Located in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States, Oregon’s western border is the Pacific coastline and both the Columbia River and Washington State are to the North. Home to just over 4 million residents, the state is the 27th most populous, with Salem being its capital and Portland its largest city. Oregon has a diverse landscape, from the Pacific coastline to the volcano-lined Cascade Range. The state is known for its lush forests and also its growing industry, with headquarters of such companies as Nike, Lithia Motors, and Columbia Sportswear located here. If you’d to make the Beaver State your next home, here are the 25 safest cities in Oregon to help you make the right choice.
Related: Check out our Oregon Public Records guide.
Our list was compiled based on FBI violent crime stats and proprietary backgroundchecks.org research data. Rates are normalized per 100,000 residents with the state average being 232 for violent crime and 2,879 for property crime. This is calculated by taking (# of crimes/population) * 100,000.
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#1 West Linn
Located in Clackamas County, the city of West Linn is home to 25,100 residents. Considered a southern suburb of Portland, the community sits between the Willamette and Tualatin rivers as was included on CNN Money’s list of best places to live. West Linn is the safest place to live in Oregon, with a violent crime rate of 19.6 and the chance of being involved in a property crime here less than 1%.
#2 Sherwood
A city in Washington County, Sherwood is home to 18,900 residents. Part of the Tualatin Valley southwest of Portland, the community encompasses 4.3 square miles and sits adjacent to the Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge. Another safe place to call home, the violent crime rate here is 58.8, and residents of Sherwood have a 1.3% chance of being affected by property crime.
#3 Albany
Located in Linn County, the city of Albany has a current population of 51,500 residents. Also the county seat, this community in the Willamette Valley lies at the confluence of the Willamette and Calapooia rivers and is home to over 30 parks. Another safe choice, the violent crime rate in Albany is 86.1, and the chance of being involved in a property crime here is 3%.
#4 Newberg
A city in Yamhill County, Newberg is home to 22,100 residents. Considered a suburb of Portland, the community was incorporated in 1889 and is the site of George Fox University, a private liberal arts Christian university with 3,900 students. The violent crime rate here is 89.8, and residents of Newberg have a 1.6% chance of being affected by property crime.
#5 St. Helens
Located in Columbia County, the city of St. Helens is home to 12,800 residents. Also the county seat, the community is 39 miles from Mount St. Helens, sits on the banks of the Columbia River, and was a major filming location for the movie “Twilight.” The violent crime rate in St. Helens is 92.3, and the chance of being involved in a property crime here is just 2.9%.
#6 Lake Oswego
A city primarily in Clackamas County, Lake Oswego is home to 36,600 residents. Located just south of Portland, this affluent community was founded in 1847, sits adjacent to the 405-acre Lake Oswego, and maintains over 500 acres of parks. The violent crime rate here is 93.8, and residents of Lake Oswego have a 1.7% chance of being affected by property crime.
#7 Canby
Also located in Clackamas County, the city of Canby is home to 15,800 residents. Situated in an area known as Baker Prairie, the community lies between the Molalla and Willamette rivers and is the site of the county fairgrounds as well as the largest dahlia grower in the country. The violent crime rate in Canby is 105.5, and the chance of being involved in a property crime here is just 1.7%.
#8 Tualatin
A city primarily in Washington County, Tualatin is home to 26,000 residents. Considered a suburb of Portland, the community lies to the south of the Tualatin River and is the site of several factories as well as an upscale shopping area called Bridgeport Village. The violent crime rate here is 108.4, and residents of Tualatin have a 3.3% chance of being affected by property crime.
#9 Milwaukie
Located in Clackamas County, the city of Milwaukie is home to 20,200 residents. Considered a suburb of Portland, the community lies adjacent to the Willamette River and is known as the home of Darkhorse Comics as well as being the birthplace of the Bing cherry. The violent crime rate in Milwaukie is 121, and the chance of being involved in a property crime here is 2.5%.
#10 Corvallis
A city in Benton County, Corvallis has a current population of 54,400 residents. Also the county seat, the community is 30 miles south of Salem and is home to Oregon State University as well as a large regional medical center. The violent crime here is 121.7, and residents of Corvallis have a 2.5% chance of being affected by property crime.
#11 Tigard
Located in Washington County, the city of Tigard is home to 48,000 residents. The community is divided into 13 distinct neighborhoods, is the site of one of the state’s largest malls, and is the headquarters for several companies such as Consumer Cellular and Gerber Legendary Blades. The violent crime rate in Tigard is 135.7, and the chance of being involved in a property crime here is 3.4%.
#12 Hermiston
A city in Umatilla County, Hermiston is home to 16,700 residents. Considered the largest city in Eastern Oregon, the community lies 7 miles south of the Columbia River and Lake Wallula and is known for its watermelon production. The violent crime rate here is 140.7, and residents of Hermiston have a 3.2% chance of being affected by property crime.
#13 Oregon City
Located in Clackamas County, Oregon City is home to 31,800 residents. Also the county seat, the community was the first U.S. city west of the Rocky Mountains to be incorporated. The area has a long history in the forestry industry but is now home to several high-tech and manufacturing companies. The violent crime rate in Oregon City is 141.8, and the chance of being involved in a property crime here is just 2.7%.
#14 Central Point
A city in Jackson County, Central Point is home to 17,100 residents. Located just north of Medford, the community was incorporated in 1889 and is the headquarters of such businesses as the Talk Radio Network and Erickson Air Crane. The violent crime rate here is 149.2, and residents of Central Point have a 3.4% chance of being affected by property crime.
#15 Beaverton
Located in Washington County, the city of Beaverton has a current population of 89,800 residents. Just 7 miles west of downtown Portland, the community was included on Money’s list of best places to live and is home to numerous corporate headquarters such as Nike, Reser’s Fine Foods, and Leupold & Stevens. The violent crime rate in Beaverton is 152.8, and the chance of being involved in a property crime here is just 1.5%.
#16 La Grande
A city in Union County, La Grande is home to 13,000 residents. Also the county seat, the community lies to the east of the Blue Mountains, encompasses 4.6 square miles, and is the site of Eastern Oregon University, part of the state university system. The violent crime rate here is 166.7, and residents of La Grande have a 3.8% chance of being affected by property crime.
#17 The Dalles
Located in Wasco County, The Dalles is a city that is home to 13,600 residents. Also the county seat, the community lies on the banks of the Columbia River, is the site of the popular annual Northwest Cherry Festival and is home to a Google data center. The violent crime rate in The Dalles is 167.5, and the chance of being involved in a property crime here is 4.9%.
#18 Ashland
A city in Jackson County, Ashland is home to 20,700 residents. Located just north of the California border, the community is a popular tourist destination as is home to Southern Oregon University as well as the famous annual Oregon Shakespeare Festival. The violent crime rate here is 171.8, and residents of Ashland have a 3% chance of being affected by property crime.
#19 Springfield
Located in Lane County, the city of Springfield is home to 59,400 residents. A part of the Willamette Valley, the community encompasses 15.7 square miles, and its major employers include its two large hospitals, the Springfield School District, and Symantec. The violent crime rate in Springfield is 173, and the chance of being involved in a property crime here is 5%.
#20 Keizer
A city in Marion County, Keizer is home to 36,400 residents. Considered a suburb of Salem, the community has a minor league baseball team and is known for its iris-growing industry, also sponsoring a popular annual Iris Festival each May. The violent crime rate here is 174.9, and residents of Keizer have a 2.2% chance of being affected by property crime.
#21 Troutdale
Located in Multnomah County, the city of Troutdale is home to 15,900 residents. Just 12 miles east of Portland, the community sits at the confluence of the Columbia and Sandy rivers and is known as the gateway to the Columbia River Gorge and the Mount Hood Scenic Byway. The violent crime rate in Troutdale is 183.4, and the chance of being involved in a property crime here is 3.4%.
#22 Hillsboro
A city in Washington County, Hillsboro has a current population of 91,600 residents. Considered a western suburb of Portland, the community is a part of what is known as the Silicon Forest, which an area that hosts many high-tech companies such as Intel, Yahoo!, and Salesforce. The violent crime rate here is 191.2, and residents of Hillsboro have a 2.2% chance of being affected by property crime.
#23 McMinnville
Located in Yamhill County, the city of McMinnville is home to 32,100 residents. Also the county seat, the community is 35 miles southwest of Portland, lies at the confluence of the Willamette and Yamhill Rivers, and is home to Linfield College and the popular Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum. The violent crime rate in McMinnville is 195.8, and the chance of being involved in a property crime here is 2.8%.
#24 Dallas
A city in Polk County, Dallas is home to 14,500 residents. Also the county seat, the community is just 15 miles west of Salem, encompasses 4.8 square miles, and lies adjacent to Rickreall Creek. The violent crime rate here is 195.9, and residents of Dallas have a 2.5% chance of being affected by property crime.
#25 Grants Pass
Located in Josephine County, the city of Grants Pass is home to 34,500 residents. Also the county seat, the community sits northwest of Medford, is known for its rafting on the Rogue River as well as for its proximity to the Oregon Caves National Monument. The violent crime rate in Grants Pass is 214.9, and the chance of being involved in a property crime here is 5%.
