A+
41%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
73%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
35%
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 peopleLafayette/100k peopleCalifornia/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime341n/a (estimate)1,3622,8432,324
Murder0n/a0.05.76.3
Rape1n/a4.037.440.0
Robbery11n/a43.9123.566.1
Assault13n/a51.9332.8268.2
Violent crime25n/a (estimate)100500370
Burglary41n/a163.8371.9269.8
Theft240n/a958.81,499.31,401.9
Vehicle theft35n/a139.8471.9282.7
Property crime316n/a (estimate)1,2622,3431,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Lafayette, 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 Lafayette is 41.4% lower than the national average. Specifically, there were 25 violent crimes reported in Lafayette, equivalent to 100 per 100,000 residents, which is lower than the national average by 73%. Additionally, Lafayette recorded 316 property crimes, amounting to 1262 per 100,000 people, lower than the national average by 35.4%.

Lafayette stands out with one of the lowest violent crime rates in the United States. Reporting only 100 violent crimes per 100,000 people, Lafayette secures its place among the safest cities in the nation, making it an enticing destination for those in search of a new home.

In the latest reported crime year, Lafayette recorded zero homicides. This statistic potentially positions the city as a paragon of security, radiating a profound sense of safety for its residents. A low number of severe violent crimes instills a deep feeling of well-being among its community but also establishes a lofty benchmark for other locales aspiring to foster equally secure environments.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Lafayette?

What do the local residents think about crime in Lafayette? Well, based on a recent survey of 23 people (conducted by AreaVibes), 83% of Lafayette residents said that there was virtually no crime and that they felt safe walking at night. Another 17% of respondents said that there was too much crime in the area and they did not feel safe walking alone at night.

Is Lafayette a Safe Place to Live?

To determine if Lafayette 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. Lafayette has a total crime rate that is 41% lower than the national average per 100,000 residents. This results in a total of 0.93 daily crimes (0.07 violent daily crimes and 0.87 daily property crimes) in Lafayette.

Has Crime in Lafayette Increased Since Last Year?

Examining year-over-year crime data provides insights into short-term trends with regards to the crime activity in Lafayette. This analysis involves comparing crime rates from one year to the next, enabling the identification of patterns and fluctuations in crime. Such information proves invaluable to residents seeking to make well-informed decisions about their choice of residence. In the most recent year, compared to the previous one, total crime in Lafayette has increased by 23.6%. Specifically, violent crime has increased by 66.7%, while property crime has increased by 21.1%. This data empowers individuals with a clearer understanding of the evolving safety landscape in Lafayette.

Potential Causes for Crime in Lafayette

Lafayette has a poverty rate of 3.4, 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.

In Lafayette, the current unemployment rate stands at 2.7%, diverging from the national average of 4.7%. The availability of job opportunities is a pivotal factor influencing unemployment and underemployment rates. Communities where individuals contend with limited employment prospects or a preponderance of low-wage positions may witness elevated rates of joblessness and income inadequacy, which can contribute to heightened crime levels driven by financial insecurity. Conversely, areas characterized by robust employment rates often experience a reduction in overall Lafayette crime rates.

Rising cost of living expenses, including increased housing costs, grocery, utility and healthcare expenditures, can induce financial strain on individuals and families, particularly those with limited financial resources. Such economic stress may propel individuals towards crime, including theft or burglary, as a means of addressing their financial hardships. Conversely, cities characterized by a lower cost of living may alleviate economic pressures, potentially resulting in a reduced crime rate. In Lafayette, the cost of living is 132.99% higher than the national average, reflecting a more affordable economic environment that could contribute to a decrease in crime levels.

Lafayette crime map



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

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      Crime Quick Facts

      • Lafayette crime rates are 41% lower than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Lafayette are 73% lower than the national average
      • In Lafayette you have a 1 in 74 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Lafayette is safer than 68% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Lafayette has increased by 33%

      Lafayette, CA Crime Quiz

         

        Safest Places to Live in and Around Lafayette

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        How would you rate the amount of crime in Lafayette?
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        Do you feel safe walking alone at night in Lafayette?
        Write a review to give others more information about this area.
        See all Lafayette poll results

        Daily Crime In Lafayette (per 100,000 people)

        The graph above illustrates the number of daily crimes in Lafayette, CA per 100,000 people. In Lafayette, the total number of daily crimes is 2.09 times less than the California average and 1.71 times less than the national average. The number of daily violent crimes in Lafayette is 5.00 times less than the California average and 3.70 times less than the national average. With regards to property crimes, Lafayette has a daily crime rate that is 1.86 times less than the California average and 1.55 times less than the national average.

        How Safe is Lafayette (higher is better)

        How safe is Lafayette, California compared to other cities in California and the rest of the cities across the United States? The graphs above show that Lafayette is safer than 89% of the cities in California and 68% of the cities in the United States. These results are calculated by analyzing all cities in California and across the US as a whole and determining how many areas have a lower crime rate than Lafayette. Overall, Lafayette is ranked above average compared to all other cities across the United States.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Lafayette

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Lafayette is 1 in 1002
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Lafayette is 1 in 80
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Lafayette is 1 in 74
        How likely are you to become a victim of crime? In Lafayette, California you have a 1 in 1002 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime. Violent crimes include murder, rape, robbery and assault. With regards to property crime, you have a 1 in 80 chance of becoming a victim. Property crimes include burglary, theft and vehicle theft. Overall, you have a 1 in 74 chance of becoming a victim of crime in Lafayette.

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

        A good indicator of whether Lafayette is becoming a safer or a more dangerous place to live can be determined by analyzing the year over year crime rate (per 100,000 people). The number of violent crimes in Lafayette has increased by 79%, while the property crime rate in Lafayette has increased by 30% year over year. The number of total crimes in Lafayette has increased by 33% year over year.

        Lafayette police department

        Item Lafayette California National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)n/a51,506558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residentsn/a3.63.3

        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
        Acalanes Ridge, CA87570329399
        Castle Hill, CA1,16470329399
        Shell Ridge, CA1,08170329399
        Norris Canyon, CA79070329399
        Reliez Valley, CA3,32195446542
        San Miguel, CA3,25395446542
        Camino Tassajara, CA5,87095446542
        Lafayette, CA25,9491001,2621,362

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Cloverleaf, TX25,9556093,2453,854
        Brawley, CA25,9423562,5402,897
        Chanhassen, MN25,965118826944
        Northport, AL25,9703561,6442,000
        Kiryas Joel, NY25,9105652,2682,833
        Lafayette, CA25,9491001,2621,362
        Source: The Lafayette, 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.