Safest cities in California

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Often referred to as the 'Golden State,' California is a land of stunning diversity and vibrant culture. Located on the West Coast, it is the third-largest state in the U.S. by area and the most populous. California's geography ranges from the majestic Sierra Nevada mountains to the fertile Central Valley and the iconic Pacific coastline. The state's economy is one of the largest in the world, driven by industries such as technology, entertainment, agriculture, and tourism. Silicon Valley is the epicenter of global tech innovation, while Hollywood remains the heart of the entertainment industry. California also boasts a rich cultural scene, with numerous museums, theaters, and historic landmarks. Sports enthusiasts can enjoy major league teams in almost every sport, including baseball, basketball, and football.

Low crime rates are crucial for ensuring high livability, making the safest cities in California particularly appealing for residents. Safety enhances community well-being and economic prosperity, providing a secure environment for families, businesses, and visitors. Contributing factors to the safety of California's cities include effective law enforcement, community engagement, and comprehensive public safety programs. The rankings of these cities are based on total crime per 100,000 people, offering a transparent and reliable metric. This emphasis on safety allows Californians to fully appreciate the state's natural beauty, cultural richness, and economic opportunities without the overshadowing concern of crime, making California an attractive place to call home.

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Imperial Population: 18,631 259 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 77 Property Crime / 100k: 182 chance of being a victim: 1 in 386

Imperial proudly holds the honor of being the safest city in California. With only 259 crimes per 100,000 people, Imperial has a crime rate that is 78% lower than the California average. This equates to an average of 0.16 crimes per day and a 1 in 386 chance of becoming a victim of a crime. The city's well-funded police department, active neighborhood watch programs, and community engagement initiatives contribute significantly to its low crime rates, making it an ideal place for families and retirees.

Calipatria Population: 7,260 299 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 66 Property Crime / 100k: 233 chance of being a victim: 1 in 334

Known for its tight-knight community and safe environment, Calipatria comes in at #2 on our list of the safest cities in California with a crime rate of 299 crimes per 100,000 people. When you dig deeper into the numbers, this translates to: 133 counts of burglary, 66 counts of theft, 33 counts of vehicle theft, 66 counts of assault, 0 counts of robbery, 0 counts of rape and 0 counts of homicide. The commitment to safety in Calipatria, makes it one of the safest and most livable areas in the state.

Los Altos Hills Population: 8,496 408 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 49 Property Crime / 100k: 358 chance of being a victim: 1 in 245

With a population of 8,496 and a total crime rate of 408 per 100,000 residents, Los Altos Hills is the 3rd safest city in California. Exhibiting a total crime rate that is 92% lower than the California average, the commitment to safety is evident in its multifaceted crime prevention strategies. The local government collaborates closely with residents through regular community meetings and feedback sessions to address safety concerns. The end result, is an incredibly safe place to live.

Holtville Population: 6,129 415 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 36 Property Crime / 100k: 379 chance of being a victim: 1 in 241

With many parks and recreational activities readily available, Holtville is a growing community where residents can enjoy the outdoors. Residents also feel safe, knowing that the overall crime rate per 100,000 people is 415, 94% lower than the California average. This amounts to 0.06 crimes per day and a 1 in 241 chance of becoming a victim of a crime. Strong community partnerships between local businesses, schools, and law enforcement further enhance the city’s security. These combined efforts make Holtville a highly desirable and safe place to call home.

Newman Population: 11,498 543 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 115 Property Crime / 100k: 428 chance of being a victim: 1 in 184

Known for its friendly neighborhoods and proactive safety measures, Newman consistently ranks high in safety. In Newman, the focus on community policing ensures that officers are integrated into the community, building strong relationships with residents. Crime prevention education, offered through schools and local organizations, empowers residents to take an active role in maintaining their safety. With everything working asynchronously, the total crime rate comes in at 543, which is 88% lower than the state average.

Moraga Population: 16,896 578 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 91 Property Crime / 100k: 487 chance of being a victim: 1 in 173

Moraga has lots to offer its residents, including safety as it comes in at #6 on our list of the safest cities in California. The total crime rate from the year that it was last reported was 578 crimes per 100,000 people, 84% lower than the California average. Breaking down each category of crime, it comes out to: 158 reports of burglary, 310 reports of theft, 18 reports of vehicle theft, 67 reports of assault, 0 reports of robbery, 18 reports of rape and 6 reports of homicide.

Hughson Population: 7,545 581 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 168 Property Crime / 100k: 413 chance of being a victim: 1 in 172

Hughson ranks as the seventh safest city in California and offers a peaceful retreat with minimal crime. With a 1 in 172 chance of becoming a victim of a crime and 0.12 crimes per day (per 100,000 people), the area has a safety record that speaks for itself. Active involvement from its residents, such as neighborhood patrols and community safety workshops, fosters a strong sense of community and vigilance. Hughson’s commitment to safety makes it one of the safest places in California.

Guadalupe Population: 7,654 582 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 91 Property Crime / 100k: 491 chance of being a victim: 1 in 172

Recognized for sprawling open spaces, outdoor recreational opportunities, and a growing economy, Guadalupe is the 8th safest city in California. Continuously ranking as one of the safest cities in the state, the crime rate came in at 91% lower than the California average, reporting a total of 582 crimes per 100,000 people. The city places a strong emphasis on public safety through various initiatives that promote collaboration between residents and local authorities. Regular community safety events and lots of outdoor spaces, coupled with an accessible and responsive police force, ensure that residents feel safe and supported.

Clayton Population: 11,585 591 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 84 Property Crime / 100k: 507 chance of being a victim: 1 in 169

Many safe cities implement comprehensive crime prevention programs that include educational initiatives, youth engagement activities, and public awareness campaigns. Clayton is a great example of such a city and continually ranks as one of the safest communities in California, based on the annual review of the FBI uniform crime report. Statistically speaking, there were a total of 591 crimes per 100,000 residents, which is 89% lower than the state average.

Rancho Santa Margarita Population: 48,280 605 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 81 Property Crime / 100k: 524 chance of being a victim: 1 in 165

Completing the list as the 10th safest city in California, is Rancho Santa Margarita. With a low rate of crime that included 72 burglaries, 351 thefts, 101 vehicle thefts, 64 assaults, 18 robberies, 0 rapes and 0 homicides, the overall crime rate was 54% lower than the state average. Cities with engaged citizens and responsive government bodies are more likely to implement effective policies and practices that promote safety and address residents’ concerns.

Full list of the safest cities in California

Rank	Location	Population	Violent Crimes /100k	Property Crimes /100k	Total Crimes /100k
1	Imperial	18,631	77	182	259
2	Calipatria	7,260	66	233	299
3	Los Altos Hills	8,496	49	358	408
4	Holtville	6,129	36	379	415
5	Newman	11,498	115	428	543
6	Moraga	16,896	91	487	578
7	Hughson	7,545	168	413	581
8	Guadalupe	7,654	91	491	582
9	Clayton	11,585	84	507	591
10	Rancho Santa Margarita	48,280	81	524	605
11	Orange Cove	10,120	307	307	614
12	Winters	7,285	89	534	623
13	Rio Vista	9,407	245	383	628
14	Danville	44,933	63	584	647
15	Lincoln	48,150	96	561	657
16	Avenal	13,033	468	203	671
17	Calexico	39,841	147	535	682
18	Saratoga	31,084	89	600	689
19	Ione	7,861	289	416	705
20	Poway	49,780	134	584	717
21	Foster City	33,056	69	669	739
22	Villa Park	5,883	36	713	749
23	Hillsborough	11,608	93	680	774
24	Soledad	25,667	257	527	785
25	Canyon Lake	11,237	45	757	802
26	Sierra Madre	10,829	209	597	806
27	Palos Verdes Estates	13,359	24	788	812
28	Moorpark	36,443	99	714	813
29	Santee	57,407	254	571	826
30	Gonzales	8,348	401	425	827
31	Hercules	26,090	168	673	841
32	La Habra Heights	5,318	171	683	853
33	Fillmore	15,631	189	666	855
34	Yorba Linda	68,103	93	765	858
35	San Marcos	96,219	222	660	882
36	Coalinga	17,252	492	411	902
37	St. Helena	6,049	172	747	919
38	Orinda	19,461	57	880	937
39	Arroyo Grande	17,924	198	754	952
40	Laguna Woods	16,056	60	893	953
41	Windsor	27,635	234	733	966
42	Rancho Palos Verdes	41,635	92	883	975
43	Lake Forest	84,666	146	830	975
44	King City	13,845	291	687	978
45	Paradise	17,560	285	693	979
46	Menifee	92,968	183	799	982
47	Solvang	5,644	68	929	996
48	Aliso Viejo	50,385	135	868	1,003
49	Agoura Hills	20,269	125	894	1,019
50	Colusa	6,111	442	579	1,020

Methodology

The AreaVibes list of the safest cities in California is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reporting program (UCR Program) from their most recent release. To compile this list, we used violent crime (assualt, robbery, rape and murder) and property crime data (burglary, theft, vehicle theft) per 100,000 people and only included California cities with a population of 5,000 or more. Displaying crime rates based on a population of 100,000 allows for an equal comparison for each city.

Map of Crime by State

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The interactive map above is a powerful tool for discovering the safest cities in each state across the USA. By highlighting states with the lowest total crime rates, this map provides valuable insights into the factors contributing to these statistics. It showcases urban centers with thriving economies, regions boasting solid job markets, and areas with low unemployment, all of which correlate with reduced crime rates. By clicking on each state, you can dive deeper into information about their safest cities and explore detailed crime statistics that paint a clearer picture of safety across the nation.