With over 206,000 citizens, Benton County is a county in the south-central part of Washington state. Kennewick, Pasco, Richland, and the Tri-Cities urban area are all located there.
Benton County is home to the Hanford Site, the Columbia River, and numerous vineyards, among other sights and conveniences, but it also has to deal with issues with crime and public safety.
Benton County has an average crime rate of 79.39 per 1,000 population, meaning that a crime happens every 31 minutes. Drawing from the most recent reports and data, we will examine the top five riskiest neighborhoods in Benton County in this post.
| Neighborhood | Population | Crime rate (per 1,000 residents) | Violent crime incidents (2019) | Property crime incidents (2019) |
| West Richland | 12,000 | 76.9 | 12 | 825 |
| Kennewick | 62,000 | 325.8 | 1,866 | 18,380 |
| Pasco | 64,000 | 200.6 | 143 | 11,366 |
| Richland | 43,000 | 222 | 73 | 8,819 |
| Prosser | 6,000.00 | 205.1 | 6 | 1,147 |
West Richland
Situated in the western region of Benton County, West Richland is the first neighborhood on our list.At 76.9 per 1,000 individuals, West Richland has a population of approximately 12,000 people.The national average is 35.4 per 1,000 people, which is higher than this, but slightly lower than the county average.
In 2019, there were only 12 recorded violent crimes in West Richland; however, there were 825 recorded property crimes during the same year.
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Kennewick
The next community on our roster is Kennewick, the most extensive and heavily populated city in Benton County, boasting approximately 62,000 residents.
Kennewick exhibits a crime rate of 325.8 per 1,000 residents, surpassing the national average by more than four times. The city faces elevated levels of both violent and property crimes, as evidenced by 1,866 reported violent incidents and 18,380 property incidents in the year 2019.
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Pasco
The third community on our list is Pasco, serving as the county seat and ranking as the second-largest city in Benton County, with a population of approximately 64,000 residents. Pasco exhibits a crime rate of 200.6 per 1,000 residents, nearly six times higher than the national average.
While Pasco maintains a moderate level of violent crime, recording 143 incidents in 2018, it experiences a notably high rate of property crime, with 11,366 incidents reported during the same year.
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Richland
The fourth community on our list is Richland, the third-largest city in Benton County, boasting a population of approximately 43,000 residents.
Richland exhibits a crime rate of 222 per 1,000 residents, surpassing the national average by over six times. While the rate of violent crime is relatively low, with only 73 incidents reported in 2019, the incidence of property crime is notably high, reaching 8,819 reported incidents in the same year.
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Prosser
Prosser is the fifth and last neighborhood on our list. It is a city in eastern Benton County with 6,000 residents. With 205.1 crimes committed per 1,000 people, Prosser has a crime rate that is over six times greater than the national average.
With just 6 recorded violent crimes in 2019, Prosser has a remarkably low rate of violent crime compared to 1,147 recorded property crimes in the same year.
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Conclusion
Benton County possesses numerous positive attributes and opportunities, yet it grapples with significant challenges in terms of crime and public safety.
Consequently, we suggest that residents, businesses, and authorities collaborate in Benton County to implement impactful strategies and solutions, addressing crime and enhancing the overall quality of life.
Potential measures may involve bolstering police presence and patrols, installing security cameras and alarms, establishing neighborhood watch programs, increasing social services and educational initiatives, and fostering community engagement and cooperation.
Through these concerted efforts, Benton County can evolve into a safer and more prosperous community for everyone.
