Paterson, WA Crime Rate & Safety
Higher crime than 89% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Paterson Safe?
Not really — crime is above the national average
Neighborhood choice matters significantly. Stay aware of your surroundings, especially at night.
Paterson has a crime rate that is 56% above the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 185.
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 93
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
42% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Paterson 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
|
145 | +45% | Moderate | |
|
Assault
|
160 | +60% | Moderate | |
|
Robbery
|
68 | -32% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
166 | +66% | Moderate | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
171 | +71% | Moderate | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
10 | -90% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
148 | +48% | Moderate | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Paterson Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Paterson Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Paterson zip codes.
Paterson Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Paterson, WA?
Paterson, WA has a crime safety grade of C- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 56% 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 93 chance for property crime. Paterson has higher crime than 89% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Paterson, WA safe to live in?
Paterson has a moderate level of crime with a safety grade of C-. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Paterson is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Paterson?
The estimated violent crime rate in Paterson is 541.2 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 7.2 per 100K (45% above average); aggravated assault at 428.4 per 100K (60% above average); robbery at 49.9 per 100K (32% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Paterson?
The estimated property crime rate in Paterson is 1,070.1 per 100,000 residents, which is 42% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 93 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 461.8 per 100K (71% above average); larceny/theft at 135.4 per 100K (90% below average); vehicle theft at 472.9 per 100K (48% above average).
How does Paterson crime compare to the national average?
Paterson's overall crime rate is 56% above the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is burglary (71% above average), while larceny/theft is 90% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Paterson has higher crime than 89% of them.
Is Paterson safe to visit?
Visitors to Paterson should take standard urban precautions. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 42% 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 Paterson crime compare to the rest of Washington?
Washington as a whole has crime that is 11% above the national average. Paterson's crime rate is 56% above the national average, making it more dangerous than the typical Washington city.
What type of crime is most common in Paterson?
Vehicle theft is the most common crime in Paterson, with an estimated rate of 472.9 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 48% above the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,070 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (541 per 100K) in Paterson, which is consistent with national trends.