Lakewood, WA Crime Rate & Safety
Higher crime than 85% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Lakewood Safe?
Not really — crime is above the national average
Neighborhood choice matters significantly. Stay aware of your surroundings, especially at night.
Lakewood has a crime rate that is 42% above the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 185.
However, safety varies dramatically by neighborhood. Areas like Lakewood earn an B+ safety grade, while Lakewood rates B+. Understanding which neighborhoods are safe is critical for anyone living in, moving to, or visiting Lakewood.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 185
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
42% higher than national average
Property Crime
1 in 31
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
75% higher than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Lakewood 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
|
139 | +39% | Moderate | |
|
Assault
|
146 | +46% | Moderate | |
|
Robbery
|
145 | +45% | Moderate | |
|
Rape
|
105 | +5% | Average | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
144 | +44% | Moderate | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
167 | +67% | Moderate | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
150 | +50% | Moderate | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Lakewood Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Where Is It Safe in Lakewood?
Safety varies dramatically across Lakewood's 1+ neighborhoods.
Safest Neighborhoods
Top 1Areas with Higher Crime
Bottom 1Neighborhood Safety Distribution
Out of 1 neighborhoods in Lakewood
All Lakewood Neighborhoods
| # | Neighborhood | Grade | Crime Index |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lakewood | B+ | 127 |
Lakewood Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Lakewood zip codes.
Lakewood Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Lakewood, WA?
Lakewood, WA has a crime safety grade of C- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 42% above the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 185 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 31 chance for property crime. Lakewood has higher crime than 85% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Lakewood, WA safe to live in?
Lakewood has a moderate level of crime with a safety grade of C-. Approximately 100% of the city's 1 neighborhoods are rated A or B for safety. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. For example, Lakewood is one of the safest areas, while Lakewood has higher crime rates. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Lakewood is strongly recommended.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Lakewood?
Based on 2026 crime data, the safest neighborhoods in Lakewood are Lakewood. These areas have significantly lower crime rates than the city average and are popular choices for families, professionals, and anyone prioritizing safety.
What are the most dangerous areas in Lakewood?
The neighborhoods with the highest crime rates in Lakewood include Lakewood. These areas experience significantly more crime than the city average. Visitors and prospective residents should exercise extra caution in these neighborhoods, particularly at night.
What is the violent crime rate in Lakewood?
The estimated violent crime rate in Lakewood is 540.9 per 100,000 residents, which is 42% higher than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 185 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 7.0 per 100K (39% above average); aggravated assault at 391.6 per 100K (46% above average); robbery at 107.1 per 100K (45% above average).
What is the property crime rate in Lakewood?
The estimated property crime rate in Lakewood is 3,211.8 per 100,000 residents, which is 75% higher than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 31 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 388.0 per 100K (44% above average); larceny/theft at 2,344.1 per 100K (67% above average); vehicle theft at 479.7 per 100K (50% above average).
How does Lakewood crime compare to the national average?
Lakewood's overall crime rate is 42% above the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is larceny/theft (67% above average), while rape is 5% above average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Lakewood has higher crime than 85% of them.
Is Lakewood safe to visit?
Visitors to Lakewood should take standard urban precautions. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 75% above 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 Lakewood.
How does Lakewood crime compare to the rest of Washington?
Washington as a whole has crime that is 11% above the national average. Lakewood's crime rate is 42% above the national average, making it more dangerous than the typical Washington city.
What type of crime is most common in Lakewood?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Lakewood, with an estimated rate of 2,344.1 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 67% above the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (3,212 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (541 per 100K) in Lakewood, which is consistent with national trends.