Yakima County, Washington, has a population of around 256,728. The county has a crime rate of 44.24 per 1,000 population, which exceeds both the national average of 23.46 and the state average of 30.26
It is crucial to know that safety conditions vary throughout Yakima County. This article seeks to identify the five neighborhoods with the greatest crime rates, taking into account the types and severity of the offenses.
We used crime data and statistics from NeighborhoodScout and CrimeGrade to identify Yakima County’s most dangerous neighborhoods.
Yakima City Center
Yakima City Center, located in downtown Yakima, is the county’s main point, serving as both the county seat and the major city. With a population of approximately 7,059 people, it covers an area of 1.6 square miles.
Notably, Yakima City Center has the highest crime rate and index among all Yakima County neighborhoods. The crime rate is 84.77 incidents per 1,000 residents, which exceeds the national average by 262% and the state average by 180%.
The neighborhood has a crime index of 97, indicating that it is more dangerous than 97% other neighborhoods in the United States.
Terrace Heights
Terrace Heights, located east of the Yakima River, is a Yakima suburb. With a population of about 6,000 people scattered across 3.6 square miles, it has the second-highest crime rate and index in Yakima County.
The area has a crime rate of 66.67 per 1,000 residents, which is 184% more than the national average and 120% higher than the state average. Terrace Heights has a crime index of 96, which means it is more dangerous than 96% of all communities in the US.
Union Gap
Union Gap, located to the south of Yakima in Yakima County, has a population of around 6,047 people and covers an area of 5.2 square miles.
Union Gap ranked third in Yakima County’s crime rate and crime index. The city’s crime rate is 64.29 incidences per 1,000 residents, up 174% from the national average and 112% from the state average.
With a crime index of 95, Union Gap is deemed more dangerous than 95% of communities in the United States.
Wapato
Located southwest of Yakima in Yakima County, has 5,102 persons and covers an area of 1.1 square miles. It has the fourth-highest crime rate and index of any neighborhood in Yakima County.
Wapato has a crime rate of 58.82 per 1,000 residents, which is 151% higher than the national average and 94% higher than the state average. Its crime rating of 94 implies that it is riskier than 94% other communities in the United States.
Toppenish
It is located southeast of Yakima in Yakima County, has a population of around 8,000 and covers 2.1 square miles. Notably, it has the fifth highest crime rate and crime index in Yakima County.
Toppenish’s crime rate of 56.25 per 1,000 residents exceeds the national and state levels by 140% and 86%, respectively. The city has a crime index of 93, making it more dangerous than 93% of communities in the United States.
Conclusion
Here, we identified the top five riskiest communities in Yakima County, Washington, using crime data and statistics from NeighborhoodScout and CrimeGrade. Our evaluation involves ranking the neighborhoods according to their overall crime grade, crime rate per 1,000 residents, and crime index.
Yakima City Center, Terrace Heights, Union Gap, Wapato, and Toppenish are the five highest-risk communities in Yakima County.
These locations experience high levels of criminal activity, notably theft, burglary, and assault. Individuals who live or visit these neighborhoods should be cautious and aware of their surroundings.