Vashon, WA Crime Map

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Crime in Vashon, WA

Is Vashon, WA safe to live in?

Vashon earns an overall crime grade of A-, placing it among the safest communities in Washington State. When we analyzed all six distinct neighborhoods on the island, every single one received a Grade A rating — meaning 100% of Vashon neighborhoods fall into the top safety tier. No neighborhood scored below an A, and none were graded B, C, D, or F. For context, many similarly sized communities across the Pacific Northwest have 20–40% of their neighborhoods in the C range or lower. Vashon's island geography, low population density of just 108 residents per square mile, and tight-knit community culture all contribute to this exceptional safety profile.

What is the crime rate in Vashon compared to other communities?

Vashon's city-wide safety rating is classified as Very Safe (A). All six analyzed neighborhoods — Chautauqua Beach, Dockton, Gold Beach, Burton Acres, Evergreen Place, and Vashon Heights — received Grade A ratings, representing 100% of the island's analyzed population. The combined share of safe neighborhoods (Grade A or B) stands at 100%, with Grade A neighborhoods alone accounting for the full 100%. This is a notably strong outcome: in many U.S. communities of comparable size (around 10,000–15,000 residents), Grade A neighborhoods typically represent only 30–50% of the total. Vashon's low poverty rate of 9% and unemployment rate of 4.8% correlate with its low crime environment, as economic stability is one of the strongest predictors of community safety.

What are the safest neighborhoods in Vashon?

Every neighborhood on Vashon is safe, but here is how the top-rated areas break down by grade and key statistics:

• Chautauqua Beach — Grade A+: The only neighborhood to achieve a top A+ rating. Home to approximately 130 residents with a median household income of $109,699, it represents the island's single safest enclave.
• Dockton — Grade A: A small community of about 71 residents with the highest median income on the island at $118,868, reflecting both economic strength and very low crime activity.
• Gold Beach — Grade A: With just 38 residents and a median income of $120,833 — the highest of any Vashon neighborhood — Gold Beach combines exclusivity with an excellent safety record.
• Burton Acres — Grade A: Approximately 89 residents with a median income of $101,630, earning a solid Grade A for safety.
• Evergreen Place — Grade A: The most populous of the top-rated neighborhoods at 295 residents, with a median income of $106,667 and a consistent Grade A safety rating.
• Vashon Heights — Grade A: Home to around 211 residents and a median income of $101,896, rounding out the island's uniformly safe neighborhood profile.

Notably, the median household incomes across these neighborhoods range from approximately $101,630 to $120,833 — all well above the island-wide median of $78,368 — suggesting a strong link between economic stability and safety outcomes in these areas.

Is Vashon a good place to raise a family?

By nearly every data-driven measure, Vashon scores exceptionally well for families. The island's A- overall crime grade and 100% Grade A neighborhood distribution mean that families can choose to live anywhere on the island without encountering a high-crime zone. The median home value of $552,824 reflects a stable, in-demand housing market, while the median household income of $78,368 and a poverty rate of only 9% indicate broad economic health. With a population of just 10,400 spread across a low-density landscape of 108 people per square mile, the island avoids the congestion and anonymity that can contribute to higher crime in urban areas. Neighborhoods like Evergreen Place (295 residents, Grade A) and Vashon Heights (211 residents, Grade A) offer the largest community footprints while maintaining top-tier safety ratings.

How does Vashon's safety rating affect home values and rental costs?

Vashon's strong safety profile is reflected directly in its real estate market. The median home value sits at $552,824 — significantly above the Washington State median — and the median rent is $1,188 per month. Research consistently shows that neighborhoods with Grade A safety ratings command a price premium of 10–20% over comparable Grade C or D neighborhoods. On Vashon, where all six neighborhoods carry Grade A ratings, this premium is effectively baked into island-wide pricing. The highest-income neighborhoods — Gold Beach ($120,833 median income), Dockton ($118,868), and Chautauqua Beach ($109,699) — also tend to have the most robust property values, reinforcing the correlation between safety grades, income levels, and housing costs.

Where can I find official crime data for Vashon, WA?

Because Vashon Island is an unincorporated community within King County, crime reporting and law enforcement fall under the jurisdiction of the King County Sheriff's Office. Their website publishes incident reports, arrest logs, and community safety bulletins specific to the island. For mapped, visual crime data, third-party platforms that aggregate public incident reports can also be useful for tracking trends across neighborhoods like Chautauqua Beach, Dockton, and Vashon Heights over time. Combining official sheriff data with neighborhood-level grade analysis — as shown on this page — gives the most complete picture of safety on the island.