Oregon : Safety by City
- Astoria
- Baker City
- Bayshore
- Beaverton
- Bend
- Coos Bay
- Corvallis
- Eugene
- Gresham
- Hermiston
- Hillsboro
- Hood River
- Klamath Falls
- La Grande
- Lincoln City
- Medford
- Portland
- Roseburg
- Salem
- Seaside
The city of Salem is marketed as “The most Oregon part of Oregon.”
It’s a mix of art, history, and outdoor adventures.
It’s also a booming business center with a small-town feel.
Salem, Oregon, ranks in the top 100 places to live and retire by U.S. News and World Report.
The state’s capital is in Salem, feeding a good mix of politics into the culture.
It’s an hour away from Portland, making it a great commuter city for those who don’t want the big-city feel of Portland.
Salem is also an hour east of the famous Oregon coastline with its rocky ridges, tide pools, and wave-watching.
Also, where else can you see goats mowing the lawn and be banned from pumping your gas?
Warnings & Dangers in Salem
OVERALL RISK: LOW
There's a mixed bag of information when it comes to crime and safety. Violent crime is lower than the national average, but property crimes do top the national numbers. Those numbers shouldn't make tourists think twice about visiting Salem. There's a low overall risk. Many of the crime number percentages need to be looked at in a view by the decades, as there was a large spike in crime in this area in 2017/2018. So yearly, the crime statistic might be down, but it's still higher than pre-2017 in some categories.
TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
There's a low risk when riding public transportation and plenty of options. Cherriots (not a typo) is the local business service that runs hyper-local and regionally through the mid-Willamette Valley. There are also several shuttle options between Portland and Salem. Not only does the state regulate public rides and taxi services, but it is also dedicated to making roads better with an aggressive transportation plan.
PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
There's a medium pickpocket risk in Salem, with crime rates at 3,026 per 100,000. This is the lowest it has been since 2016 and a 4.3% drop year to year.
NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
With Oregon ranking #2 on a list of states most like to have natural disasters, we're going to have to go with a medium risk on this one. Some of the higher risks are limited to the coastline, like tsunamis, but there are still flooding, volcano, wildfire, and wind/dust storm concerns inland. Wildfires might be the biggest concern for the state and the western United States. It's wise to have a good weather app so you can check all the weather conditions ahead of your trip.
MUGGING RISK: LOW
A violent crime like mugging/robbery has a lower risk than pickpocketing, with a crime rate of 87 per 100,000. With 148 robberies in 2020, it's still the lowest number since 2016.
TERRORISM RISK: LOW
The big risk here is going to be from the natural world, not the terrorist world, so there's a low risk. Oregon is an outdoor adventure land with no hard targets for terrorists. The only concern could be any residual impact should Seattle's port become a target that could limit travel and supplies.
SCAMS RISK: LOW
There's a low risk of scams in Salem and across Oregon, with a high chance, any scammed will be caught. This is because the Oregon Department of Justice has a Scam Alert Network you can sign up for quickly. You'll get a notification if there is a new scam and you can report any scam you see.
WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
There's a low risk for women travelers. Oregon doesn't allow people to put gas in their own gas, making it safer when you gas up because you don't get out of the car. Some travel companies offer deals for women-only groups, giving an extra sense of safety. The crime data doesn't show there's any more chance a woman will be a victim of a crime than a man, but follow common-sense safety steps when visiting Salem, Oregon.
TAP WATER RISK: LOW
There's a low risk in the tap water of Salem and if an issue arises, the city will let you know through the Salem Community Alert System. May - September the water is also additionally tested twice per week for algae bloom pollution.
Safest Places to Visit in Salem
Even looking at the Community Crime Map provided by LexisNexis for the past year, the top crimes like robbery, larceny, and property crimes seem pretty spread out evenly through the city.
When looking at places to visit, it’s important to note that Salem is a city, but it’s part of the mid-Willamette Valley, so tourism suggestions might include a city outside of Salem but still in the region.
For example, if you want to visit the Aurora Colony National Historic District, it is just 30 miles away but still considered part of the Salem community.
Probably the absolute safest place to visit in Salem is the State Capitol building and surrounding grounds since there are plenty of security measures taken for admission.
Don’t miss the state Park outside the capital, as you can walk through beautiful flowers and plenty of history.
Riverfront City Park is a great place to enjoy a nice day with a carousel ride or hiking nearly 30 miles of trails.
The historic Elsinore Theatre is a big draw, even if you aren’t seeing a show.
Just the majesty of the theater is worth visiting.
Places to Avoid in Salem
There are more than 1100 homeless people in Salem, and they can be a nuisance downtown.
The city has many efforts to help the homeless, including female-only shelters, but as with most cities, this problem isn’t easy to fix.
You don’t need to avoid downtown because of this, but just be aware.
Social forums are filled with advice that isn’t very consistent with neighborhoods.
Some say the north side has a little higher crime, others say avoid the south side.
Again, we dug into the crime maps of the most likely tourist crimes, and it’s spread pretty evenly.
If you head to the west side of town, get ready for traffic because the bridge backs up big time—one of the biggest complaints among locals.
When walking around town at night, especially if you are in a park or off the beaten path of the micro-breweries and nightlife, use basic caution.
Keep your belongings close and don’t wander down dark alleys or strange streets.
Safety Tips for Traveling to Salem
- Know the language of the locals. For one thing, there is no “gone” in Oregon. It’s pronounced (ORE-uh-g’n) or (ORY-gun). Another one to get down? Willamette is (Will-AM-it), not (Will-uh-mette). If you ask a local, they’ll probably bellow “Willamette, Dammit!” to show you the right rhyme word, albeit a little crass.
- Your money is safe with no local sales tax. The only taxes you’ll pay will be on lodging and cigarettes, for the most part.
- Don’t be surprised if you smell marijuana in Salem. People 21 and older can purchase and use medical and recreational marijuana. You cannot just light up or use it in public as it’s only legal on private property. Don’t take it with you when you leave, as that’s illegal. There are also limits to how much you can purchase.
- You can’t pump your gas in Oregon. While a few exceptions might exist city to city, overall it’s required by law that an attendant pumps your gas. You are not obligated to tip, but it is appreciated. Enjoy this rare service, as Oregon is only one of two states in the country that doesn’t let drivers pump their gas.
- There are traditional hotels and historic boutiques to stay in when you visit Salem, but you’ll also come across options called “Glamping” and “Yurts”. A Yurt is a circular enclosure much like a tent. Glamping is a fancier side of camping for those who want to explore the outdoors but don’t want to give up modern facilities. The glamping and yurt trends are strong in this area, and it’s just as safe to stay in these unique places as it is in a hotel.
- Know the road conditions. Salem can be impacted by flooding, wildfire, and snow. Before you head out, check the local traffic cameras or road reports to make sure your journey will be safe.
- Salem Police say there are “too many bicycles reported stolen” each year, and they’ve set up a bicycle registration program to curb the crime. If you rent a bike while visiting, always lock it up before exploring on foot. While it’s recommended that everyone wear a helmet while biking, it’s required for people 16 and under.
- Don’t be surprised if you hear the buzz of a bee or the “baa” of a goat. Salem allows beekeeping and goat grazing. Beekeepers have rules to follow to keep hive numbers under control. Goats are allowed to “graze”, meaning they maintain the lawn, under specific conditions. If you see a grazing goat, don’t pet it or feed it. Just enjoy the unique sight.
- Watch the wildlife but don’t feed it. A squirrel or bird might lurk around looking for a feast, but if you do feed them it can be dangerous to the animal and the environment. The city of Salem encourages everyone to talk to a park ranger about the best bird-watching practices instead.
- Bring rain gear. There is some kind of precipitation 152 days a year in Salem. November – March are the months with the most rain. You’ll need an umbrella, duck shoes, and a rain jacket.
So... How Safe Is Salem Really?
It’s a community that went through a crime spike in 2017 and is slowly recovering.
It’s the second-largest city in the state and a commuter city connected by bus, highway, and train to the bigger city of Portland.
There is going to be a certain amount of crime in a city this size, but there’s no stand-out concern for the average tourist.
For the past three years, crime has been down each year and is now equaling the crime rates of 2015.
This is a liberal, outgoing community that welcomes tourists.
More than 10% of revenue in the city is fed by tourism.
You should feel safe exploring Salem, the mid-Willamette Valley, and the coastal areas of this region as long as you use basic safety measures to keep your stuff safe and not draw attention to yourself with large amounts of money or valuables.
If you rent a car here, keep your belongings out of sight and lock the doors.
How Does Salem Compare?
| City | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Salem | 81 |
| Oakland | 57 |
| New Orleans | 57 |
| Baltimore | 56 |
| Boston | 67 |
| Washington DC | 56 |
| New York City | 67 |
| Phnom Penh (Cambodia) | 61 |
| Niagara Falls (Canada) | 87 |
| Calgary (Canada) | 82 |
| Buenos Aires (Argentina) | 60 |
| Vancouver (Canada) | 82 |
| Cordoba (Argentina) | 61 |
Useful Information
Visas
All Visa requirements will be taken care of at the airport of your choice. You will need a legal ID to buy alcohol, visit wineries, and buy marijuana.
Currency
The community and state use U.S. Dollar currency only.
Weather
The weather is generally mild to cool in this part of the country with heavy amounts of precipitation. The warmest temperatures are in July and August, around 80°(F), but most of the year you can expect the 50's and 60's for highs with lows that can get near freezing in the winter. Pack extra jackets and rain gear.
Airports
There is no commercial airline in Salem, though a group of businesses is working to change that. For now, the best bet is the Portland International Airport (PDX), which is about an hour's drive away, maybe a bit longer if you take a shuttle or bus. The total distance is 57 miles away.
Travel Insurance
Given the natural disaster risk in Salem, and Oregon as a whole, you should get travel insurance. It's just too risky to travel without it to this otherwise beautiful destination.
Salem Weather Averages (Temperatures)
Average High/Low Temperature
| Temperature / Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 9 | 11 | 14 | 16 | 20 | 23 | 28 | 28 | 25 | 18 | 12 | 8 |
| Low °C | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 9 | 6 | 3 | 1 |
| High °F | 48 | 52 | 57 | 61 | 68 | 73 | 82 | 82 | 77 | 64 | 54 | 46 |
| Low °F | 34 | 36 | 37 | 39 | 45 | 50 | 54 | 54 | 48 | 43 | 37 | 34 |
Oregon - Safety by City
| City | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Astoria | 85 |
| Baker City | 77 |
| Bayshore | 78 |
| Beaverton | 84 |
| Bend | 87 |
| Coos Bay | 52 |
| Corvallis | 73 |
| Eugene | 52 |
| Gresham | 70 |
| Hermiston | 79 |
| Hillsboro | 73 |
| Hood River | 82 |
| Klamath Falls | 67 |
| La Grande | 84 |
| Lincoln City | 78 |
| Medford | 67 |
| Portland | 69 |
| Roseburg | 75 |
| Salem | 81 |
| Seaside | 74 |
A place with a lot of history
I had a positive experience with Salem. While I was here with my family we didn’t encounter any major crimes, nothing except for pickpocketing which can be seen once in a while. We haven’t personally experienced it but we heard someone complain about their phone just being stolen so we know it happens. It’s not a surprise since this sort of thing can happen in smaller cities than this. I’m glad it doesn’t happen all that often and that we don’t see other (major) crimes.
Salem has a lot of interesting places to visit.
The Salem Maritime National Historic Site
This place is filled with 18th and 19th century history. You can also see the Friendship and get a tour of it – this being a 18th-century commercial ship. There are other free guided tours where you can learn about America’s first millionaire and about the life of author Nathaniel Hawthorne. It’s one of the first things I wanted to visit when I got to Salem.
The Corwin House
As I understood it this is one of the few things in Salem that is directly tied to the Witchcraft Trials from 1692. It is well preserved and gives you an idea of how life was and looked in the 17th century. There are guided tours filled with knowledge about the time, architecture and life from the time. Some things are true, others might be fiction and others, well who could tell?
There’s also Pioneer Village to visit, this being a wonderful living museum, 3 acres in size where you can see native buildings, gardens and a blacksmith.
Marblehead
Today, this is a well known yachting and sailing place with the known Marblehead Race Week going off in the summer. This is a race that dates back to 1889 and attracts people from all over the globe. There’s much more to see while you’re here, from the Jeremiah Lee Mansion and King Hooper Mansion, to Fort Sewell and the Marblehead Arts Association.