Set in the Pacific Northwest, Oregon is a state that holds a multitude of breathtaking scenery, from the rugged coastlines to the jagged mountains, and everything in between. Nicknamed the Beaver State, Oregon is the 27th most populous state in the country, and the ninth largest in area. Oregon isn’t especially known for having high crime levels – the crime index for the state as a whole is 1% below the national average, but how do individual cities stack up? Here are the top ten largest cities in Oregon, ranked in terms of crime and safety.
1. Beaverton, OR
If you want to live in a city where crime isn’t a problem, choose Beaverton. At 31% below the state average, it’s the safest city in Oregon, and has been ranked among the best smaller cities in the country according to Money magazine in 2010. Beaverton is just 7 miles from downtown Portland so you get the best of both worlds living here!
2. Hillsboro, OR
The crime index for Hillsboro is also impressive: at 2,388 it is 23% below the state average. Hillsboro is the fifth largest city, and the second safest city in Oregon. It’s on the west side of the Portland metro area, and is home to many high-tech companies.
3. Corvallis, OR
Corvallis is the smallest of our top ten cities, and it’s the third safest city in Oregon. The crime index is 6% above state average, at 3,314. Corvallis is the county seat of Benton County, and it’s in the west of the state where it’s home to Oregon State University.
4. Bend, Oregon
With a population around 79,000, the city of Bend is the seventh largest in Oregon, and the largest in Central Oregon. Bend is the county seat of Deschutes County and is a haven for outdoor sports enthusiasts into mountain biking, rafting, hiking, camping, and fishing. The crime index is 3,383; 8% above state average.
5. Salem, Oregon
Salem is the capital of Oregon, and the third largest city in the state. Nicknamed the Cherry City because of the historical importance of growing cherries, Salem is still a major agricultural food processing center. Around 155,000 people live in Salem. The crime index is 33% above state average, at 4,146.
6. Springfield
Across the Willamette River from Eugene is the city of Springfield. Its population of around 60,000 puts Springfield as the ninth largest city in the state, and the crime index of 4,307 (38% above state average) puts it as the sixth safest city in Oregon.
7. Gresham
Source: flickr user skateoregon
Just east of Portland is the city of Gresham. Gresham is the fourth largest city in Oregon, and the seventh safest city in the state with its crime index of 4,429 – 42% above state average. The city was named for Postmaster General, Walter Quinton Gresham.
8. Eugene
Eugene is the second largest city in Oregon, with a population around 157,000. It’s the eighth safest city in Oregon, with a crime index of 5,282, 69% above state average, and it’s also the county seat of Lane County. Known for its natural beauty and outdoor recreation opportunities, Eugene is about 50 miles inland from the coast.
9. Portland
Way larger than any other city in Oregon, Portland is home to over half a million people and is the 28th most populous city in the country. Crime rates are higher here, though this is not the most dangerous large city in Oregon – Portland comes in ninth safest with its crime index of 5,603 – 79% above the state average.
10. Medford
The worst large city for crime levels in Oregon is Medford. This city in Jackson County, in the southeast of the state, is home to around 75,000 people and has seen a recent surge in gang activity and organized crime. The crime index is 81% above the Oregon average, at 5,656.
Image Source: Wikipedia
