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Updated Wed, 09 Sep 2026
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Is Bellingham safe? 🇺🇸
United States · Safety report last updated
As of October 2026, Bellingham scores 83/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — generally safe. Yes, Bellingham is generally safe for visitors, with low risk of violent crime. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and tourist-targeted scams. The U.S. State Department rates it Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Bellingham 🇺🇸
United States · Assessed 28 October 2026
83
/ 100
What drives this score
Crime76/100GoodCrime index 34.9 / 100 · city-level
Sentiment82/100GoodMostly Positive
Advisories85Good
Stability72Good
Health80Good
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Good
No advisory against travel
“This travel advice also covers American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and United States Virgin Islands. Before you travel No travel can be guaranteed safe.”
Updated 2026-10-07T10:48:24Z
Full advisory →Exercise normal security precautions
“Canada's official risk level for United States: exercise normal security precautions.”
Updated 2026-10-15T08:53:58.290000-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Good
Mugging & robbery risk
Low risk
92
City SignalCity Web Research
Pickpocketing & theft risk
Moderate risk
78
City SignalCity Web Research
Visitor safety sentiment
70 / 100 (Mostly Positive)
70
City SignalCity Web Research
Urban scale factor
85k residents
87
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
5.8 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6World avg5.2United States5.8Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
62
Robbery / mugging
LowViolent crime, including mugging and armed robbery, is low, with a rate below the national average.
Pickpocketing
ModerateWhile not a major hotspot, pickpocketing and bag-snatching can occur in busy commercial areas and downtown.
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Good
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Stable
Traveller sentiment score
Mostly Positive
82/100
Reported feel70Mostly Positive
Robbery risk92Low risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk
Most residents and visitors report feeling safe walking in daylight, with a moderate level of comfort walking alone at night. Worry about being mugged or robbed is low.
Yes, Bellingham is generally safe for visitors, with low risk of violent crime.
Bellingham presents a low risk for violent crime, though property crime, particularly theft and vandalism, is a more significant concern, especially in commercial areas. Visitors generally feel safe walking during the day and moderately safe at night.
Recent developments
- Oct 2026Bellingham resident arrested and charged with aiding a Canadian school shooter.— KUOW
- Jun 2026Bellingham man accused of killing a National Guard member faces additional charges.— Bellingham Herald
- Mar 2026Opinion piece highlights that crime victim services are underfunded.— Bellingham Herald
- Nov 2025Report indicates a DC shooting suspect has ties to Bellingham.— KING5.com
Common scams
- Offers of deep discounts on electronics from individuals with vehicles in parking lots.
- Travel imposters, gambling schemes, unpaid toll claims, and disaster relief fraud are rising.
Full briefing
Bellingham offers a generally safe environment for travelers, with official advisories recommending normal security precautions. The city's crime profile is characterized by a low rate of violent crime, which is below the national average. However, property crime, including retail theft and vehicle prowling, is a more prevalent issue, particularly in commercial zones and downtown areas.
Recent incidents highlight some localized safety concerns. In October 2026, a Bellingham resident was arrested for allegedly aiding a Canadian school shooter, and in June 2026, a man accused of killing a National Guard member faced additional charges. These events, while serious, appear to be isolated and do not reflect a widespread threat to visitors.
Travelers should be aware of potential scams, such as individuals offering unsolicited deals on electronics in parking lots. There are also broader scams targeting tourists in the US, including travel imposters and fraud schemes. To stay safe, maintain awareness of your surroundings, secure your belongings, and avoid displaying valuable items. While walking alone at night may warrant increased caution, daytime safety is rated highly by residents.
Was this Bellingham, United States report helpful?
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 6 Bellingham districts for visitors: 4 safer, 2 needing caution. See them plotted on the Bellingham safety map.
DowntowncautionHigher concentration of reported incidents and visible homelessness; exercise increased vigilance, especially after dark.
South BellinghamcautionSome reports of petty crime and homelessness; maintain awareness of surroundings.
FairhavensaferHistoric district with shops and restaurants, generally considered safe for visitors.
Western Washington University Campus AreasaferStudent population generally means increased police presence and lower crime rates in immediate vicinity.
Chuckanut DrivesaferScenic route, popular for its views; exercise caution when pulling over for photos due to traffic.
North BellinghamsaferResidential areas generally considered safe.
07 · After Dark
Is Bellingham safe at night?
60% of people in United States say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2023).
Violent crime, including mugging and armed robbery, is low, with a rate below the national average.
After dark, be most careful around Downtown, South Bellingham. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Bellingham safety FAQ (2026)
Is Bellingham safe right now (2026)?
Yes, Bellingham is generally safe for visitors, with low risk of violent crime. Bellingham presents a low risk for violent crime, though property crime, particularly theft and vandalism, is a more significant concern, especially in commercial areas. Visitors generally feel safe walking during the day and moderately safe at night. (Assessed 28 October 2026.)
Is Bellingham safe for women, families and solo travelers?
Safety is not one number, and this Bellingham report does not pretend it is: the score is re-weighted for who is travelling. A woman travelling alone, a family with children and a solo backpacker face different street-level risks, so the headline score shifts and the report leads with the findings that matter for that group. Personalize this report in one click to see the 2026 score and safety briefing for your specific travellers.
Which areas of Bellingham should tourists avoid?
Downtown (after dark); Certain areas within South Bellingham (exercise caution). See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Bellingham (2026)?
- Offers of deep discounts on electronics from individuals with vehicles in parking lots.
- Travel imposters, gambling schemes, unpaid toll claims, and disaster relief fraud are rising.
How does Bellingham compare with other places in United States (2026)?
Bellingham ranks #5 of 9 United States destinations we've assessed, scoring 83/100. See the United States safety overview for the full list.
How is this bellingham safety score calculated (2026)?
The score blends 13+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, FBI crime data for U.S. cities, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry the bulk of the weight (and U.S. reports lean more on the latest field research); the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries the rest. Full methodology.
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Raw data: bellingham.json (CC BY 4.0).