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The Safest Neighborhoods in Bellingham: A 2025 Data-Driven Ranking

December 29, 2025
3 min read
By BellinghamScan Team

Which Bellingham neighborhoods have the lowest crime rates? We analyze 30 days of police activity data across all 25 official neighborhoods to bring you an objective, data-driven ranking.

Methodology

Our neighborhood safety rankings are based on a rolling 30-day analysis of police activity reports. We track total incident volume, the percentage of violent vs. non-violent crimes, and week-over-week trends to provide a comprehensive picture of neighborhood safety.

Important notes on our methodology:

  • We use official City of Bellingham neighborhood boundaries
  • Data comes from public police activity logs updated daily
  • Rankings reflect reported incidents, not all criminal activity
  • Population density is not factored in (larger neighborhoods may see more incidents simply due to size)

The Quietest Neighborhoods

Based on our latest data, these neighborhoods consistently report the fewest incidents:

1. Edgemoor

Located in south Bellingham near Chuckanut Bay, Edgemoor is consistently one of the quietest areas. This primarily residential neighborhood sees very few reported incidents, and when they do occur, they're almost exclusively non-violent.

View Edgemoor Safety Report →

2. South Bellingham

The southern edge of the city, near the Chuckanut Mountains, maintains low incident rates. Its distance from commercial centers contributes to its peaceful character.

View South Bellingham Safety Report →

3. Whatcom Falls

Surrounding the beautiful Whatcom Falls Park, this east-side neighborhood combines natural beauty with low crime rates. Residents enjoy both park access and neighborhood tranquility.

View Whatcom Falls Safety Report →

4. Silver Beach

On the west shore of Lake Whatcom, Silver Beach is a quiet waterfront community with consistently low incident reports.

View Silver Beach Safety Report →

5. King Mountain

This hillside neighborhood in east Bellingham, surrounded by forest, reports very few incidents and maintains a strong community atmosphere.

View King Mountain Safety Report →

Understanding the Data

Several factors contribute to low crime rates in these neighborhoods:

  • Residential character - Fewer commercial establishments means less opportunity for retail-related crimes
  • Lower population density - Fewer people generally means fewer incidents
  • Geographic isolation - Distance from high-traffic corridors
  • Strong community bonds - Neighbors who know each other tend to report suspicious activity

Most Active Areas

For context, the neighborhoods with the highest incident volumes are typically:

  • Downtown - The commercial and entertainment hub sees the most activity
  • Meridian - A major commercial corridor with retail-related incidents
  • Barkley - Shopping centers and commercial development contribute to higher numbers
High incident volume doesn't necessarily mean these areas are "unsafe"—commercial districts naturally see more police activity due to retail crime, public disturbances, and higher foot traffic.

Explore All Neighborhoods

Every neighborhood in Bellingham has its own character and safety profile. Visit our comprehensive neighborhood guide to explore all 25 areas with detailed statistics, trend charts, and recent incident lists.

Stay Informed

Safety conditions can change over time. Subscribe to our daily newsletter to stay updated on police activity in your area, or check our weekly and monthly reports for trend analysis.

Last updated: December 29, 2025
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