's ongoing commercial development and community policing efforts are factors that residents cite when describing incremental improvements in specific neighborhoods.
Is Tukwila International Boulevard safe?
Tukwila International Boulevard is one of the city's most active commercial and residential corridors, and it carries a higher crime risk than other parts of Tukwila. Incident data shows elevated rates of theft, assault, and drug-related offenses along this stretch. That said, the boulevard is heavily trafficked during daytime hours and has an active commercial presence that provides some natural surveillance. Exercising heightened awareness, avoiding isolated areas after dark, and securing personal property are practical steps for anyone spending time on International Boulevard.