Thurston County, located in the southwest of Washington state, has the sixth-largest population in the area and covers 774 square miles. Olympia, the county seat and state capital, is the region’s cultural and economic center.
Thurston County combines urban and rural living, providing residents and visitors with a potpour of natural beauty, historic sites, cultural events, and recreational activities.
However, there are certain concerns, notably in terms of crime and safety. Several communities in the county have higher incidences of violent and property crime, prompting caution among residents and visitors alike.
We developed a list of the five most dangerous neighborhoods in Thurston County, Washington, using the most recent crime statistics available from sources such as the FBI. These areas are notable for their high rates of violent and property crimes per population, making them less safe for both inhabitants and visitors. The neighborhoods are graded from least to most hazardous based on crime rates.
1. Grand Mound
Grand Mound, a census-designated place (CDP) in southern Thurston County, is located along Interstate. Grand Mound has around 2,700 inhabitants with a typical household income of $54,000, which is somewhat lower than the county average of $55,000. Despite being recognized for attractions like as the Great Wolf Lodge resort, the Lucky Eagle Casino, and the Chehalis Tribal Center, Grand Mound has a higher crime rate than other regions in the county.
According to the Thurston County Crime Map, Grand Mound recorded 162 crimes in 2020, for a crime rate of 60 occurrences per 1,000 people. These crimes included 12 violent offenses (4.4 per 1,000 people) and 150 property crimes (55.6 per 1,000). Notably, Grand Mound has a higher crime rate than the county average of 31.2 offenses per 1,000 people.
2. Olympia
Olympia, the county seat and largest city in Thurston County, also serves as the state’s capitol. Olympia, with a population of over 51,000 people and a typical household income of $58,000 (somewhat more than the county average), has a dynamic environment full of cultural and recreational opportunities, including as museums, theaters, festivals, parks, and trails.
Unfortunately, Olympia has the highest crime rate in the county. According to the Thurston County Crime Map, Olympia recorded a stunning 3,479 crimes in 2020, for a crime rate of 68.2 incidences per 1,000 people. 243 of them were violent crimes (4.8 per 1,000), whereas 3,236 were property offenses (63.4 per 1000). Olympia’s crime rate is more than double the county’s average of 31.2 offenses per 1,000 inhabitants.
3. Yelm
Yelm is a city in southern Thurston County on Highway 507, with around 7,000 people and a typical family income of $53,000, which is somewhat lower than the county average. Yelm is a rapidly growing city with new projects, companies, schools, and parks.
However, it has a higher crime rate than the rest of the county. In 2020, Yelm recorded 487 crimes, for a crime rate of 69.6 incidences per 1,000 people. Of them, 40 were violent crimes (5.7 per 1,000), whereas 447 were property crimes (63.9 per 1,000). Yelm’s crime rate is more than double the county average of 31.2 offenses per 1,000 inhabitants.
4. Tanglewilde
Tanglewilde, a CDP in northeast Thurston County that borders Lacey to the south and east, with around 6,000 people and a typical household income of $51,000, which is somewhat lower than the county average. This suburban neighborhood has single-family houses, apartments, mobile homes, and some business districts along its main thoroughfares.
Tanglewilde, however, has a higher crime rate than other regions of the county. According to the Thurston County Crime Map, Tanglewilde had 413 crimes in 2020, for a crime rate of 68.8 incidences per 1,000 people. 36 of them were violent crimes (6 per 1,000), while 377 were property crimes (62.8 per 1,000). Tanglewilde’s crime rate is more than double the county average of 31.2 offenses per 1,000 inhabitants.
5. Rochester
Rochester, located in the southern portion of Thurston County along Highway 12, has around 2,400 inhabitants and a typical family income of $47,000, which is much lower than the county average. Poverty, unemployment, drug misuse, and gang activity are among the issues that this low-income community faces.
Rochester also has a significantly high crime rate when compared to the rest of the county. In 2020, Rochester recorded 156 crimes, for a crime rate of 65 occurrences per 1,000 people. There were 13 violent crimes (5.4 per 1,000), and 143 property crimes (59.6 per 1,000). Rochester’s crime rate is more than double the county average, with 31.2 occurrences per 1,000 population.