Olympia, WA Crime Map

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Crime in Olympia, WA

Is Olympia, WA safe to live in?

Olympia earns an overall crime grade of B- at the city level, but when you break down the data by neighborhood, the picture becomes even more reassuring. Across all 33 neighborhoods analyzed, the city-wide safety rating rises to a Grade A (Very Safe). A full 97% of neighborhoods — 32 out of 33 — received a Grade A, and the remaining neighborhood, South Westside, still earned a Grade B+, which is well above average. Not a single neighborhood in Olympia received a C, D, or F grade. For context, that means 100% of Olympia's analyzed neighborhoods fall into the safe category (A or B), which is an exceptional outcome compared to most U.S. cities of similar size.

What is the crime rate in Olympia, WA?

Rather than relying on raw numbers alone, Olympia's crime landscape is best understood through its grade distribution. The city's overall crime grade is B-, reflecting some citywide challenges typical of a state capital with a population of 200,836 and an unemployment rate of 6.9%. However, at the neighborhood level, the data is strikingly positive: 32 of 33 neighborhoods (97%) earned an A grade, and 10 of those achieved the top mark of A+. The sole neighborhood outside the A tier — South Westside — still holds a B+ grade, indicating low crime relative to national benchmarks. Areas like Olympia Downtown (A-) and Bigelow Highlands (A-) represent the slightly more active zones, yet both remain firmly in safe territory.

What are the safest neighborhoods in Olympia?

Ten Olympia neighborhoods earned the highest possible safety rating of Grade A+. Here's a data-driven look at the top five:

• Edgewater (A+) — A small community of 234 residents with a median household income of $103,374, Edgewater consistently ranks among the city's lowest-crime areas.
• Meridian Campus (A+) — With a population of 2,441 and a median income of $103,365, this neighborhood combines size with safety, making it one of Olympia's most livable areas.
• Jubilee (A+) — Home to 647 residents and a median income of $111,324, Jubilee's strong economic profile aligns with its top-tier safety grade.
• Cain Road (A+) — The highest median income among the top neighborhoods at $122,687, serving a population of 1,949. Income levels here correlate strongly with the area's minimal crime activity.
• North Olympia (A+) — A smaller enclave of 76 residents with a median income of $96,368, North Olympia rounds out the top five safest areas in the city.

Other A+ neighborhoods include Hanna Place, Holiday Hills, Governor Stevens, Wildwood, and Watershed Park — all of which report median incomes between roughly $96,000 and $112,000, further illustrating the link between economic stability and neighborhood safety.

Which neighborhoods in Olympia have higher crime rates?

Even Olympia's relatively higher-crime neighborhoods are safe by most national standards. The areas with the most crime activity compared to the rest of the city include:

• South Westside — Grade B+: The only neighborhood outside the A tier, South Westside is the single entry in the 3% of neighborhoods graded B. A B+ is still a strong safety score and should not be interpreted as a dangerous area.
• Olympia Downtown — Grade A-: As the commercial and governmental hub of Washington's capital, Downtown sees more foot traffic and activity, which can contribute to a slightly elevated crime profile relative to quieter residential zones.
• Bigelow Highlands — Grade A-: Similar to Downtown, Bigelow Highlands sits at A-, reflecting a very safe environment with minor upticks in certain incident types.
• Somerset Hill and Upper Eastside — Grade A: Both neighborhoods earn a solid A, placing them well within the safe category despite appearing on the higher-crime list simply because the overall bar in Olympia is so high.

It's worth emphasizing that 0% of Olympia neighborhoods received a D or F grade — a distinction that sets the city apart from many comparably sized metros.

Is Olympia a good place to live in 2026?

The data makes a compelling case. Olympia combines a city-wide safety rating of Very Safe (A) with a median home value of $328,691 and a median rent of just $1,199 — both well below the national average for state capitals. The median household income of $63,185 and a poverty rate of 14.7% point to a city with economic diversity, but the safety data suggests that even neighborhoods with more modest income levels maintain strong grade outcomes. With 100% of neighborhoods graded A or B, a rich arts and outdoor culture, and Washington's governmental infrastructure driving employment, Olympia in 2026 presents a well-rounded case for residents seeking safety, affordability, and community. Neighborhoods like Cain Road, Jubilee, and Watershed Park are particularly strong options for families prioritizing both school-friendly environments and top-tier safety grades.