Is Spokane Safe? (2022 Crime Rates And Crime Stats)

If you are thinking about visiting Spokane and have some qualms about the safety of the city, we got you covered.

We are going to deep dive into the statistics, look at some maps, graphs and talk to the residents of the city to give you a better understanding of how safe Spokane really is.

Is Spokane Safe?

Statistically speaking, Spokane is a moderately safe city that you should take some precaution while visiting. In 2021 Spokane had a violent crime rate of 634.74 per 100,000 people. Spokane’s crime rate is 59% greater than the national average and has the 3rd highest crime rate of major cities in Washington.

While Spokane’s violent crime rate is not alarming, its property crime rate of 4,664.93 per 100,000 people is more than double the national average.

The city of Spokane is above the national average in violent crime, property crime and below the national average in homicides.

Here’s a graph showing you how Spokane’s crime rate compares to other major U.S. cities.

Here’s a graph showing you how Spokane’s crime rate compares to other major cities in Washington.

Here’s a graph showing you how Spokane’s crime rate compares to the most dangerous cities in the United States.

Spokane Crime Rates

Violent Crime Rate

In 2021 Spokane reported 1,454 violent crimes and had a violent crime rate of 634.74 per 100,000 people.

Year over year violent crime has increased by 8%.
You have a 1 in 158 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime in Spokane.

Here’s a graph showing you how violent crime has trended in Spokane over a 12 year period.

Murder Rate

In 2021, Spokane reported 14 murders and had a murder rate of 6.11 per 100,000 people. Spokane’s murder rate is 6% less than the national average.

Year over year murder has decreased by 26%.
You have a 1 in 16,362 chance of becoming a victim of murder in Spokane.

Here’s a graph showing you how murders has trended in Spokane over a 12 year period.

Property Crime Rate

In 2021 Spokane reported 10,686 property crimes and had a property crime rate of 4,664.93 per 100,000 people. Spokane’s property crime rate more than double the national average.

Year over year property crime in Spokane has decreased by 7%.
You have a 1 in 21 chance of becoming a victim of property crime in Spokane.

Here’s a graph showing you how property crime has trended in Spokane over a 12 year period.

Spokane Crime Stats

Here’s a breakdown of all the crimes in the city for 2020 and 2021:

	2020	2021	Percentage Change
Homicide	19	14	-26%
Rape	187	212	13%
Robbery	280	261	-7%
Aggravated Assault	855	967	13%
VIOLENT CRIME TOTAL	1,341	1,454	8%
Burglary	1,745	1,540	-12%
Larceny	8,666	7,974	-8%
Motor Vehicle Theft	1,103	1,172	6%
PROPERTY CRIME TOTAL	11,514	10,686	-7%
TOTAL CRIME	12,855	12,140	-6%

What do Residents of Spokane say about its safety?

Spokane has a big issues with theft and property crime. It safe to assume that your car window will be smashed in at some point.
Avoid the Hillyard area and if you are parking in downtown, park in a secured parking lot. Else your car will be broken into.
The north side and east central areas are sketchy.
Violent crime is not a huge issues and usually involves gangs or drugs. There is a huge theft problem though. Lock up all your stuff!
Property crime? People will steal the fillings out of your teeth if you stand around downtown with your mouth open for too long.
Spokane has a crime problem. While you won’t get murdered or mugged, expect to have your car broke into at some point.
Spokane used to feel clean but there has been a huge influx of homeless people and transients who trash the city and make it feel dirty.

Is Spokane safe at night?

Spokane is generally safe at night as long as you avoid walking through the bad areas of town and keep situational awareness at all times.

At night we recommend that you take a few extra precautions by staying in well populated places, not straying off the beaten path and not walking by yourself.

Is it safe to visit alone?

Spokane can be a safe place to visit alone as long as you learn the layout of the city, stay out of the bad areas and maintain awareness at all time.

Spokane Safety Tips

Stay on well-lit and well populated areas. Avoid going through alleys. It’s better to take a longer way around if it’s well lit and more people are walking it.
Do your research before you visit. Familiarize yourself with the good and bad neighborhood. Plan your trip accordingly.
Avoid walking by yourself at night. Stay in well lit and populated areas and don’t walk through alleys.
Always keep situational awareness. When walking through town, don’t bury yourself in your phone or your headphones.
Don’t leave anything in your car. Anything. A thief will even break into your car to steal some pocket change.
Don’t walk around with anything expensive. Leave the expensive watch, jewelry and purses at home.
Consider purchasing a club for your steering wheel.

Sources

United States Census. “Quick Facts.” Accessed November 7, 2022
Federal Bureau of Investigation. “Crime Data Explorer.”Accessed November 7, 2022
Axios."Des Moines police chief shares top priority for 2022." Accessed November 7, 2022
Spokane County. "Regional Crime Map."Accessed November 7, 2022