| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Colton/100k people | California/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 1,466 | n/a (estimate) | 2,685 | 2,843 | 2,324 |
| Murder | 7 | n/a | 12.8 | 5.7 | 6.3 |
| Rape | 10 | n/a | 18.3 | 37.4 | 40.0 |
| Robbery | 64 | n/a | 117.2 | 123.5 | 66.1 |
| Assault | 135 | n/a | 247.3 | 332.8 | 268.2 |
| Violent crime | 216 | n/a (estimate) | 396 | 500 | 370 |
| Burglary | 200 | n/a | 366.3 | 371.9 | 269.8 |
| Theft | 773 | n/a | 1,415.8 | 1,499.3 | 1,401.9 |
| Vehicle theft | 277 | n/a | 507.4 | 471.9 | 282.7 |
| Property crime | 1,250 | n/a (estimate) | 2,290 | 2,343 | 1,954 |
Crime is typically categorized into two main types: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes encompass offenses such as murder, rape, robbery, and assault, while property crimes include burglary, theft, and vehicle theft. Based on the most recent report, the Colton crime rate is higher than the national average by 15.5%. Specifically, there were 216 violent crimes in Colton, equivalent to 396 per 100,000 individuals, higher than the national average by 7%. Furthermore, Colton recorded 1250 property crimes, amounting to 2290 per 100,000 residents, which was higher than the average by 17.2%.
When it comes to violent crimes per 100,000 people, Colton maintains a rate that is very similar to the national average. With 396 reported violent crimes, it falls in line with the national average of 370. This alignment suggests that Colton shares a similar crime profile with other cities, highlighting its comparable level of safety within the broader urban landscape.
Despite a steady decline in murder rates in the United States since 1990, recent years have witnessed an unfortunate uptick. Colton stands out with one of the nation's highest murder rates, surpassing other cities that reported crime. In Colton, there were a total of 7 murders, translating to 13 murders per 100,000 people, underscoring the pressing need for continued efforts to address and reduce severe violent crime in the area.
The surge in vehicle thefts is a concerning trend across the United States, and Colton is no exception, experiencing one of the nation's highest vehicle theft rates. Last year, Colton reported a total of 277 vehicle thefts, resulting in 507 stolen vehicles per 100,000 people. This places the city in the lowest 10% tier among all cities, indicating that 90% of cities have less stolen vehicles. The probability of a vehicle being stolen stands at 1 in 198, underscoring the need for heightened vigilance and security measures.
AreaVibes has conducted polls asking local residents if they feel safe living in Colton. Based on the results of the surveys (26 responses), 31% of people felt that there was very little crime in Colton and felt safe walking alone at night. While 69% of people felt that it was not a safe place to live and did not feel safe walking alone at night.
Is Colton a safe place to live? While the answer may not be straightforward due to variations in safety levels across the city, gaining an understanding of the overall crime rate can prove to be advantageous. In general, Colton has a crime rate that is higher than the national average by 16%. Breaking this down on a daily basis, it translates to 4.02 daily incidents, encompassing 0.59 violent crimes and 3.42 property crimes. Evaluating these statistics can aid in forming a more informed perspective on the safety of Colton as a potential place to call home.
Year-over-year crime rates in Colton has decreased by 9.5% in the last reported crime report. Comparing crime rates from one year to another offers some insight into whether or not Colton 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 13.1%, while property crime has decreased by 12.5%. This analysis equips individuals with crucial information for making informed decisions about living in Colton.
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 Colton crime rate. The poverty level in Colton is 15.1%, while the national average is 15.1%.
The educational level achieved in any given city can influence crime rates significantly. Greater educational achievement is frequently associated with decreased crime rates, as it offers individuals improved job prospects and alternatives to engaging in crime related activities. Conversely, lower educational attainment rates tend to coincide with elevated crime rates. In Colton, 70% of residents have successfully graduated from high school, in contrast to the national average where 83% have achieved high school graduation.
High rent costs can create economic stress for individuals and families, particularly those with limited financial resources. When a significant portion of one's income is spent on housing, there may be less money available for other essential needs such as food, healthcare and education. Economic stress can contribute to desperation and potentially lead individuals to engage in criminal activities, such as theft or fraud, as a means of financial survival. Average rent rates in Colton are $1,213, compared to a national average of $949 per month.
| Item | Colton | California | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 67 | 51,506 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 1.3 | 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 |
| March ARB, CA | 1,236 | 166 | 779 | 946 |
| Lytle Creek, CA | 656 | 224 | 1,052 | 1,276 |
| Coronita, CA | 3,968 | 270 | 1,267 | 1,538 |
| Fontana, CA | 212,704 | 287 | 1,287 | 1,574 |
| Eastvale, CA | 65,766 | 133 | 1,693 | 1,827 |
| Highland, CA | 55,339 | 727 | 1,322 | 2,049 |
| Running Springs, CA | 4,410 | 422 | 1,978 | 2,401 |
| Colton, CA | 54,215 | 396 | 2,290 | 2,685 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Mount Prospect, IL | 54,165 | 70 | 949 | 1,019 |
| Grapevine, TX | 54,151 | 141 | 2,942 | 3,083 |
| Tigard, OR | 54,149 | 357 | 3,678 | 4,035 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | 54,330 | 881 | 2,769 | 3,650 |
| Decatur, AL | 54,344 | 418 | 2,595 | 3,014 |
| Colton, CA | 54,215 | 396 | 2,290 | 2,685 |
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