El Cajon, CA Crime Rates: Stats & Map

D+

11%

Total crime NAT. AVG.

27%

Violent crime NAT. AVG.

18%

Property crime NAT. AVG.

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.

Statistic	Reported_incidents	_{/100k people}	El Cajon_{/100k people}	California_{/100k people}	National_{/100k people}
Total crime	2,175	n/a (estimate)	2,078	2,843	2,324
Murder	0	n/a	0.0	5.7	6.3
Rape	29	n/a	27.7	37.4	40.0
Robbery	117	n/a	111.8	123.5	66.1
Assault	345	n/a	329.5	332.8	268.2
Violent crime	491	n/a (estimate)	469	500	370
Burglary	265	n/a	253.1	371.9	269.8
Theft	1,077	n/a	1,028.7	1,499.3	1,401.9
Vehicle theft	342	n/a	326.7	471.9	282.7
Property crime	1,684	n/a (estimate)	1,609	2,343	1,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in El Cajon, CA

When we analyze the latest crime report, the El Cajon crime rate is 10.6% lower than the national average. These incidents are classified into two primary categories: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes include assault, robbery, rape and murder. Whereas property crimes encompass theft, vehicle theft and burglary. In the case of El Cajon, there were 491 reported violent crimes, equivalent to 469 per 100,000 individuals, 26.8% higher than the national average. Additionally, El Cajon recorded 1684 property crimes, amounting to 1609 per 100,000 residents, 17.7% lower than the U.S. average.

When assessing the total crime rate in El Cajon 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 within El Cajon, underscores the close alignment of reported crime rates with the national average as reported by other areas.

El Cajon showcased a dedication to violent crime safety in its latest reported crime year by achieving a murder rate of 0. This accomplishment could indicate that it is a safe place for residents, but also provides a shining example to other urban areas endeavoring to create safer communities.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in El Cajon?

What do the local residents think about crime in El Cajon? Well, based on a recent survey of 35 people (conducted by AreaVibes), 37% of El Cajon residents said that there was virtually no crime and that they felt safe walking at night. Another 63% of respondents said that there was too much crime in the area and they did not feel safe walking alone at night.

Is El Cajon a Safe Place to Live?

Determining whether El Cajon is a place to live may not always yield a simple answer, given the city's varying safety levels across different areas. Nonetheless, comprehending the city's overall crime rate can be a valuable asset. In broad terms, El Cajon has an overall crime rate that is 11% lower than the national average. When we take a look at crime on a daily basis, this translates into 5.96 daily occurrences, comprising 1.35 violent crimes and 4.61 property crimes. Scrutinizing these statistics provides a foundation for a more informed assessment of the suitability of El Cajon as a potential place to establish residency.

Has Crime in El Cajon Increased Since Last Year?

Year-over-year crime rates in El Cajon has decreased by 8.8% in the last reported crime report. Comparing crime rates from one year to another offers some insight into whether or not El Cajon 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 decreased by 6.5%, while property crime has decreased by 9.5%. This analysis equips individuals with crucial information for making informed decisions about living in El Cajon.

Potential Causes for Crime in El Cajon

The impact of law enforcement and community policing efforts plays a crucial role in shaping crime rates in any city. A robust and cooperative bond between law enforcement and the community can serve as a deterrent to criminal activities, enhancing overall safety. In El Cajon, the ratio of police officers and civilians per 1,000 residents stands at 1.78, differing from the national average of 3.25. Effective law enforcement hinges not solely on officer numbers but also on the manner in which they interact and collaborate with the community. Building trust and cooperation are central tenets of community policing, amplifying its influence on crime prevention.

In areas where housing affordability is an issue, crime can become a significant concern. Some individuals and families may be forced to live in overcrowded or substandard housing conditions, which can increase stress and potentially contribute to domestic disputes and related crimes. The median home price in El Cajon is $470,800, compared to a national average of $184,700.

In El Cajon, the average rental rates are $1,398 per month, compared to the national average of $949. Rapid increases in rental costs can lead to neighborhood instability as residents are forced to move frequently in search of more affordable housing. This transience can weaken community bonds and hinder the establishment of social support networks, which can indirectly contribute to crime. While affordable rent and areas with higher income per capita, allow for long term renters and community bonds to the formed, therefore reducing crime rates on the long term.

El Cajon crime map

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

New Real Estate Listings in El Cajon Area

For Sale For Rent

Search

Search Homes for Sale in El Cajon, CA

Compare El Cajon, CA Crime

See How Much House You Can Afford. Get Pre-Approved Today

Crime Quick Facts

El Cajon crime rates are 11% lower than the national average
Violent crimes in El Cajon are 27% higher than the national average
In El Cajon you have a 1 in 49 chance of becoming a victim of crime
El Cajon is safer than 24% of the cities in the United States
Year over year crime in El Cajon has decreased by 11%

El Cajon, CA Crime Quiz

Safest Places to Live in and Around El Cajon

See all the best places to live around El Cajon

Write a review to give others more information about this area.

See all El Cajon poll results

The best places in California

Here are the best places to live in California

10 Best cities in California for employment

10 best cities to buy a new house in California

Top 10 cities in California with the best education system

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

The bar chart above reveals the rate of daily crimes in El Cajon for every 100,000 residents. The El Cajon total amount of daily crime is 1.37 times less than the California average and 1.12 times less than than that of the nation. As for violent crimes, the daily average in El Cajon, is 1.07 times less than the California average, and it is 1.27 times more than the national average. The statistics for property crimes show that El Cajon has a daily crime average that is 1.46 times less than the California average and 1.22 times less than the daily national rate.

How Safe is El Cajon (higher is better)

Are people any safer living in El Cajon in comparison to other California communities and all other areas throughout the United States? When we look at all cities across America, is El Cajon safe? The evidence provided by these graphs show El Cajon being safer than 39% of cities in California and 24% of cities across the United States. This is evident by tracking California cities as well as all US cities over a one year period to contrast crime statistics as they relate to El Cajon. In conclusion, El Cajon ranks below average compared to the rest of the United States.

Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in El Cajon

The chance of being a victim of violent crime in El Cajon is 1 in 214

The chance of being a victim of property crime in El Cajon is 1 in 63

The chance of being a victim of crime in El Cajon is 1 in 49

Are you at risk of becoming a victim of crime in El Cajon, California? If you reside in El Cajon, then there is a 1 in 214 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 63. These types of crime include burglary, petty theft, and theft of motor vehicles. Altogether, there is a 1 in 49 risk that you will become a victim of crime in El Cajon.

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

The year over year crime rate per 100,000 people for El Cajon is an accurate tool for tracking the rise and fall of crime, and in determining if living in El Cajon has become safer or more dangerous. The year over year data displayed in the graph shows that violent crimes have decreased by 8% in El Cajon, while property crimes in El Cajon have decreased by 11%. Total crime has decreased by 11% year over year.

El Cajon police department

Item	El Cajon	California	National
Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)	181	51,506	558,732
Police officers & civilians /1000 residents	1.8	3.6	3.3

There are a total of 181 El Cajon police officers. This results in 1.8 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 50.8% less than the California average and 45.4% less than the National average.

Sex offenders in California

State	Total offenders	California_/100K	National_/100K
California	79,891	232	266

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}
Fairbanks Ranch, CA	2,929	78	368	446
Granite Hills, CA	4,020	111	518	629
Poway, CA	49,780	173	956	1,129
Crest, CA	2,721	203	952	1,155
Santee, CA	57,407	259	900	1,159
Jamul, CA	5,776	254	1,192	1,447
Spring Valley CDP (Lake County), CA	1,154	270	1,265	1,535
El Cajon, CA	103,249	469	1,609	2,078

Cities with similar population

City	Population	Violent crime_{/100k people}	Property crime_{/100k people}	Total crime_{/100k people}
Burbank, CA	103,411	310	2,723	3,033
Las Cruces, NM	102,950	617	5,340	5,957
Rialto, CA	103,549	502	2,903	3,405
Sparks, NV	102,895	417	2,011	2,429
San Mateo, CA	103,619	304	2,349	2,654
El Cajon, CA	103,249	469	1,609	2,078

Source: The El Cajon, 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.