Choosing a place to build a family, people will probably consider security as one of the most significant aspects. Several cities in Washington State are very safe as reflected by crime rates and other factors. Below are some of the safest cities in the Evergreen State for families who seek the best environment to raise their kids in.
Sammamish
Sammamish is a small city that is situated on the east of Seattle, on the shores of Lake Sammamish; thus, there is very little crime. Indeed, in terms of the violent crime rate, Sammamish ranked only third last among all the cities in Washington with the data compiled in 2018. There are also low rates of property crimes across the entire state. It is safe, well-equipped with schools, filled with parks and recreation opportunities, and close to high-tech employment over the last few decades, Sammamish has become increasingly family-friendly. New housing constructions have expanded to meet this demand.
Maple Valley
Located approximately 30 minutes southeast of Seattle, Maple Valley also has the advantages of a semi-rural setting with a reasonable amount of forested areas as well as open areas while offering easy access to the metropolitan infrastructure. Maple Valley has become one of the most desirable neighborhoods in the past few years as more and more families are moving in to enjoy its safe community and good schools. Murder rates and other crimes involving physical harm, as well as theft and other property offenses, are significantly below the national levels. New one-story houses with spacious backyards for children to play in safely line the streets for buyers interested in such a lifestyle. The community area is endowed with several parks and trails where both children and adults can exercise. Maple Valley benefits from being located between the suburban and rural areas while also providing recreational and other facilities.
Camas
Opposite the Columbia River from Portland Oregon, Camas has grown into a popular Sleep City. Camas is also well-off due to good schools that are highly rated, cheap housing, and near-zero crime all contribute to raising children. For violent crime, the incidence is slightly less than one-fourth of that recorded for the country while for property and other related crimes, the incidence is slightly less than half of the national rate. Camas has numerous assets in terms of an appealing environment, including a small-town environment, scenic locations, parks, paths, and recreational opportunities. That is why, even though options of a big city are available within half an hour's drive distance, families do not feel the need to live in the city center. Considering such perfect conditions and opportunities, Camas is always on the list of the most favorite family-oriented places in Washington.
Pullman
Even though it is an eastern Washington city, Pullman has many advantages and one of them is safety. While Pullman is indeed the location of Washington State University, it does boast a substantial number of people within the college age bracket. But, it still has some of the lowest crime rates and the highest quality of life index to date. According to the research conducted by Neighborhood Scout in 2022, Pullman has been ranked the second safest city in Washington. Regarding the divorce rate, it is one of the lowest in the developed world largely due to the low violent and property crimes. New built-up areas have seen youthful families move to these areas in the process of seeking the right environment to start their own families. We get that Pullman has a small-town atmosphere, but it has the youthful appeal, great schools, and many parks and recreation areas which include nature reserves.
Poulsbo
Located about 35 miles north of Seattle across the beautiful Puget Sound bridge, lies the picturesque town called Poulsbo. This is a small city on a waterfront and it has a lively shopping district with stores and cafes along the downtown of Liberty Bay. The suburban area that is just a few blocks away from the downtown area inhabited by beautiful houses and small parks contributes to the stunning small-town atmosphere. nicknamed ‘Little Norway’ due to the many descendants of Scandinavians currently living there, Poulsbo has gone to great lengths not to let Crime rise despite the increasing population attracted to the beauty of the town. The violent crime rate is lower than that in the country, and it has dropped below 50 percent. But property crime also continues to be fairly low as well. New families have relocated here to Poulsbo for the schools, security, and the surrounding areas of natural scenery. Population growth and urbanization remain on the increase hence increasing the demand for housing. Poulsbo is an excellent example, showing that small cities want to be beautiful, safe for families from crime, and with a high quality of life.
Mercer Island
Mercer Island is a suburban city located in Lake Washington right opposite Seattle, and this city boasts of the lowest crime rate making it among the safest cities in the state. A predominantly white, well-educated group of people lives in Mercer Island; most of the residents work in professional occupations, and families with children attend excellent schools and have easy access to Seattle. Crime, especially violent crime, remains at very low levels, in this close-knit island society. And property crime stood among the lowest in the state and even some of the most impressive in the country. For leisure, patrons can access over 90 parks together with long strolling and biking pathways as well as countless youth amenities within the secure setting that is Mercer Island. The education standards in Mercer Island, the stunning and appealing environment, the thriving economic status, and the security with low rates of criminal activities make this region a perfect spot for families.
The following are the key factors in the formulation of safe cities;
These cities can be perceived as possessing qualities that many families tend to consider when choosing the area they want to build a long-term future. Important safety attributes that are likely to receive high scores on the ranking of the best cities for families in Washington include low incidence of violent and property crimes, the availability of park and recreation facilities, the blend of small town and big city settings, commitment to community policing, active neighborhood watches, and citizen participation, and low incidences of gang-related crimes. Staying in a safe neighborhood helps the children to participate in activities considered crucial to their growth such as outdoor playing and searching for specimens and neighborhoods in nature. It offers basic reassurance to parents that children can become independent without being at risk of dangerous things that are present in high-crime regions.
