Is Seattle Safe?
Seattle is a moderately safe city outside certain neighborhoods, tourist areas, and business districts. In 2021, there were 41 murders, 1,741 robberies, and 3,819 assaults in Seattle, making it 134% more dangerous than the US average. Seattle residents have a 1 in 19 chance of becoming the victim of any type of crime. Homelessness is extremely high in Seattle, with homeless encampments being a common sight. Related to the homeless problem, crimes like theft and open drug use a quite common.
10 Safest Neighborhoods in Seattle
- Hawthorne Hills
- Broadmoor
- Blue Ridge
- Arbor Heights
- Matthews Beach
- View Ridge
- North Beach
- Wedgwood
- Laurelhurst
- Bryant
1. Hawthorne Hills
The safest neighborhood in Seattle is Hawthorne Hills. Located between Bryant Windermere, Hawthorne Hills has a population of 1,721 and a violent crime rate of 23 per 100,000. The neighborhood is known as a bedroom community for staff of the nearby University of Washington. The area offers some great views of Lake Washington and the Cascade Mountains. The neighborhood has the second-highest median household income ($111,671) in Seattle and the lowest crime rate in the city.
2. Broadmoor
Broadmoor is an exclusive gated community known as one of Seattle’s safest neighborhoods. The area has a population of 1,508 people and almost no crime. The violent crime rate is 26 crimes per 100,000, and the property crime rate is 2,059 crimes per 100,000 people. Broadmoor is known for its picturesque homes and access to hiking trails near Washington Park. In addition, Broadmoor is home to a massive 115-acre golf course which is one of the largest in Seattle.
3. Blue Ridge
Located just northwest of downtown near the Puget Sounds, Blue Ridge has a population of 1,877 and a violent crime rate of 84 incidents per 100,000 people, making it one of the safest neighborhoods in Seattle. With no central business district, Blue Ridge of a bedroom community mostly made of families. Blue Ridge is near Golden Gardens Park, which offers great hiking and outdoor activity access.
4. Arbor Heights
Arbor Heights is another one of the safest places to live in Seattle. This neighborhood is located in West Seattle and has a population of 5,176. Arbor Heights has a violent crime rate of 84 crimes per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 2,016 crimes per 100,000 people. Arbor Heights is mainly residential, lacking any type of real business district. The overall crime rate in this neighborhood is 19% lower than the Seattle average.
5. Matthews Beach
Located in Northeast Seattle, Matthews Beach has a population of 5,195 and a violent crime rate of 99 incidents per 100,000 people. Matthews Beach is located two miles from the University of Washington, with close proximity to downtown. Matthews Beach is 80% safer than the Washington state average and has a high median income with many luxury homes in the neighborhood.
6. View Ridge
View Ridge is located in northeast Seattle and has a population of 4,205. View Ridge has a violent crime rate of 150 per 100,000 people and a property crime rate of 1,880 per 100,000. View Ridge is a quiet, mostly residential community with a suburban layout. Many parts of the neighborhood offer views of Lake Washington, Mount Rainier, and the Cascade Range.
7. North Beach
Located near another one of Seattle’s safest areas, Blue Ridge, the North Beach neighborhood is also a very safe place to live. The neighborhood has a violent crime rate of 162 per 100,000 people and a population of 2,193. North Beach is often described as a quiet, small residential area with great views of Puget Sound. North Beach has access to Golden Gardens Park, leading to the marinas at Shilshole and Meadow Point beaches.
8. Wedgwood
Wedgwood is located in northeast Seattle and has a population of 10,290. The violent crime rate is 176 per 100,000, and the property crime rate is 1,866 per 100,000 people. Wedgwood is primarily a middle-class community with a sizeable commercial section. It is located only two miles from the University of Washington and six miles from downtown. Wedgwood has a shopping district along 35th Avenue NE with bars, music venues, and various other tourist attractions.
9. Laurelhurst
Another one of the safest neighborhoods in Seattle is Laurelhurst. Laurelhurst has a population of 4,159 and a violent crime rate of 180 crimes per 100,000 people. The neighborhood offers great views as it is located on the shores of Lake Washington and Union Bay. Laurelhurst has great schools, a business district, and a wide variety of quality restaurants. The community center is an official city landmark, with the Beach Club serving as a community area. Laurelhurst’s median home price is $1,649,00, which is almost double the Seattle average.
10. Bryant
Bryan is another one of the safest areas in Seattle. Located in the northeastern part of the city, Bryan has a population of 5,241 and a crime rate of 278 per 100,000. Bryant is mostly residential, with few businesses in the neighborhood. However, residents do have access to some restaurants and shops. It’s a quiet neighborhood that is great for families that value safety. In addition, Bryant is located six miles from downtown Seattle, making it ideal for those commuting downtown.
Safest Neighborhoods in Seattle Bottom Line
Although Seattle may not be the safest place to live in America, it has plenty of extremely safe neighborhoods. The areas listed in this article are the least likely to be affected by the city’s crime and drug problems. However, most of Seattle’s safest neighborhoods are very expensive, so safety comes at a price.