Ellensburg, WA Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 67% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated March 2026
Is Ellensburg Safe?
Ellensburg has a crime rate that is 33% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 389.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 389
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
33% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 64
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
15% lower than national average
Ellensburg Crime Breakdown
Estimated crime rates based on FBI UCR data, calibrated to city-level crime score.
| Crime Type | Index | vs National | Risk Level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | ||||
|
Murder
|
73 | -27% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
66 | -34% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
67 | -33% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
76 | -24% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
65 | -35% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
80 | -20% | Average | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
78 | -22% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Ellensburg Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
Ellensburg Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Ellensburg zip codes.
Ellensburg Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Ellensburg, WA?
Ellensburg, WA has a crime safety grade of B as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 33% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 389 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 64 chance for property crime. Ellensburg has lower crime than 67% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Ellensburg, WA safe to live in?
Ellensburg is generally considered a safe place to live, earning a crime grade of B. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Ellensburg is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Ellensburg?
The estimated violent crime rate in Ellensburg is 256.8 per 100,000 residents, which is 33% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 389 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 3.6 per 100K (27% below average); aggravated assault at 178.2 per 100K (34% below average); robbery at 49.5 per 100K (33% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Ellensburg?
The estimated property crime rate in Ellensburg is 1,554.1 per 100,000 residents, which is 15% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 64 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 176.2 per 100K (35% below average); larceny/theft at 1,128.5 per 100K (20% below average); vehicle theft at 249.4 per 100K (22% below average).
How does Ellensburg crime compare to the national average?
Ellensburg's overall crime rate is 33% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is larceny/theft (20% below average), while burglary is 35% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Ellensburg has lower crime than 67% of them.
Is Ellensburg safe to visit?
Ellensburg is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 15% 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.
How does Ellensburg crime compare to the rest of Washington?
Washington as a whole has crime that is 11% above the national average. Ellensburg's crime rate is 33% below the national average, making it safer the typical Washington city.
What type of crime is most common in Ellensburg?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Ellensburg, with an estimated rate of 1,128.5 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 20% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,554 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (257 per 100K) in Ellensburg, which is consistent with national trends.