Olympia, WA Crime Rate & Safety

Olympia, WA has a crime safety grade of B- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 26% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 359 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 57 chance for property crime. Olympia has lower crime than 57% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).

Olympia is generally considered a safe place to live, earning a crime grade of B-. Approximately 100% of the city's 33 neighborhoods are rated A or B for safety. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. For example, Edgewater is one of the safest areas, while South Westside has higher crime rates. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Olympia is strongly recommended.

Based on 2026 crime data, the safest neighborhoods in Olympia are Edgewater, Meridian Campus, Jubilee, Cain Road, and North Olympia. 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 Olympia include South Westside, Olympia Downtown, Bigelow Highlands, Somerset Hill, and Upper Eastside. 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 Olympia is 278.6 per 100,000 residents, which is 27% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 359 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 3.9 per 100K (22% below average); aggravated assault at 191.5 per 100K (29% below average); robbery at 57.5 per 100K (22% below average).

The estimated property crime rate in Olympia is 1,762.8 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 192.6 per 100K (29% below average); larceny/theft at 1,289.3 per 100K (8% below average); vehicle theft at 280.9 per 100K (12% below average).

Olympia's overall crime rate is 26% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is larceny/theft (8% below average), while assault is 29% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Olympia has lower crime than 57% of them.

Olympia 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 Edgewater, Meridian Campus, Jubilee.

Washington as a whole has crime that is 11% above the national average. Olympia's crime rate is 26% below the national average, making it safer the typical Washington city.

Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Olympia, with an estimated rate of 1,289.3 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 8% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,763 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (279 per 100K) in Olympia, which is consistent with national trends.