In the southwestern part of Idaho, Payette County is a rural place with about 23,000 people living there. Payette, a city of about 8,400 people, is the county seat. Even though Payette County has a reputation for being calm, it does have its fair share of crime and violence.
Based on CrimeGrade.org, Payette County is in the 56th percentile for safety, which means it is less safe than 44% of counties but better than 56%. In Payette County, there are 29.75 crimes for every 1,000 people who live there each year.
We used crime maps and data from CrimeGrade.org and NeighborhoodScout.com to find the most dangerous areas in Payette County. Here are the five places that have been deemed the most dangerous for both locals and tourists.
City Center/Payette Heights
This area includes central Payette and the northern parts of the country’s biggest city. 39 murders happen every square mile, which is more than any other place in the county. In this area, the chance of serious crime is 1 in 227 and the chance of property crime is 1 in 74.
The oldest and most important part of Payette is the City Center/Payette Heights area, which has many buildings from the late 1800s and early 1900s.
Fort Wilson/Washoe
This area includes the eastern and southeastern parts of Payette County, which run along the Snake River. With 32 crimes per square mile, it has the second-highest crime rate in the county. There is a 1 in 240 chance of being a victim of physical crime here and a 1 in 79 chance of being a victim of property crime.
This area is known for its orchards, farms, and wineries, and it was named after two military forts that were built in the 1860s to protect settlers from Native American attacks. Aside from the Payette River Greenbelt, the area is known for its orchards, farms, and wineries. There is also a beautiful trail that runs along the river.
Read More: Discover the 5 Most Dangerous Neighborhoods in Blaine County, Idaho!
Fruitland
Fruitland, the county’s second-largest city with a population of about 5,200, is in this area. It has 25 murders per square mile, which is the third most in the county.
One in 261 people here will be victims of a physical crime, and one in 84 people will be victims of a property crime. Fruitland is the county’s culturally diverse and quickly growing center. It has a large Hispanic community and a lot of ethnic shops and restaurants.
New Plymouth
This area includes New Plymouth, which has about 1,500 people and is the third-largest city in the county. With 18 crimes per square mile, it has the fourth-highest crime rate in the county. In this area, the chance of being a victim of serious crime is 1 in 313 and the chance of being a victim of property crime is 1 in 101.
New Plymouth is the smallest and most rural part of the county. It has a close-knit community with strong customs. It is also home to the Payette County Fairgrounds, which is where the Payette County Fair and Rodeo happen every year.
Payette County Rural
This part of the county includes the rest of it and is mostly made up of rural places with few people living in them. With only 13 crimes per square mile, it has the lowest crime rate in the county. There is a 1 in 386 chance of being a victim of physical crime here and a 1 in 118 chance of being a victim of property crime.
Also, the Payette County Rural area stands out as the most agricultural and thinly populated part of the county. It is home to many ranches, farms, and dairies. The Little Willow Creek Wildlife Habitat Area is also there. This area is home to many kinds of wildlife, including the rare Idaho ground squirrel.
Read More: Discover the 5 Most Dangerous Neighborhoods in Cassia County, Idaho!
How Does Payette County Compare to Other Counties in Idaho?
The rate of violent crime in Payette County is lower than the national average. There are 2.68 incidents per 1,000 people, compared to 4 incidents per 1,000 residents in the national median.
But there is more property crime in Payette County than in Idaho as a whole and across the country as a whole. The rate of property crime in Payette County is 13.43 per 1,000 people, which is higher than the national average of 10.45 per 1,000 people.
Final Words
Based on the information we have, these are the five most dangerous areas in Payette County, Idaho. Still, crime rates can change depending on things like the season and time of day.
If you’re in these places, whether you’re just visiting or living there, you should be careful and use common sense. For safety’s sake, report any strange or illegal behavior to the police.