C-
4%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
7%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
7%
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 peopleEl Centro/100k peopleCalifornia/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime1,070n/a (estimate)2,4282,8432,324
Murder4n/a9.15.76.3
Rape15n/a34.037.440.0
Robbery29n/a65.8123.566.1
Assault103n/a233.7332.8268.2
Violent crime151n/a (estimate)343500370
Burglary160n/a363.0371.9269.8
Theft641n/a1,454.31,499.31,401.9
Vehicle theft118n/a267.7471.9282.7
Property crime919n/a (estimate)2,0852,3431,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in El Centro, CA

Looking at the most recent crime report, the crime rate in El Centro is 4.5% higher 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 El Centro, there were 151 reported violent crimes, equivalent to 343 per 100,000 individuals, 7.4% lower than the national average. Additionally, there were 919 property crimes, amounting to 2085 per 100,000 residents, 6.7% higher than the U.S. average.

When evaluating the El Centro crime rate for every 100,000 residents, it positions itself in the middle range among all cities that reported crime. Our examination of total offenses, spanning both violent and property crimes, indicates that the reported El Centro crime rates closely correspond to the national average reported by other regions.

The violent crime rate per 100,000 people in El Centro is very close to the national average of all cities that reported crime. El Centro reported 343 violent crimes, while the average of all cities was 370.

The property crime rate per 100,000 people in El Centro is very similar to the national average. El Centro had a property crime rate of 2085, while the national average was 1954. Based on these numbers, you could expect an average amount of property crime in this area.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in El Centro?

AreaVibes conducted surveys inquiring about the safety perception of El Centro residents. Out of the respondents (40 in total), 28% expressed a strong sense of security, believing that crime rates in El Centro were low, and they felt comfortable walking alone at night. Conversely, 73% held a contrasting viewpoint, expressing concerns about safety in the area and feeling uncomfortable walking alone during the nighttime hours.

Is El Centro a Safe Place to Live?

To determine if El Centro 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. El Centro has a total crime rate that is 4% higher than the national average per 100,000 residents. This results in a total of 2.93 daily crimes (0.41 violent daily crimes and 2.52 daily property crimes) in El Centro.

Has Crime in El Centro Increased Since Last Year?

Examining year-over-year crime data provides insights into short-term trends with regards to the crime activity in El Centro. This analysis involves comparing crime rates from one year to the next, enabling the identification of patterns and fluctuations in crime. Such information proves invaluable to residents seeking to make well-informed decisions about their choice of residence. In the most recent year, compared to the previous one, total crime in El Centro has decreased by 7.8%. Specifically, violent crime has decreased by 4.4%, while property crime has decreased by 8.4%. This data empowers individuals with a clearer understanding of the evolving safety landscape in El Centro.

Potential Causes for Crime in El Centro

The economic well-being of a city's residents plays a significant role in crime rates. High poverty rates and income inequality can lead to increased crime stats as individuals may resort to illegal activities to meet their basic needs. While lower rates could lead to a lower El Centro crime rate. The poverty level in El Centro is 24.2%, while the national average is 15.1%.

In El Centro, the cost of living is 4.7% lower than the national average. A high cost of living can induce economic stress for locals, especially those with limited financial resources. When people grapple with soaring housing expenses, utility bills, healthcare costs, and other essential necessities, they may be driven towards criminal activities, including theft or fraud, as a means of financial survival. Conversely, cities boasting a lower cost of living may mitigate economic pressures and potentially result in reduced crime rates.

El Centro has an average rental rate of $821 per month, compared to the national average of $949. In areas with high rental costs, some individuals and families may be forced to live in overcrowded or substandard housing conditions. Overcrowding can lead to increased stress and tension, which may contribute to domestic disputes and related property or violent crimes. Addressing affordable housing and economic mobility can be important strategies for reducing crime in such areas.

El Centro crime map



The El Centro crime map provides a detailed overview of all crimes in El Centro 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 El Centro crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the El Centro 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 El Centro, CA Crime

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      Crime Quick Facts

      • El Centro crime rates are 4% higher than the national average
      • Violent crimes in El Centro are 7% lower than the national average
      • In El Centro you have a 1 in 42 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • El Centro is safer than 29% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in El Centro has decreased by 7%

      El Centro, CA Crime Quiz

         

        Safest Places to Live in and Around El Centro

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        See all El Centro poll results

        Daily Crime In El Centro (per 100,000 people)

        The above illustration depicts the number of crimes committed daily in El Centro, per 100,000 residents. In El Centro, the total number of daily crimes is 1.17 times less than the California average and 1.04 times more than the national average. Violent daily crime statistics in El Centro are 1.46 times less than the California average and 1.08 times less than the national average. For property crime, El Centro has a daily crime rate that is 1.12 times less than the California average and 1.07 times more than the daily national average.

        How Safe is El Centro (higher is better)

        How safe is El Centro, California compared to other cities in California and the rest of the cities across the United States? The graphs above show that El Centro is safer than 50% of the cities in California and 29% of the cities in the United States. These results are calculated by analyzing all cities in California and across the US as a whole and determining how many areas have a lower crime rate than El Centro. Overall, El Centro is ranked below average compared to all other cities across the United States.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in El Centro

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in El Centro is 1 in 292
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in El Centro is 1 in 48
        The chance of being a victim of crime in El Centro is 1 in 42
        Interested in knowing the odds that you will be a crime victim in El Centro? In El Centro, you have a 1 in 292 chance of falling victim to a violent crime, such as rape, robbery, assault, or even murder. In terms of property crime, your chances of being a victim are 1 in 48. These crimes include theft, vehicle theft, and burglary. Your overall chance of being a victim of crime in El Centro, CA is 1 in 42.

        Year Over Year Crime In El Centro (per 100,000 people)

        Determining whether El Centro is becoming less or more safe for its residents (per 100,000) is most easily done by comparing year-over-year crime rates. El Centro violent crime rates have decreased by 4%. At the same time, property crime has decreased by 8% year over year. Total crimes for El Centro has decreased by 7% in the same time frame.

        El Centro police department

        Item El Centro California National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)7251,506558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents1.63.63.3
        There are a total of 72 El Centro police officers. This results in 1.6 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 54.3% less than the California average and 49.3% 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
        Imperial, CA18,63192361453
        Holtville, CA6,1293241,0611,385
        Seeley, CA1,8472811,3151,596
        Calexico, CA39,8411351,7941,929
        Brawley, CA25,9423562,5402,897
        Heber, CA8,4135192,4342,954
        El Centro, CA43,8813432,0852,428

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Urbandale, IA43,879106691797
        Cutler Bay, FL43,9282511,5161,766
        Riverton, UT43,793801,0931,173
        Altamonte Springs, FL43,9693952,2972,692
        The Colony, TX43,7912912,8183,109
        El Centro, CA43,8813432,0852,428
        Source: The El Centro, 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.