Is Washington Terrace Safe, Pros and cons of living in Washington Terrace

Washington Terrace, Utah, offers a blend of suburban tranquility and convenient access to the greater Salt Lake City metropolitan area. This community, originally established as a wartime housing project, has evolved into a desirable place to live, known for its scenic mountain views and friendly atmosphere. Its location provides a commutable distance to Ogden while retaining a distinct small-town charm.

The city is situated in Weber County and is part of the Ogden–Clearfield, Utah Metropolitan Statistical Area. Washington Terrace was founded in 1948, with George Herman Van Leeuwen playing a key role in its development. Despite his significant contributions, the proposal to name the city VanLeeuwenville was ultimately rejected.

Is it Safe to Live in Washington Terrace?

Washington Terrace presents a mixed picture regarding safety, with crime rates that are notably higher than national averages. The chance of becoming a victim of any crime in Washington Terrace is approximately 1 in 61 (according to NeighborhoodScout). This means the city is not considered one of the safest communities in the United States.

Violent crime occurs at a rate of about 2 per 1,000 inhabitants (according to NeighborhoodScout). Property crime, which includes theft, burglary, and motor vehicle theft, is also above average, with a rate of 15 per 1,000 population (according to NeighborhoodScout). When compared to other Utah cities of similar size, Washington Terrace’s combined crime rate is considerably higher than average (according to NeighborhoodScout).

Violent Crime Details

The violent crime rate in Washington Terrace is 2.972 per 1,000 residents annually (according to CrimeGrade.org). The chance of being a victim of violent crime is approximately 1 in 505 (according to NeighborhoodScout). Generally, residents consider the northern part of the city to be the safest for violent crime.

However, certain neighborhoods within Washington Terrace experience varying levels of risk. For instance, the eastern neighborhoods present a risk of 1 in 268 for violent crime, while the northern areas offer a higher degree of safety with a risk of 1 in 525 (according to CrimeGrade.org).

Property Crime Details

The rate of property crime in Washington Terrace is 15 per 1,000 population (according to NeighborhoodScout). The overall crime rate is 46.32 per 1,000 residents in a typical year (according to CrimeGrade.org).

The western parts of Washington Terrace tend to see the highest number of property crime incidents, with an estimated 116 cases annually. Conversely, the southern areas of the city experience the fewest, with around 22 crimes reported per year (according to CrimeGrade.org). Theft alone has a rate of 18.69 per 1,000 residents (according to CrimeGrade.org).

Cost of Living and Housing Market

The cost of living in Washington Terrace is slightly lower than both the national average and the average for Utah. The overall cost of living index for Washington Terrace is 98.4, compared to the national average of 100 (according to Livability.com). For a family of four, an annual income of approximately $82,829 is considered necessary to live comfortably in Washington Terrace (according to Moving to Washington Terrace UT Guide).

Housing costs in Washington Terrace are relatively moderate. The median home value is approximately $396,702 (according to Zillow). The median listing price for a home is around $399,000 (according to realtor.com®), and the median sale price was $385,000 in March 2026 (according to Redfin).

Housing Affordability

The median home value in Washington Terrace is $388,111 (according to Livability.com). This figure is supported by data showing a median sale price of $385,000 as of March 2026 (according to Redfin). The median appraised value is $295,025, and the median market value is $298,023 (according to HAR.com).

For renters, the median monthly rent is approximately $1,051 (according to Apartments.com), although other sources indicate a median rent of $1,358 per month (according to Moving to Washington Terrace UT Guide). This makes renting in Washington Terrace more affordable than the national average.

Rental Market Insights

The average rent in Washington Terrace is around $1,051 per month, which is 36% lower than the national average (as reported by Apartments.com). For a one-bedroom apartment, renters can expect to pay about $1,051 per month, and for a two-bedroom apartment, around $1,176 per month (as reported by Apartments.com).

Rental prices have seen a slight increase, with an average rent of $1,165 reported in a recent month, up $0 month over month (according to Redfin). The median rental price is $1.3K (according to realtor.com®).

Job Market and Economy

Washington Terrace offers a solid job market with a median household income of $80,119 (according to Niche). This figure is slightly above the national median household income of $80,734 (according to Niche). The unemployment rate is not readily available from the provided search results.

The city’s economy is supported by various employers, though specific major employers are not detailed in the provided data. The median age in Washington Terrace is 33.3 years (according to Data USA), suggesting a population that is largely in its prime working years.

Income and Employment

The median household income in Washington Terrace was $80,119 in 2024 (according to Cubit). This income level is comparable to surrounding areas, being slightly more than Mayfield ($80,000) and Laketown ($79,211) households. Despite this, 3.5% of families in Washington Terrace live below the poverty line (according to Cubit).

The average commute time for residents is 20.9 minutes (according to Data USA). Most residents drive alone to work, and the average car ownership is two vehicles per household (according to Data USA).

Climate and Environment

Washington Terrace experiences a climate with distinct seasons, characterized by hot summers and cold, snowy winters. Temperatures typically range from 21°F to 93°F throughout the year (according to myPerfectWeather). The average annual precipitation is about 21 inches, with snowfall averaging 57 inches (according to myPerfectWeather).

Summer months bring hot, dry, and mostly clear conditions, while winters are freezing, snowy, and partly cloudy. The hottest month is July, with average highs around 90°F and lows of 65°F. January is the coldest month, with average highs of 35°F and lows of 23°F (according to Washington Terrace Climate).

Seasonal Weather Patterns

The hot season in Washington Terrace lasts for approximately 3.1 months, from early June to mid-September, with daily high temperatures generally exceeding 79°F. The coldest season spans from late November to late February, with daily high temperatures typically falling below 45°F (according to Washington Terrace Climate).

Monthly rainfall varies, with May typically receiving the most rain, averaging 1.7 inches. July tends to be the driest month, with an average rainfall of 0.5 inches (according to Washington Terrace Climate).

Education and Schools

Washington Terrace is served by the Weber School District, with Washington Terrace School being a primary educational institution in the area. This public school serves students from Kindergarten to 6th grade. It has a student-teacher ratio of 19:1 (according to Niche).

Academically, Washington Terrace School shows mixed results. According to state test scores, 29% of students are proficient in math and 30% in reading (according to Niche). The school has a C+ overall Niche grade and a GreatSchools Rating of 4 out of 10 (according to Niche).

School Performance and Diversity

Washington Terrace School is ranked #179 out of 662 for the Most Diverse Public Elementary Schools in Utah and #433 out of 589 for Best Public Elementary School Teachers in Utah (according to Niche). The student body is predominantly White (64.8%), followed by Hispanic (30%) (according to Niche).

Compared to other schools in Utah, Washington Terrace School performs below the state average in math and reading proficiency. For instance, 32% of students are proficient in math, compared to the Utah state average of 40% (according to Niche).

Demographics and Population

As of 2024, Washington Terrace is home to approximately 9,182 residents, making it the 72nd most populated city in Utah (according to Cubit). The population has seen a slight decline, with a projected population of 9,190 for 2026, assuming a 0.0% annual rate of change (according to Cubit).

The racial composition of Washington Terrace is predominantly White, accounting for about 79.3% of the population. Hispanic residents make up approximately 11.5%, and Black or African American residents constitute about 3.6% (according to Cubit).

Population Trends and Characteristics

The population of Washington Terrace has decreased slightly, showing a -2.79% change since the 2020 census, which recorded a population of 9,263 (according to Washington Terrace Population 2026). The median age for residents is 33.3 years (according to Washington Terrace Population 2026).

The majority of residents own their homes, with a homeownership rate of 69.2% (according to Data USA). The population density is around 4,534.3 people per square mile (according to Wikipedia).