Is Portland Safe for Women? Crime Rate in Portland

I have been here for 4 months and I come from Europe so it is hard to say how safe it is in my perspective. At home I’m totally not scared to walk in the dark, but I am here and it’s because of all the American stories and a lot of homeless people. They usually let you be, but it still feels a little scary to walk around them.

I'm sure there are worse places but in the time I've lived here Ive been caught up in a shooting, multiple police chases and been on the news. I've had friends, family and acquaintances get mugged, shot, and even go missing, someone we know got shot and killed last year just eating a burger in his car in a parking lot. Only 17 years old. I've personally been chased and threatened by homeless people multiple times, a lot of them are on drugs and unpredictable. #1 piece of advice is NEVER leave valuables in your car. My aunt got her window smashed for 3 dollars she left in the cupholder. Don't get me wrong, its definitely possible to go around the city fairly safely, but you have to be alert and I would never recommend being out without a car and its a lot safer if you're not alone. The city can be really fun and has a lot to offer, its not all that bad and can feel fairly safe, especially during the day, but it's just a reminder to be aware of your surroundings and think quickly on your feet.

I live in a fairly safe part of the west side of Portland, so I’ve been privileged enough to not have to worry about safety. However, there’s lots of news of some crime, so to say things don’t happen would be ignorant.

Inner city Porltand, you don't want to walk alone at night.. especially in China Town. That part is questionable even in the day time. But I lived in the inner city for a couple of years during college by myself and it was sure interesting. Definitely keep pepper spray on you and don't make eye contact with people on drugs on public transport. Other than that, Portland is pretty chill. Lots of places to explore and hike and eat! Lots of art too.

I have never had an issue but keep my head on. Swivel no matter what city I’m in. I have never had a bad or poor experience in Portland. The areas that see quite a bit of homeless people are patrolled by police also.

I feel like it’s no different than any large metropolitan area; stay aware, don’t put yourself in potentially dangerous situations and you should be fine. I walk everywhere and have never had any problems. That doesn’t mean I walk through a park in the middle of the night. There is street crime and mental health issues on the streets but I use public transportation and go downtown frequently with no issues

It has gotten less safe with time due to the pandemic and increase of homeless, but the city overall is still pretty safe. I still drive out to events in downtown and still walk out and about. Obviously I avoid homeless camps

I would say it is slightly better than most large US cities. I do not often think about my safety unless I am alone at night, and even then, it’s just to stay diligent. You can do anything as a solo female.

Downtown has become fairly dangerous as the housing crisis has displaced hundreds if not thousands of locals, leaving them nothing but cheap drugs and tents. My car has been broken into in “safe” parking garages twice. Portland is also estimated to have the highest rate of human trafficking in the states. People of color are disproportionately harassed, assaulted, and jailed by Portland police, however this is common in several major US cities. The houseless people have never assaulted me, but people in a mental health crisis are unpredictable. It’s definitely not safe to walk alone at night as a womxn.

Portland is not very safe, but it depends on what part of town you’re in. It's a community with fewer big houses, but people tend to mind their own business if you're lucky. It’s not very nice overall, but there are some of the best coffee shops and little hidden corners in the city with secret treasures. Also, Forest Park is massive and beautiful, so check it out.

Solo travel

There is a cheese restaurant within the the town of Portland Maine that is open until 2 am! It has great scenery, nearby shops and it is a walkable town. I would recommend seeing a poet named Joe who is by the bay to write you a poem!

Solo travel

I traveled after a breakup. I always loved visiting Portland. I went to the Japanese friendship garden, hiked multnomah falls and just ventured out. I loved going there and I wanted to live there but couldn’t foit the bill. Met some very nice people as well. I miss the coffee.