C+
30%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
5%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
35%
Property crime NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects the 2022 calendar year and was released from the FBI in September, 2023; this is the most current data available.
StatisticReportedincidents/100k peopleChula Vista/100k peopleCalifornia/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime4,525n/a (estimate)1,6282,8432,324
Murder8n/a2.95.76.3
Rape33n/a11.937.440.0
Robbery295n/a106.1123.566.1
Assault639n/a229.9332.8268.2
Violent crime975n/a (estimate)351500370
Burglary519n/a186.7371.9269.8
Theft2,035n/a732.11,499.31,401.9
Vehicle theft996n/a358.3471.9282.7
Property crime3,550n/a (estimate)1,2772,3431,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Chula Vista, CA

Looking at the most recent crime report, the crime rate in Chula Vista is 30% lower than the national average. These crimes fall into two primary categories: violent and property. Violent crimes encompass murder, rape, robbery and assault, while property crimes involve theft, vehicle theft and burglary. In Chula Vista, there were 975 reported violent crimes, equivalent to 351 per 100,000 individuals, 5.2% lower than the national average. Additionally, there were 3550 property crimes, amounting to 1277 per 100,000 residents, 34.7% lower than the U.S. average.

The violent crime rate per 100,000 people in Chula Vista is very close to the national average of all cities that reported crime. Chula Vista reported 351 violent crimes, while the average of all cities was 370.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Chula Vista?

What is the prevailing sentiment among Chula Vista residents regarding the state of crime? A comprehensive survey conducted by AreaVibes, involving 37 respondents, sheds light on this matter. The results were as follows: 43% of Chula Vista residents expressed a notable sense of security, asserting that crime was virtually non-existent in their community, and they felt at ease strolling the streets after dark. While, 57% of those surveyed held a contrasting viewpoint, perceiving a higher incidence of crime, leading them to feel apprehensive about walking alone at night.

Is Chula Vista a Safe Place to Live?

To determine if Chula Vista is a safe place to live, let's take a look at the overall crime rate of the area, as well as the number of daily crimes. Chula Vista has a total crime rate that is 30% lower than the national average per 100,000 residents. This results in a total of 12.4 daily crimes (2.67 violent daily crimes and 9.73 daily property crimes) in Chula Vista.

Has Crime in Chula Vista Increased Since Last Year?

In the most recent crime report, year-over-year crime rates in Chula Vista has increased by 7.6%. Examining the change in crime rates from one year to the next provides valuable insights into the evolving safety landscape of Chula Vista, aiding residents in assessing whether it is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live. These crime rates are categorized into two primary groups: violent and property crimes. Year-over-year, violent crime has increased by 11.9%, while property crime has increased by 6.5%. This comprehensive analysis offers potential residents essential information for making informed decisions about whether or not Chula Vista is a safe place to live.

Chula Vista Neighborhood Crime Rates

There are more than 20 different neighborhoods in the Chula Vista area. Depending on their location and other socioeconomic factors, the rate of crime in each neighborhood is vastly different. Areas that are located near the center or downtown core, tend to be more densely populated and typically see higher crime rates. While neighborhoods in the outskirts of the city tend to be less densely populated and have lower unemployment and poverty rates. Some of the safer neighborhoods in Chula Vista include Eastlake Woods, Bonita Long Canyon and Bella Lago. While Village Center, Northwest and Southwest have a reported crime rate that is higher than average. This reinforces the need to do a quality check on multiple neighborhoods as their crime rates can be quite different.

Potential Causes for Crime in Chula Vista

In areas where employment options are limited or where a significant proportion of jobs offer meager wages, the likelihood of heightened unemployment and homelessness increases. Regions facing challenges related to unemployment or inadequate income may become more vulnerable to a surge in crime stemming from economic instability. While low unemployment rates tend to lead to reduced crime in most areas. Chula Vista currently has an unemployment rate of 6.2%, contrasting with the national average of 4.7%. This could be one of many factors that could contribute to a higher or lower crime rate.

In Chula Vista, the ratio of police officers and civilians stands at 1.2 per 1,000 residents, contrasting with the national average of 3.25. This discrepancy highlights the potential impact of law enforcement and community policing on crime rates. The strength of their collaboration can serve as a deterrent to criminal behavior, fostering a safer environment. Effective law enforcement leans heavily on community policing strategies that prioritize the cultivation of trust and cooperation between police and residents. It's essential to recognize that the effectiveness of these efforts isn't solely tied to the quantity of officers but also hinges on the quality of their engagement with the community.

The median home price in Chula Vista is $526,500, compared to the national average of $184,700. High housing costs can lead to financial stress for residents. When individuals struggle to make ends meet due to expensive housing, they may be more inclined to engage in criminal activities to address their financial difficulties, such as theft or fraud. Communities with stable housing environments tend to foster stronger social bonds and community engagement. This can lead to increased vigilance and cooperation among residents, which can deter criminal behavior.

Chula Vista crime map



The Chula Vista crime map provides a detailed overview of all crimes in Chula Vista as reported by the local law enforcement agencies. Based on the color coded legend above, the crime map outlines the areas with lower crime compared to the areas with higher crime. The Chula Vista crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the Chula Vista crime map does not always indicate that it is a dangerous area for its residents. Areas on the heat map could be inflated if they are located in high traffic areas like airports, sports centers or large parks. Other areas on the heat map could see increased crime rates if they are located in major tourist areas like the downtown core.
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Compare Chula Vista, CA Crime

      vs

      Crime Quick Facts

      • Chula Vista crime rates are 30% lower than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Chula Vista are 5% lower than the national average
      • In Chula Vista you have a 1 in 62 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Chula Vista is safer than 36% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Chula Vista has increased by 7%

      Chula Vista, CA Crime Quiz

         

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        Daily Crime In Chula Vista (per 100,000 people)

        The bar chart above reveals the rate of daily crimes in Chula Vista for every 100,000 residents. The Chula Vista total amount of daily crime is 1.75 times less than the California average and 1.43 times less than than that of the nation. As for violent crimes, the daily average in Chula Vista, is 1.42 times less than the California average, and it is 1.05 times less than the national average. The statistics for property crimes show that Chula Vista has a daily crime average that is 1.83 times less than the California average and 1.53 times less than the daily national rate.

        How Safe is Chula Vista (higher is better)

        Are people any safer living in Chula Vista in comparison to other California communities and all other areas throughout the United States? When we look at all cities across America, is Chula Vista safe? The evidence provided by these graphs show Chula Vista being safer than 62% of cities in California and 36% of cities across the United States. This is evident by tracking California cities as well as all US cities over a one year period to contrast crime statistics as they relate to Chula Vista. In conclusion, Chula Vista ranks below average compared to the rest of the United States.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Chula Vista

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Chula Vista is 1 in 286
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Chula Vista is 1 in 79
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Chula Vista is 1 in 62
        Wondering what the chances are that you fall victim to a crime in Chula Vista? In Chula Vista, CA you have a 1 in 286 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime. Violent crimes include murder, rape, robbery and assault. With regards to property crime, you have a 1 in 79 chance of becoming a victim. Property crimes include burglary, theft and motor vehicle theft. Overall, you have a 1 in 62 chance of becoming a victim of crime in Chula Vista.

        Year Over Year Crime In Chula Vista (per 100,000 people)

        The year over year change in crime per 100,000 people helps to understand whether crime in Chula Vista, CA is on the rise or declining. The violent crime rate in Chula Vista has increased by 11%, while the property crime rate in Chula Vista has increased by 6% year over year. Summing up the numbers, Chula Vista has increased by 7% with regards to total crimes year over year.

        Chula Vista police department

        Item Chula Vista California National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)29951,506558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents1.23.63.3
        There are a total of 299 Chula Vista police officers. This results in 1.2 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 66.9% less than the California average and 63.2% less than the National average.

        Sex offenders in California

        State Total offenders California /100K National /100K
        California79,891232266
        There are a total of 79,891 sex offenders in California. This yields a total of 232 sex offenders in California per 100,000 residents which is 13% less than the national average.

        Nearby Cities With Low Crime Rates

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Granite Hills, CA4,020111518629
        Crest, CA2,7212039521,155
        Santee, CA57,4072599001,159
        Jamul, CA5,7762541,1921,447
        Imperial Beach, CA27,3343971,0571,454
        Spring Valley CDP (Lake County), CA1,1542701,2651,535
        Harbison Canyon, CA4,3553211,5031,824
        Chula Vista, CA268,7793511,2771,628

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Fort Wayne, IN268,3782622,3872,649
        Irvine, CA272,694751,4791,554
        St. Petersburg, FL264,0016292,6633,292
        Jersey City, NJ262,6522201,3841,605
        Toledo, OH275,1161,1633,0814,244
        Chula Vista, CA268,7793511,2771,628
        Source: The Chula Vista, CA crime data displayed above is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reports for the year of 2022. The crime report encompasses more than 18,000 city and state law enforcement agencies reporting data on property and violent crimes. The uniform crime reports program represents approximately 309 million American residents, which results in 98% coverage of metropolitan statistical areas.