University Place, WA Crime Map

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Crime in University Place, WA

What is University Place's overall crime grade?

University Place earns an overall crime grade of B- for 2026, meaning it performs better than many comparable suburban communities in Washington State. With a population of 33,661 and a population density of roughly 1,558 residents per square mile, the city sits in a range where community policing and neighborhood cohesion can meaningfully impact safety outcomes. A B- grade reflects a city that has real strengths — particularly in violent crime prevention — while still facing challenges common to mid-size suburban areas, such as property crime. Residents should feel generally secure while remaining appropriately informed through tools like the University Place crime map.

How does University Place's crime rate compare to similar cities?

University Place's B- overall crime grade places it in a favorable position relative to many Pacific Northwest suburbs of similar size and density. The city's median household income of $77,832 and a relatively low poverty rate of 7.1% are both factors strongly correlated with lower crime rates in research literature. Its unemployment rate of 4.7% is close to the national average, suggesting a stable local economy that helps suppress crime drivers. Compared to denser urban centers in Pierce County, University Place's crime profile is meaningfully lower, particularly for violent offenses. That said, property crime — including vehicle theft and burglary — remains the most common category residents should monitor on the crime map.

What types of crime are most common in University Place?

Property crime accounts for the majority of reported incidents in University Place, consistent with national patterns for suburban communities at this income and density level. Within property crime, vehicle theft and residential burglary tend to appear most frequently on the University Place crime map, while vandalism and theft from vehicles are also recurring report types. Violent crime — including assault — occurs at significantly lower rates and tends to cluster in specific corridors rather than being spread evenly across neighborhoods. Drug-related offenses represent a smaller share of total incidents but can be associated with property crime in certain areas. Monitoring the crime map by incident type and time filter gives the clearest picture of what is actually happening near your address.

What are the safest neighborhoods in University Place?

Areas around Chambers Bay and the western waterfront corridor are frequently cited by residents as among the most secure in University Place, benefiting from active community engagement and lower incident density. Neighborhoods near the University Place Library and well-established residential districts adjacent to local parks also tend to show fewer crime map incidents, particularly for violent offenses. The city's median home value of $388,474 reflects the desirability of these quieter, well-maintained areas. For the most current neighborhood-level breakdown, filtering the crime map by specific zip codes or using heat-map mode will reveal where incidents are concentrated versus where activity is minimal.

Is University Place a safe place to live in 2026?

By the numbers, yes — University Place is a relatively safe community in 2026. Its B- crime grade signals above-average safety for a city of its size, and key socioeconomic indicators reinforce that assessment: a 7.1% poverty rate, a $77,832 median household income, and a 4.7% unemployment rate all correlate with community stability. Median rent of $1,250 keeps the city accessible without the high-density pressures that often drive up crime in more urbanized areas. Families, professionals, and retirees consistently rate University Place highly for livability. As with any community, staying informed — checking the crime map regularly, participating in neighborhood watch programs, and reporting suspicious activity — is the best way to protect that quality of life.

How can I use the University Place crime map effectively?

To get the most out of the University Place crime map, start by filtering incidents by crime type — separating property crimes from violent offenses gives you a much clearer risk picture than viewing all incidents together. Use the time filter to identify whether incidents in your neighborhood are increasing, decreasing, or holding steady over the past 30, 60, or 90 days. The heat map view is particularly useful for spotting concentration zones — areas where multiple incident types overlap tend to warrant more caution. Given that University Place's overall grade is B-, most of the city will appear relatively low-density on the heat map, with hotspots isolated to specific corridors. Cross-referencing the map with reports from the University Place Police Department provides the most complete and verified picture of local safety trends.