Crime Statistics, Local Perspective, and What It’s Really Like to Live Here
One of the most common questions people ask when considering a move here is: Is Bellingham, WA safe?
Like most cities, the answer depends on how you look at it. Crime statistics tell one story. Lived experience often tells another. This post covers both.
Crime Statistics in Bellingham, WA
There are several reputable places to look up crime data for Bellingham, WA. One of the most useful is the Bellingham Police Department’s crime map, which allows you to view reported crimes by neighborhood:
👉 https://cob.org/services/safety/police/crime-map
Looking at this data, it’s clear that Bellingham does experience crime. Much of it is property crime, though violent crime does occur as well.
Another commonly referenced source is AreaVibes, which aggregates crime data into an overall grade. On that site, Bellingham receives a C- grade for Crime & Safety:
👉 https://www.areavibes.com/bellingham-wa/crime/
I’ll be honest — I find this rating surprising. Shocking, even. Because it doesn’t match my personal experience living here.
My Personal Experience Living in Bellingham
I’ve lived in Whatcom County for nearly eight years, and in Bellingham itself for four. I spent my first four years in Sudden Valley, just outside the city limits, before moving into town.
I relocated here at age 47, single, and starting over. I’m a real estate agent, which means when you move, you don’t bring your business with you — you rebuild from scratch.
One of the ways I learned Bellingham was by walking it.
In 2018, I was not in great shape. Over the next few years, I got into great shape by walking a lot. Mostly alone. Sometimes with my dog Daisy, but not always.
I walked:
- Neighborhoods
- Parks
- Trails
- Downtown Bellingham
- Fairhaven
Every walk felt like a new discovery.
To this day, I still walk several times a week. And as a woman walking alone, I have never felt unsafe on Bellingham’s trails, in its neighborhoods, downtown, or in Fairhaven.
When Crime Statistics and Reality Don’t Line Up
My lived experience doesn’t perfectly align with the crime data — but that doesn’t mean the data is wrong.
I run a local community Facebook group, Bellingham Living, and I do occasionally hear about serious incidents. Crime does happen here.
A particularly sobering example: a friend of mine shared that their child’s friend was assaulted — possibly racially motivated — while their 7th grade class was on a walking field trip in downtown Bellingham.
So yes, crime exists. And it’s important not to minimize that.
At the same time, fear-based narratives don’t reflect my day-to-day reality of living here.
What Living in the PNW Taught Me About Safety
Before moving to Bellingham, I lived:
- In Hawaii through high school
- In the Phoenix, Arizona area for 30 years
I knew nothing about real seasons, perennials, banana slugs, or dressing in layers. I learned all of that here — along with the charm of early-1900s homes and how neighborhoods truly feel when you experience them on foot.
If I had consistently felt unsafe — constantly on edge, watching people, or second-guessing situations — I wouldn’t have enjoyed this phase of my life nearly as much.
I truly cannot think of a single time when I felt I was in a genuinely sketchy situation.
Have I stayed out longer than planned and had it get dark on me? Yes. I now bring a headlamp if that’s a possibility. I’m mindful that mountain lions are more active at dusk, so I avoid forested trails after dark.
But fear of other people has simply not been part of my Bellingham experience.
How to Stay Safe in Bellingham, WA
No city is perfectly safe. But there are practical ways to reduce risk and enjoy everything Bellingham has to offer.
Tips for staying safe:
- Walk or explore with others when possible — a friend, partner, neighbor, or hiking buddy
- Bring a dog if you have one (any size helps)
- Share your route or location if you’re heading out alone
- Stick to busier streets and trails when possible
- Carry your phone, a whistle, or pepper spray if it makes you feel more secure
- Keep music or audiobooks at a low volume so you stay aware
- Walk confidently (a solid RBF doesn’t hurt — trust me)
- Trust your gut — if something feels off, listen
Perspective Matters
While researching this post, I came across an idea that really resonated with me:
People who move to Bellingham from larger metropolitan areas often feel it’s very safe. Those who have lived here for decades sometimes feel crime has increased significantly.
Both perspectives can be true.
Bellingham has grown — and growth brings challenges.
Homelessness and Safety in Bellingham
Homelessness is visible in Bellingham, and it’s something many people ask about when discussing safety.
Over the years, I’ve volunteered by bringing clothes, shoes, food, and supplies to people living outside — sometimes with others, sometimes alone.
What I learned surprised me. While substance abuse exists, mental health struggles are often the biggest issue. It’s heartbreaking.
Even so, I was never afraid during those interactions.
That said, crime against unhoused people is a serious and often overlooked issue. If I were homeless myself, I would feel far less safe.
So, Is Bellingham Safe?
Statistically, Bellingham has real challenges — especially with property crime.
Experientially, for me, it has felt safe, walkable, and deeply livable.
Both realities exist at the same time.
And understanding that nuance matters far more than a single crime grade on a website.
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