Is it okay to walk in South Lake Union, Seattle?

Crime reported to the police, Oct 2025 – Sep 2026

Low for Seattle

Reported crime around the center of South Lake Union is higher than in 63% of areas in Seattle, taking into account how many people are usually around. 653 incidents were reported here in these 12 months.

“Here” is the area of about 0.7 km² (0.3 square miles) around the center of South Lake Union.

See South Lake Union on the map

The map shows every block, by day and at night, and gives walking directions that avoid high-crime areas.

By kind of crime

Kind	Level	Compared with the rest of Seattle
ViolentHomicide, sexual assault, robbery, assault, kidnapping	Moderate	higher than in 67% of areas
PropertyBurglary, theft, shoplifting, vandalism, arson	Moderate	higher than in 66% of areas
VehicleCar theft and break-ins	Low	lower than in 52% of areas
Weapons & drugsWeapons, drug and public-order offenses	Low	higher than in 62% of areas

Day and night

By day (6am–6pm): Very low, lower than in 69% of areas.
At night (6pm–6am): Moderate, higher than in 79% of areas.

Most reports here are from 5pm–6pm.

What gets reported here

Theft: 129 (20%)
Theft from vehicle: 114 (17%)
Burglary: 113 (17%)
Shoplifting: 74 (11%)
Vehicle theft: 63 (10%)

Following the city-wide trend over the last 6 months.

Around South Lake Union

The areas right next to it range from moderate to high.

Cascade High
Westlake Moderate
Belltown High
Uptown High
Capitol Hill Very high
First Hill High
Eastlake Low
Queen Anne Low

How to read this

It shows crime reported to the police. Many crimes are never reported.
Levels compare areas within Seattle. The same level in another city does not mean the same.
It is not a prediction, and it says nothing about any person or building.
Please do not use it for decisions about housing, lending, insurance or employment.