The FBI Releases 2015 Crime Statistics for Washington State
Today, the FBI released its annual compilation of crimes reported to its Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program by law enforcement agencies from around the nation. Crime in theUnited States, 2015 reveals a 3.9 percent increase in the estimated number of violent crimes and a 2.6 percent decrease in the estimated number of property crimes last year when compared to 2014 data.
The UCR Program collects data on crimes reported by law enforcement agencies regarding the violent crimes of murder and non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault; as well as the property crimes of burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft, and arson. In addition to the offenses listed above, the UCR Program also collects arrest data for 20 other offenses that include all other crimes except traffic violations.
Highlights for Washington are:
- The rate of violent crime for Washington’s cities decreased from 285.8 offenses per 100,000 city inhabitants in 2014 to 284.4 in 2015. Nationally, the estimated rate of violent crime was 383.2 per 100,000 city inhabitants.
- The rate of property crime for Washington’s cities decreased from 3,698.9 offenses per 100,000 city inhabitants in 2014 to 3,463.8 in 2015. Nationally, the estimated rate of property crimes was 2,487.0 offenses per 100,000 city inhabitants.*
The breakdown for Washington cities with populations of more than 100,000 people is:
Bellevue |
2014 |
2015 |
Murder and non-negligent manslaughter |
2 |
2 |
Rape |
25 |
19 |
Robbery |
65 |
61 |
Aggravated Assault |
52 |
70 |
Burglary |
630 |
789 |
Larceny-theft |
3,662 |
3,321 |
Motor vehicle theft |
314 |
221 |
Arson | 14 | 22 |
Everett |
2014 |
2015 |
Murder and non-negligent manslaughter |
2 |
5 |
Rape |
43 |
44 |
Robbery |
135 |
148 |
Aggravated assault |
184 |
225 |
Burglary |
1,198 |
974 |
Larceny-theft |
4,660 |
4,316 |
Motor vehicle theft |
1,089 |
908 |
Arson |
18 |
33 |
Kent |
2014 |
2015 |
Murder and non-negligent manslaughter |
3 |
5 |
Rape |
65 |
61 |
Robbery |
160 |
144 |
Aggravated Assault |
132 |
128 |
Burglary |
1,019 |
905 |
Larceny-theft |
4,243 |
4,257 |
Motor vehicle theft |
981 |
1,007 |
Arson |
19 |
19 |
Renton |
2014 |
2015 |
Murder and non-negligent manslaughter |
5 |
4 |
Rape |
23 |
41 |
Robbery |
84 |
100 |
Aggravated Assault |
117 |
155 |
Burglary |
734 |
1,175 |
Larceny-theft |
3,651 |
3,715 |
Motor vehicle theft |
822 |
905 |
Arson |
11 |
6 |
Seattle |
2014 |
2015 |
Murder and non-negligent manslaughter |
26 |
23 |
Rape |
154 |
144 |
Robbery |
1,567 |
1,532 |
Aggravated assault |
2,254 |
2,394 |
Burglary |
7,099 |
7,677 |
Larceny-theft |
28,036 |
26,199 |
Motor vehicle theft |
5,514 |
3,878 |
Arson |
79 |
92 |
Spokane |
2014 |
2015 |
Murder and non-negligent manslaughter |
10 |
12 |
Rape |
117** |
119** |
Robbery |
416 |
333 |
Aggravated assault |
613 |
647 |
Burglary |
3,365 |
2,817 |
Larceny-theft |
12,455 |
11,408 |
Motor vehicle theft |
2,242 |
1,746 |
Arson |
56 |
47 |
Tacoma |
2014 |
2015 |
Murder and non-negligent manslaughter |
12 |
12 |
Rape |
134 |
147 |
Robbery |
510 |
485 |
Aggravated assault |
969 |
1,050 |
Burglary |
3,127 |
2,552 |
Larceny-theft |
7,521 |
8,492 |
Motor vehicle theft |
2,073 |
2,021 |
Arson |
67 |
70 |
Vancouver |
2014 |
2015 |
Murder and non-negligent manslaughter |
6 |
2 |
Rape |
89 |
112 |
Robbery |
151 |
137 |
Aggravated assault |
331 |
420 |
Burglary |
821 |
943 |
Larceny-theft |
3,617 |
3,740 |
Motor vehicle theft |
821 |
871 |
Arson |
47 |
69 |
*The property crime estimate does not include arson. Although the FBI classifies arson as a property crime, it does not estimate arson data nationally because of variations in the level of participation by reporting agencies.
**This city uses legacy data, which may not include all offenses in the current definition of rape. In 2013, the UCR definition of rape was changed. For a complete explanation of the change in definition please refer to the addendum in the UCR.
For specific information on other cities within Washington, please refer to the crime table.
Also available is a portion of the crime statistics by state, showing crimes in Washington by population groups.
Across the nation, more than 18,000 city, county, state, federal, college/university, and tribal law enforcement agencies voluntarily contribute data to this annual report.
The FBI simply compiles the information as it is provided from local jurisdictions. You will need to contact those local jurisdictions for any analysis of the numbers listed above. Also note that the report features a prominent message cautioning against using the statistics to rank cities or counties. Such rankings can lead to simplistic or incomplete analyses, overlooking the many variables impacting crime and its reporting.
The FBI has been producing the Uniform Crime Report since 1930.
- Full report: Crime in the US, 2015