Mercer Island, WA Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 77% of major U.S. cities
Safety varies across 21+ neighborhoods — Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Mercer Island Safe?
Yes — Mercer Island is safer than most cities
An above-average city for safety with lower crime than the national average.
Mercer Island has a crime rate that is 41% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 306.
However, safety varies dramatically by neighborhood. Areas like Island Point earn an A+ safety grade, while Downtown Mercer Island rates B. Understanding which neighborhoods are safe is critical for anyone living in, moving to, or visiting Mercer Island.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 306
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
14% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 59
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
7% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Mercer Island 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
|
49 | -51% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
96 | -4% | Average | |
|
Robbery
|
58 | -42% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
69 | -31% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
82 | -18% | Average | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
84 | -16% | Average | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
93 | -7% | Average | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Mercer Island Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Where Is It Safe in Mercer Island?
Safety varies dramatically across Mercer Island's 21+ neighborhoods.
Safest Neighborhoods
Top 10Neighborhood Safety Distribution
Out of 21 neighborhoods in Mercer Island
All Mercer Island Neighborhoods
| # | Neighborhood | Grade | Crime Index |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Island Point | A+ | 6 |
| 2 | Mercer Island Estates | A+ | 7 |
| 3 | Lakeview Highlands | A+ | 20 |
| 4 | Tarywood | A+ | 7 |
| 5 | Parkwest | A+ | 14 |
| 6 | Groveland | A+ | 20 |
| 7 | Scalzo Scar | A+ | 18 |
| 8 | Parkwood / Mercer Firs | A+ | 17 |
| 9 | Forest Avenue | A+ | 13 |
| 10 | Appleton | A | 28 |
| 11 | East Mercer | A | 30 |
| 12 | The Plateau | A | 15 |
| 13 | Mercerwood | A | 19 |
| 14 | The Gold Coast | A | 30 |
| 15 | North Mercer | A | 33 |
| 16 | Fruitland / El Dorado | A- | 53 |
| 17 | Mercerdale | A- | 107 |
| 18 | First Hill | A- | 126 |
| 19 | Shorewood | A- | 116 |
| 20 | East Seattle | A- | 140 |
| 21 | Downtown Mercer Island | B | 168 |
Mercer Island Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Mercer Island zip codes.
Mercer Island Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Mercer Island, WA?
Mercer Island, WA has a crime safety grade of B+ as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 41% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 306 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 59 chance for property crime. Mercer Island has lower crime than 77% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Mercer Island, WA safe to live in?
Mercer Island is generally considered a safe place to live, earning a crime grade of B+. Approximately 100% of the city's 21 neighborhoods are rated A or B for safety. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. For example, Island Point is one of the safest areas, while Downtown Mercer Island has higher crime rates. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Mercer Island is strongly recommended.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Mercer Island?
Based on 2026 crime data, the safest neighborhoods in Mercer Island are Island Point, Mercer Island Estates, Groveland, Scalzo Scar, and Lakeview Highlands. 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 Mercer Island?
The neighborhoods with the highest crime rates in Mercer Island include Downtown Mercer Island, East Seattle, Shorewood, Mercerdale, and Fruitland / El Dorado. 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 Mercer Island?
The estimated violent crime rate in Mercer Island is 326.3 per 100,000 residents, which is 14% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 306 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 2.4 per 100K (51% below average); aggravated assault at 257.8 per 100K (4% below average); robbery at 43.0 per 100K (42% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Mercer Island?
The estimated property crime rate in Mercer Island is 1,697.0 per 100,000 residents, which is 7% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 59 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 220.9 per 100K (18% below average); larceny/theft at 1,181.0 per 100K (16% below average); vehicle theft at 295.1 per 100K (7% below average).
How does Mercer Island crime compare to the national average?
Mercer Island's overall crime rate is 41% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is assault (4% below average), while murder is 51% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Mercer Island has lower crime than 77% of them.
Is Mercer Island safe to visit?
Mercer Island is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 7% 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 Island Point, Mercer Island Estates, Groveland.
How does Mercer Island crime compare to the rest of Washington?
Washington as a whole has crime that is 11% above the national average. Mercer Island's crime rate is 41% below the national average, making it safer the typical Washington city.
What type of crime is most common in Mercer Island?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Mercer Island, with an estimated rate of 1,181.0 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 16% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,697 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (326 per 100K) in Mercer Island, which is consistent with national trends.