Oregon's 12 Safest Cities Announced with Baker City Named Safest

These 12 cities had fewest reports of violent crime and property crime of all cities in Oregon.

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(SALEM, Ore.) - Oregon is an exciting state to call home. With vast mountains, a breathtaking coastline, impressive geographic features, diverse industry and an extensive history, there is much about the Beaver State that appeals to those who are considering a place to live on the West Coast.

However, not every part of our fair state is as idyllic as others. For those looking for a town to call "home", safety is a top priority.

Safe Choice Security has compiled a list of the 12 safest cities in Oregon. They carefully analyzed the data from the 2012 FBI Crime Statistics report to find the communities that stood out from the rest because of their low crime rates. All of them had fewer reports of violent crime and property crime than other cities in Oregon.

1. Baker City, OR

A small city located on the east side of the state. The county seat of Baker County, it is located in a valley with Powder River cutting through the middle of town. The historic town has a variety of sites to visit, events to enjoy and an array of outdoor amenities for those who like the outdoors. With a disaster preparedness plan, a Citizen on Patrol program and a dedicated police force, Baker City is the safest place to live in Oregon.

Population: 9,807
Violent Crimes per 1000: 0.1
Property Crimes per 1000: 6.22
Crime Index: 90
Safer than 90% of US cities

2. West Linn, OR

West Linn, OR is a medium sized city located in the northwest portion of the state. Considered a suburb of Portland, it is just south of the city, and has the motto “City of Hills, Trees and Rivers.” The city is made up of several smaller municipalities that merged. One of its major features is the 26-acre conservancy preserve in town. The town offers nature trails, parks and waterways for the pleasure of its residents.

Special events for residents of all ages are an enticement to those looking for a great community to move to. It has made Money Magazine’s list of the Best Places to Live on multiple occasions. A detailed emergency operations plan, multiple crime prevention programs and a vigilant police force help to make West Linn one of the safest locales in the state.

Population: 25,572
Violent Crimes per 1000: 0.2
Property Crimes per 1000: 9.74
Crime Index: 77
Safer than 77% of US cities

3. Sherwood, OR

Sherwood, OR is another medium sized city in the northwest part of Oregon. Located southwest of Portland, it is growing quickly. With almost 50% of the households in the city having children in them, Sherwood is an appealing city for those raising a family. Located in the valley, with a wildlife refuge in its midst, the city still has available land for development.

New businesses are encouraged and the town is poised to enter the world of wine tourism. The Sherwood Police Department works hand in hand with the citizens of the area to keep the city safe for all those who choose to call this charming family town their home.

Population: 18,699
Violent Crimes per 1000: 0.59
Property Crimes per 1000: 13.05
Crime Index: 63
Safer than 63% of US cities

4. Silverton, OR

Silverton, OR is a small city just north of Salem, the state capital, located in the northwest part of the state. It is a breathtaking municipality on the edge of the valley, bordered by impressive hills. The town itself is built around the geography of the area.

The biggest attractions in Silverton include Silver Falls State Park which is the largest park in the state, a botanical park, the historic district and the Frank Lloyd Wright home called Gordon House. Residents enjoy the marine park, parks, community amenities and special events. The police department is very involved in the community and is a leading force in helping to ensure the city remains amongst the top 5 safest Oregon cities.

Population: 9,394
Violent Crimes per 1000: 0.96
Property Crimes per 1000: 15.22
Crime Index: 66
Safer than 66% of US cities

5. Newberg, OR

Newberg, OR is another mid-sized city in northwest Oregon that is just outside of Portland. It offers impressive educational opportunities including George Fox University, a community college campus, private schools and solid public schools. With diverse industry, Newberg also has a variety of career options and is an appealing city to call home.

With an array of its own amenities, it is also located within an easy distance of Portland, offering residents a small town standard of living with the convenience of the city nearby. Forests, farmland, mountains and a river to call its own make Newberg a beautiful small town that offers much to residents. The town’s professional police force with its many programs is the driving force in keeping the city’s crime rate rock-bottom low.

Population: 22,068
Violent Crimes per 1000: 1.09
Property Crimes per 1000: 16.22
Crime Index: 52
Safer than 52% of US cities

6. Umatilla, OR

Umatilla, OR is one of the smallest cities on our listing and is situated in the northeast part of the state. On the Umatilla River, it is a charming city with an impressive bridge spanning the river. More than 50% of households in the city have children, making this a family city much more so than most other municipalities in the country. With boating, fishing, parks and other outdoor amenities, Umatilla is an enticing city to choose for your next home. Its very low crime rates are due to the vigilance of the town’s police force.

Population: 7,014
Violent Crimes per 1000: 1.28
Property Crimes per 1000: 16.11
Crime Index: 51
Safer than 51% of US cities

7. Beaverton, OR

Beaverton, OR is the largest city on our listing with almost 100,000 people. Just west of Portland, the city is the second largest in Washington County and one of the largest in the state. It has been named one of the Best Places to Live by Money Magazine in its analysis of smaller cities. With a variety of different industries, Beaverton brings many career opportunities to those in town.

Special events, culture and history mixed with rich outdoor amenities help to make this city one that is constantly attracting new residents. With a crime rate that is incredibly low for a city of this size, Beaverton is idyllic for citizens of all ages.

Population: 92,276
Violent Crimes per 1000: 1.53
Property Crimes per 1000: 15.94
Crime Index: 51
Safer than 51% of US cities

8. Lake Oswego, OR

Lake Oswego, OR is a mid-sized city suburb of Portland. Home to affluent residents who pay heavily for a lakefront view of the private lake that gives the city its name, Lake Oswego has many amenities that appeal to the wealthy.

A country club, equestrian center, tennis courts, golf course, numerous parks and more ensure that residents are never bored. Art, history and special local events are also part of the charm of Lake Oswego. The city’s low crime rate, held in check by the local police department, is another attractive aspect of life in this town.

Population: 37,309
Violent Crimes per 1000: 0.94
Property Crimes per 1000: 17.48
Crime Index: 49
Safer than 49% of US cities

9. Canby, OR

Canby, OR is south of Portland on the northwest side of the state. Nicknamed “Oregon’s Garden Spot” it is bordered on 3 sides by rivers and is located in the Willamette Valley. Because the city is within a reasonable drive to the city, it gives residents the convenience of proximity to the city while being able to embrace a much smaller town life.

The town is actively offering incentives to businesses to attract them to the area. The Neighborhood Association and the efforts of the town police have delivered the desired results – crime rates low enough to qualify for the top 10 safest cities in the state.

Population: 16,121
Violent Crimes per 1000: 1.06
Property Crimes per 1000: 17.62
Crime Index: 48
Safer than 48% of US cities

10. Monmouth, OR

Monmouth, MO is a small city on the western side of the state and is located near the state capital Salem. Its parks and other outdoor amenities help to increase the charm of the municipality, as does its special events.

Being close to the city helps Monmouth to attract those looking to get out of the city, but enjoy the conveniences of being near it. The city’s police department does its very best in keeping the crime rate low.

Population: 9,667
Violent Crimes per 1000: 0.62
Property Crimes per 1000: 18.62
Crime Index: 46
Safer than 46% of US cities

11. Scappoose, OR

Scappoose, OR is northwest of Portland, in the northern part of the state near Washington state. One of the smallest safe cities to make the cut, Scappoose is named for a stream located near it. Picturesque and charming, it is regarded as the bedroom community of Portland and does not have the variety of industry it once had.

The Scappoose Police Department works hard to ensure the safety and protection of citizens there and to help entice new residents to the area. With parks and other natural amenities to appeal to residents, proximity to the city is a big advantage too.

Population: 6,646
Violent Crimes per 1000: 4.51
Property Crimes per 1000: 17
Crime Index: 41
Safer than 41% of US cities

12. Junction City, OR

Junction City, OR is the smallest city on our list of safe cities and is located on the mid west side of the state. Farming is hugely important to this tiny town. Several annual events draw visitors and entertain residents, as do its parks and other attractions. The small police force is successful in its goals of keeping Junction City one of the safest places in the state.

Population: 5,456
Violent Crimes per 1000: 0.18
Property Crimes per 1000: 23.09
Crime Index: 37
Safer than 37% of US cities

If your city was named one of the safest cities in OR, feel free to proudly display your badge on your website! Get the code here.

Source: Safe Choice Security