D+
15%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
4%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
17%
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 peoplePasadena/100k peopleCalifornia/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime3,560n/a (estimate)2,6702,8432,324
Murder7n/a5.35.76.3
Rape28n/a21.037.440.0
Robbery117n/a87.8123.566.1
Assault359n/a269.3332.8268.2
Violent crime511n/a (estimate)383500370
Burglary543n/a407.3371.9269.8
Theft2,172n/a1,629.31,499.31,401.9
Vehicle theft334n/a250.5471.9282.7
Property crime3,049n/a (estimate)2,2872,3431,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Pasadena, CA

Crime can be categorized into two primary types: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes encompass offenses such as murder, rape, robbery, and assault, whereas property crimes involve acts like burglary, theft, and vehicle theft. The overall crime rate in Pasadena is 14.9% higher than the national average. Specifically, there were 511 violent crimes reported in Pasadena, equivalent to 383 per 100,000 residents, which is higher than the national average by 3.7%. Additionally, Pasadena recorded 3049 property crimes, amounting to 2287 per 100,000 people, higher than the national average by 17%.

When assessing the overall crime rate in Pasadena per 100,000 people, it stands in the median range among all cities with reported crime data. Our analysis of total incidents, encompassing both violent and property crimes, underscores the close alignment of reported Pasadena crime rates with the national average as reported by other areas.

The violent crime rate in Pasadena closely mirrors the national average among all cities that reported crime, with 383 incidents per 100,000 people. The national average for violent crime per 100,000 people was 370. This consistency highlights Pasadena as a community where safety standards are in line with the broader national landscape, providing residents with a reliable sense of security.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Pasadena?

What do the local residents think about crime in Pasadena? Well, based on a recent survey of 43 people (conducted by AreaVibes), 42% of Pasadena residents said that there was virtually no crime and that they felt safe walking at night. Another 58% of respondents said that there was too much crime in the area and they did not feel safe walking alone at night.

Is Pasadena a Safe Place to Live?

To determine if Pasadena 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. Pasadena has a total crime rate that is 15% higher than the national average per 100,000 residents. This results in a total of 9.75 daily crimes (1.4 violent daily crimes and 8.35 daily property crimes) in Pasadena.

Has Crime in Pasadena Increased Since Last Year?

In the most recent crime report, year-over-year crime rates in Pasadena has increased by 3.6%. Examining the change in crime rates from one year to the next provides valuable insights into the evolving safety landscape of Pasadena, 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 23.4%, while property crime has increased by 0.9%. This comprehensive analysis offers potential residents essential information for making informed decisions about whether or not Pasadena is a safe place to live.

Pasadena Neighborhood Crime Rates

There are more than 9 different neighborhoods in the Pasadena 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 Pasadena include Mid Central, North Arroyo and East Central. While West Central, South East and South 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 Pasadena

Pasadena has a poverty rate of 14, while the national average is 15.1. In the past, there has been a direct correlation between high or low poverty rates and high or low crime stats. Elevated poverty levels and income disparities can contribute to heightened criminal activity, as individuals may resort to unlawful means to address their fundamental necessities. While lower poverty levels have led to a reduction in typical crime levels compared to other areas.

Regions characterized by high population density frequently encompass expansive urban hubs that offer diverse economic prospects. In such areas, income inequality can be exacerbated, creating pockets of poverty alongside affluence. Economic disparities within these regions may correlate with elevated property crimes and, in certain instances, violent crimes. Conversely, areas with low population density numbers generally exhibit reduced Pasadena crime rates. Pasadena registers a population density of 6184.9 people per square mile, in contrast to the national average of 90.6 people per square mile.

Pasadena has a ratio of police officers and civilians per 1,000 residents that differs from the national norm, with 2.37 officers and civilians per 1,000 residents, compared to 3.25 nationwide. Crime rates are profoundly influenced by the effectiveness of law enforcement and community policing endeavors. A resilient and cooperative partnership between law enforcement agencies and the community can serve as a deterrent to criminal activities, ultimately enhancing safety. The efficacy of law enforcement extends beyond mere numbers and extends into the realm of community policing strategies, emphasizing the cultivation of trust and collaboration between officers and the community. It is not merely a matter of quantity but the quality of engagement with the community that matters most.

Pasadena crime map



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

  • Pasadena crime rates are 15% higher than the national average
  • Violent crimes in Pasadena are 4% higher than the national average
  • In Pasadena you have a 1 in 38 chance of becoming a victim of crime
  • Pasadena is safer than 24% of the cities in the United States
  • Year over year crime in Pasadena has increased by 10%

Pasadena, CA Crime Quiz

     

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        Daily Crime In Pasadena (per 100,000 people)

        The chart above shows the number of daily crimes in Pasadena, CA per 100,000 people. In Pasadena, the number of daily crimes is projected to be 1.06 times less than the California average and 1.15 times more than the national average. The average number of daily violent crimes in Pasadena is 1.30 times less than the California average and 1.04 times more than the daily national average. With regards to property crimes, Pasadena has a daily crime rate that is 1.02 times less than the California average and 1.17 times more than the overall daily national average.

        How Safe is Pasadena (higher is better)

        Is Pasadena safe in comparison to other cities in the state of California as well as in comparison to the rest of the areas across the United States. Using the gauges above, which compare crime in Pasadena to other cities in the state and across the country, Pasadena is 40% safer than other cities of California and 24% safer than other cities in the nation. Pasadena has a ranks below average in comparison to other cities in the country.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Pasadena

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Pasadena is 1 in 261
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Pasadena is 1 in 44
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Pasadena is 1 in 38
        Are you at risk of becoming a victim of crime in Pasadena, California? If you reside in Pasadena, then there is a 1 in 261 chance that you will experience a violent crime. These types of crimes may include homicide, sexual assault, robbery, and physical assault. Your risk of being a victim of property crime is 1 in 44. These types of crime include burglary, petty theft, and theft of motor vehicles. Altogether, there is a 1 in 38 risk that you will become a victim of crime in Pasadena.

        Year Over Year Crime In Pasadena (per 100,000 people)

        An ideal indicator of whether Pasadena is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live can be done by analyzing the year over year crime rates per 100,000 people. Year over year violent crime in Pasadena has increased by 31% and the rate of property crime in Pasadena has increased by 7%. The total crime rate in Pasadena has increased by 10% year to year.

        Pasadena police department

        Item Pasadena California National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)33151,506558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents2.43.63.3
        There are a total of 331 Pasadena police officers. This results in 2.4 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 34.3% less than the California average and 27% 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
        San Pasqual, CA2,03878368446
        Rose Hills, CA2,619113527640
        Ladera Heights, CA6,419163762925
        Sierra Madre, CA10,829939091,002
        East Pasadena, CA6,0251798381,017
        Bradbury, CA82501,0251,025
        La Habra Heights, CA5,318551,0491,104
        Pasadena, CA142,0173832,2872,670

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Murfreesboro, TN141,7045112,1112,622
        Mesquite, TX142,4294673,6494,115
        Syracuse, NY142,5538913,0513,943
        McAllen, TX142,5571961,9522,148
        Midland, TX141,1944921,9102,402
        Pasadena, CA142,0173832,2872,670
        Source: The Pasadena, 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.