Yelm, WA Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 71% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Yelm Safe?
Yes — Yelm has good safety overall
A city with below-average crime rates, though some neighborhoods may differ.
Yelm has a crime rate that is 37% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 460.
100% of Yelm neighborhoods are rated A or B for safety, while 0% have high crime rates.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 460
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
43% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 82
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
33% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Yelm 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
|
70 | -30% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
53 | -47% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
68 | -32% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
67 | -33% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
68 | -32% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
59 | -41% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
69 | -31% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Yelm Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Where Is It Safe in Yelm?
Safety varies dramatically across Yelm's 2+ neighborhoods.
Safest Neighborhoods
Top 2Neighborhood Safety Distribution
Out of 2 neighborhoods in Yelm
All Yelm Neighborhoods
| # | Neighborhood | Grade | Crime Index |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Clearwood | A | 121 |
| 2 | Tahoma Terra | A- | 172 |
Yelm Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Yelm zip codes.
Yelm Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Yelm, WA?
Yelm, WA has a crime safety grade of B as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 37% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 460 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 82 chance for property crime. Yelm has lower crime than 71% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Yelm, WA safe to live in?
Yelm is generally considered a safe place to live, earning a crime grade of B. Approximately 100% of the city's 2 neighborhoods are rated A or B for safety. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Yelm is strongly recommended.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Yelm?
Based on 2026 crime data, the safest neighborhoods in Yelm are Clearwood, and Tahoma Terra. These areas have significantly lower crime rates than the city average and are popular choices for families, professionals, and anyone prioritizing safety.
What is the violent crime rate in Yelm?
The estimated violent crime rate in Yelm is 217.3 per 100,000 residents, which is 43% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 460 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 3.5 per 100K (30% below average); aggravated assault at 141.0 per 100K (47% below average); robbery at 50.2 per 100K (32% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Yelm?
The estimated property crime rate in Yelm is 1,226.3 per 100,000 residents, which is 33% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 82 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 183.1 per 100K (32% below average); larceny/theft at 822.9 per 100K (41% below average); vehicle theft at 220.3 per 100K (31% below average).
How does Yelm crime compare to the national average?
Yelm's overall crime rate is 37% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is murder (30% below average), while assault is 47% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Yelm has lower crime than 71% of them.
Is Yelm safe to visit?
Yelm is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 33% 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 Clearwood, Tahoma Terra.
How does Yelm crime compare to the rest of Washington?
Washington as a whole has crime that is 11% above the national average. Yelm's crime rate is 37% below the national average, making it safer the typical Washington city.
What type of crime is most common in Yelm?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Yelm, with an estimated rate of 822.9 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 41% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,226 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (217 per 100K) in Yelm, which is consistent with national trends.