Kitsap County, located in western Washington, is the state’s seventh most populated county, comprising 566 square miles. Port Orchard, the county’s central hub and largest city, is an important element of the Seattle metropolitan area and a regional economic and cultural powerhouse.
Kitsap County offers a wide range of activities and services for both residents and visitors, including parks, museums, casinos, festivals, and other outdoor recreational options. Kitsap County, like any other urban region, is not exempt from crime and violence. Certain communities in the county are more vulnerable to criminal activity than others, demanding more awareness of possible hazards and dangers in these regions.
Using the most recent crime data from the FBI and other credible sources, we compiled a list of the five most dangerous neighborhoods in Kitsap County, Washington. These areas have the highest rates of violent and property crimes per capita in the county and are considered hazardous for both residents and tourists. The following list is ranked from least hazardous to most dangerous neighborhood based on documented crime rates.
1. Port Orchard
Port Orchard, located in the southern portion of Kitsap County near the Sinclair Inlet, has around 11,000 people and a typical household income of $58,000, which is somewhat more than the county average of $55,000.
This ancient city is noted for its antique stores, art galleries, and restaurants, and hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including the Fathoms O’ Fun Festival, the Cruz Classic Car Show, and the Festival of Chimes & Lights.
Despite these advantages, Port Orchard has a higher crime rate than other county communities. According to the Kitsap County Crime Map, the city recorded 3,351 crimes in 2020, for a crime rate of 293.5 per 1,000 people.
Of these events, 450 were violent crimes (39.4 per 1,000) and 2,901 were property crimes (254.1 per 1,000), resulting in a crime rate over 10 times more than the county average of 31.2 per 1,000 persons.
2. Burley
Burley, a census-designated place on Highway 16 in southwest Kitsap County, with around 2,100 inhabitants and a typical household income of $49,000, which is somewhat lower than the county average of $55,000. This rural neighborhood has farmland, forests, and lakes, but it also has a higher crime rate than other county regions.
According to the Kitsap County Crime Map, Burley recorded 150 crimes in 2020, for a crime rate of 71.4 per 1,000 people. Of these instances, 12 were violent crimes (5.7 per 1,000), and 138 were property crimes (65.7 per 1,000), which is above the county average of 31.2 per 1,000 persons.
3. Bremerton
Bremerton, located in central Kitsap County along Puget Sound, has roughly 39,000 people and a typical family income of $48,000, which is somewhat lower than the county average of $55,000. The city’s prominence stems from its status as a military center, which houses the Puget Sound military Shipyard and Naval Base Kitsap.
Bremerton also has cultural and historical attractions, such as the USS Turner Joy museum ship, the Admiral Theatre, and Harborside Fountain Park. However, it also has a higher crime rate than other areas of the county.
According to the Kitsap County Crime Map, Bremerton had 3,258 crimes in 2020, for a crime rate of 82.9 per 1,000 inhabitants. This comprised 403 violent crimes (10.3 per 1,000) and 2,855 property crimes (72.6 per 1,000), which is much above the county average of 31.2 per 1,000 persons.
4. Parkwood
Parkwood is a census-designated place in southern Kitsap County, located east of Port Orchard and south of Bremerton. Parkwood, with a population of approximately 7,600 residents and a median household income of $52,000, slightly lower than the county average of $55,000, resembles a suburban area, with single-family homes, apartments, and mobile homes, as well as commercial and industrial zones along its main thoroughfares.
Unfortunately, Parkwood has the county’s highest crime rate. According to the Kitsap County Crime Map, the region reported a whopping 3,350 crimes in 2020, for a crime rate of 440.8 per 1,000 people. These occurrences included 449 violent crimes (59.1 per 1,000) and 2,901 property crimes (381.7 per 1,000), resulting in a crime rate more than fourteen times higher than the county average of 31.2 per 1,000 people.
5. Navy Yard City
Navy Yard City, a census-designated place in central Kitsap County located south of Bremerton and west of Port Orchard, with a population of around 2,900 and a typical household income of $46,000, which is lower than the county average of $55,000. This low-income neighborhood struggles with poverty, unemployment, drug misuse, and gang activity, resulting in a higher crime rate than other county regions.
According to the Kitsap County Crime Map, Navy Yard City had 194 crimes in 2020, resulting in a crime rate of 66.9 per 1,000 people. Of these instances, 13 were violent crimes (4.5 per 1,000), and 181 were property crimes (62.4 per 1,000), which was above the county average of 31.2 per 1,000 people.
Conclusion
In summary, Kitsap County, Washington, offers a wide range of activities and services yet has varied crime rates throughout communities. Port Orchard, Burley, Bremerton, Parkwood, and Navy Yard City appear as the five most hazardous regions, with higher per capita rates of violent and property crime. Residents and tourists should exercise vigilance in these areas, and coordinated actions are required to address and decrease crime risks, resulting in a safer environment for the entire county. The complete crime data sheds light on safety concerns, suggesting a proactive approach to community well-being.