| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Cerritos/100k people | California/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 2,612 | n/a (estimate) | 5,683 | 2,564 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 1 | n/a | 2.2 | 4.5 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 9 | n/a | 19.6 | 36.6 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 86 | n/a | 187.1 | 119.1 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 65 | n/a | 141.4 | 325.8 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 161 | n/a (estimate) | 350 | 486 | 359 |
| Burglary | 448 | n/a | 974.7 | 305.8 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 1,718 | n/a | 3,737.9 | 1,345.2 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 285 | n/a | 620.1 | 427.5 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 2,451 | n/a (estimate) | 5,333 | 2,078 | 1,760 |
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 Cerritos is 168.2% higher than the national average. Specifically, there were 161 violent crimes reported in Cerritos, equivalent to 350 per 100,000 residents, which is lower than the national average by 2.5%. Additionally, Cerritos recorded 2451 property crimes, amounting to 5333 per 100,000 people, higher than the national average by 203%.
Having a crime rate of 5683 per 100,000 residents, Cerritos experiences a crime rate that is 168.17% higher when compared to the national average, leading to one of the highest overall crime rates in the nation. It's important to clarify that this doesn't imply the entire city is unsafe. Like any area, Cerritos contains neighborhoods with varying safety levels and you can find areas that are notably safer than others, emphasizing the need for targeted crime prevention efforts and community engagement initiatives.
The violent crime rate per 100,000 people in Cerritos is very close to the national average of all cities that reported crime. Cerritos reported 350 violent crimes, while the average of all cities was 359.
Cerritos faces some of the nation's most elevated property crime rates, recording 5333 incidents per 100,000 people. This places the city among the worst 10% of all U.S. cities that reported crime. Regrettably, the likelihood of falling victim to property crime in Cerritos stands at 1 in 19, significantly surpassing the national average. These statistics underscore the imperative need for bolstered community safety measures to mitigate property crimes and enhance the well-being of its residents.
Vehicle thefts across all of America are on the rise and Cerritos has one of the highest vehicle theft rates in the country. In the most recent crime report, Cerritos reported 285 vehicle thefts, which equates to 620 stolen vehicles per 100,000 people. This falls in the bottom 10% of all cities, meaning that 90% of cities have better vehicle theft rates. The chance of having your vehicle stolen in Cerritos is 1 in 162.
AreaVibes conducted surveys inquiring about the safety perception of Cerritos residents. Out of the respondents (36 in total), 67% expressed a strong sense of security, believing that crime rates in Cerritos were low, and they felt comfortable walking alone at night. Conversely, 33% held a contrasting viewpoint, expressing concerns about safety in the area and feeling uncomfortable walking alone during the nighttime hours.
To get a feel for the safety of living in Cerritos, it's essential to analyze both the overall crime rate and the daily incident count. Cerritos presents a total crime rate that is 168% higher than the national average per 100,000 residents. Consequently, Cerritos experiences an average of 7.16 daily crimes, comprising 0.44 violent incidents and 6.72 property-related offenses. This evaluation offers a comprehensive understanding of the safety landscape, aiding individuals in making informed decisions when considering relocation.
Year-over-year crime rates in Cerritos has increased by 78.7% in the last reported crime report. Comparing crime rates from one year to another offers some insight into whether or not Cerritos is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live. Crime rates are categorized by violent and property crime. Year-over-year violent crime has increased by 61%, while property crime has increased by 80%. This analysis equips individuals with crucial information for making informed decisions about living in Cerritos.
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 Cerritos crime rate. The poverty level in Cerritos is 4.3%, while the national average is 15.1%.
In Cerritos, the cost of living is 88.33% higher than the national average. A substantial cost of living can burden residents, particularly those with constrained financial means. When individuals contend with steep housing expenses, grocery bills, utility costs, healthcare and essential needs that strain their budgets, they may turn to criminal activities, such as theft or fraud, as a means of financial survival. Conversely, cities characterized by a more affordable cost of living may alleviate economic pressures, which could potentially lead to decreased crime rates.
In cities grappling with housing affordability challenges, crime can emerge as a prominent issue. Certain individuals and families may find themselves needing to reside in cramped or subpar housing conditions, elevating stress levels and potentially fueling domestic conflicts and associated criminal incidents. Cerritos has a median home price of $1,285,256, deviating from the national average of $326,622. Large disparities in housing costs can significantly impact the well-being of residents and the prevalence of crime within the community.
Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.
| Item | Cerritos | California | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | n/a | 51,506 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | n/a | 3.6 | 3.3 |
| State | Total offenders | California /100K | National /100K |
| California | 79,891 | 232 | 266 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Rose Hills, CA | 2,699 | 87 | 371 | 458 |
| Villa Park, CA | 6,039 | 36 | 713 | 749 |
| La Habra Heights, CA | 5,470 | 171 | 683 | 853 |
| Yorba Linda, CA | 70,241 | 93 | 765 | 858 |
| Rossmoor, CA | 12,384 | 185 | 792 | 977 |
| Orange, CA | 144,054 | 226 | 1,288 | 1,514 |
| Rolling Hills Estates, CA | 8,314 | 101 | 1,546 | 1,646 |
| Cerritos, CA | 50,765 | 350 | 5,333 | 5,683 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Wilson, NC | 50,769 | 579 | 2,403 | 2,982 |
| Murray, UT | 50,780 | 278 | 3,319 | 3,597 |
| Harrisburg, PA | 50,810 | 762 | 1,993 | 2,755 |
| San Jacinto, CA | 50,682 | 254 | 1,727 | 1,982 |
| Florin, CA | 50,631 | 699 | 2,988 | 3,687 |
| Cerritos, CA | 50,765 | 350 | 5,333 | 5,683 |
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