Bellingham, WA Crime Rate & Safety

Bellingham, WA has a crime safety grade of B as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 30% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 367 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 57 chance for property crime. Bellingham has lower crime than 62% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).

Bellingham is generally considered a safe place to live, earning a crime grade of B. Approximately 100% of the city's 27 neighborhoods are rated A or B for safety. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. For example, Silver Beach is one of the safest areas, while Irongate has higher crime rates. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Bellingham is strongly recommended.

Based on 2026 crime data, the safest neighborhoods in Bellingham are Silver Beach, Geneva, Western Washington University, Sudden Valley, and Columbia. These areas have significantly lower crime rates than the city average and are popular choices for families, professionals, and anyone prioritizing safety.

The neighborhoods with the highest crime rates in Bellingham include Irongate, King Mountain, Birchwood, Cordata, and Happy Valley. These areas experience significantly more crime than the city average. Visitors and prospective residents should exercise extra caution in these neighborhoods, particularly at night.

The estimated violent crime rate in Bellingham is 272.7 per 100,000 residents, which is 28% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 367 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 3.9 per 100K (23% below average); aggravated assault at 183.3 per 100K (32% below average); robbery at 57.4 per 100K (22% below average).

The estimated property crime rate in Bellingham is 1,750.6 per 100,000 residents, which is 4% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 57 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 170.0 per 100K (37% below average); larceny/theft at 1,296.5 per 100K (8% below average); vehicle theft at 284.1 per 100K (11% below average).

Bellingham's overall crime rate is 30% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is larceny/theft (8% below average), while burglary is 37% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Bellingham has lower crime than 62% of them.

Bellingham is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 4% below average, which is typically the main concern for tourists. Avoid leaving valuables in vehicles, stay aware of your surroundings in unfamiliar areas, and stick to well-traveled neighborhoods. Popular, safer areas for visitors include Silver Beach, Geneva, Western Washington University.

Washington as a whole has crime that is 11% above the national average. Bellingham's crime rate is 30% below the national average, making it safer the typical Washington city.

Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Bellingham, with an estimated rate of 1,296.5 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 8% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,751 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (273 per 100K) in Bellingham, which is consistent with national trends.