F
102%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
56%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
110%
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 peopleMalibu/100k peopleCalifornia/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime479n/a (estimate)4,6842,8432,324
Murder0n/a0.05.76.3
Rape10n/a97.837.440.0
Robbery9n/a88.0123.566.1
Assault40n/a391.2332.8268.2
Violent crime59n/a (estimate)577500370
Burglary78n/a762.8371.9269.8
Theft317n/a3,099.91,499.31,401.9
Vehicle theft25n/a244.5471.9282.7
Property crime420n/a (estimate)4,1072,3431,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Malibu, 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 Malibu is 101.5% higher than the national average. Specifically, there were 59 violent crimes reported in Malibu, equivalent to 577 per 100,000 residents, which is higher than the national average by 56%. Additionally, Malibu recorded 420 property crimes, amounting to 4107 per 100,000 people, higher than the national average by 110.2%.

With a total of 4684 crimes per 100,000 people, the Malibu crime rates stand at 101.54 higher than the national average. Consequently, the area grapples with one of the nation's highest total crime rates. Addressing this challenge is crucial for enhancing the safety and livability in Malibu, making it a priority to reduce crime through community engagement, effective law enforcement, and collaborative efforts to secure a better future for residents and prospective residents.

In the most recently reported crime year, Malibu registered zero reported homicides. This statistic not only designates the area as an exemplar of security but also emanates a profound sense of safety within its community. A minimal incidence of severe violent crime not only fosters a strong sense of well-being among residents but also sets a commendable standard for other regions aiming to cultivate similarly safe surroundings.

Malibu reports one of the nation's highest property crime rates, with 4107 incidents per 100,000 people, positioning it among the worst 10% of American cities reporting crime. This unfortunate statistic translates to a 1 in 25 chance of falling victim to property crime in Malibu, significantly surpassing the national average. These figures underscore the city's challenges in combating property-related offenses, necessitating a concerted effort to enhance security and community safety.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Malibu?

AreaVibes has conducted polls asking local residents if they feel safe living in Malibu. Based on the results of the surveys (32 responses), 75% of people felt that there was very little crime in Malibu and felt safe walking alone at night. While 25% of people felt that it was not a safe place to live and did not feel safe walking alone at night.

Is Malibu a Safe Place to Live?

Is Malibu 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, Malibu has a crime rate that is higher than the national average by 102%. Breaking this down on a daily basis, it translates to 1.31 daily incidents, encompassing 0.16 violent crimes and 1.15 property crimes. Evaluating these statistics can aid in forming a more informed perspective on the safety of Malibu as a potential place to call home.

Has Crime in Malibu Increased Since Last Year?

Year-over-year crime data allows us to analyze short-term trends in crime activity. By comparing crime rates from one year to the next, we can identify patterns and shifts in Malibu crime rates. This information can be invaluable for residents looking to make informed decisions on where to live. When comparing the most recent year to the previous year, total crime in Malibu has increased by 21.3% year over year. Violent crime has increased by 47.5% and property crime has increased by 18.3%.

Potential Causes for Crime in Malibu

Limited employment opportunities or a prevalence of low-wage jobs can result in higher rates of unemployment and underemployment. Regions where individuals grapple with joblessness or meager wages may exhibit greater vulnerability to an uptick in crime due to financial instability. While areas that have strong employment rates, often will see a reduction in overall crime. Malibu, for instance, reports an unemployment rate of 2.5%, which differs from the national average of 4.7%.

Malibu has a population density of 618.7 people per square mile, while with the national average is 90.6 people per square mile. Cities characterized by high population density are frequently larger urban centers offering diverse economic prospects. Within these areas, income inequality may be accentuated, resulting in the coexistence of poverty and affluence. Such economic disparities can contribute to elevated property crimes and on occasion, violent crimes. Conversely, areas with low population density generally record lower Malibu crime rates.

In Malibu, the cost of living is 211.66% higher than the national average. A high cost of living can induce economic stress for locals, especially those with limited financial resources. When people grapple with soaring housing expenses, utility bills, healthcare costs, and other essential necessities, they may be driven towards criminal activities, including theft or fraud, as a means of financial survival. Conversely, cities boasting a lower cost of living may mitigate economic pressures and potentially result in reduced crime rates.

Malibu crime map



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

  • Malibu crime rates are 102% higher than the national average
  • Violent crimes in Malibu are 56% higher than the national average
  • In Malibu you have a 1 in 22 chance of becoming a victim of crime
  • Malibu is safer than 9% of the cities in the United States
  • Year over year crime in Malibu has increased by 39%

Malibu, CA Crime Quiz

     

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        Daily Crime In Malibu (per 100,000 people)

        The graph above illustrates the number of daily crimes in Malibu, CA per 100,000 people. In Malibu, the total number of daily crimes is 1.65 times more than the California average and 2.02 times more than the national average. The number of daily violent crimes in Malibu is 1.16 times more than the California average and 1.56 times more than the national average. With regards to property crimes, Malibu has a daily crime rate that is 1.75 times more than the California average and 2.10 times more than the national average.

        How Safe is Malibu (higher is better)

        Are people any safer living in Malibu in comparison to other California communities and all other areas throughout the United States? When we look at all cities across America, is Malibu safe? The evidence provided by these graphs show Malibu being safer than 13% of cities in California and 9% 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 Malibu. In conclusion, Malibu ranks above average compared to the rest of the United States.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Malibu

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Malibu is 1 in 174
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Malibu is 1 in 25
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Malibu is 1 in 22
        Interested in knowing the odds that you will be a crime victim in Malibu? In Malibu, you have a 1 in 174 chance of falling victim to a violent crime, such as rape, robbery, assault, or even murder. In terms of property crime, your chances of being a victim are 1 in 25. These crimes include theft, vehicle theft, and burglary. Your overall chance of being a victim of crime in Malibu, CA is 1 in 22.

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

        An ideal indicator of whether Malibu is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live can be done by analyzing the year over year crime rates per 100,000 people. Year over year violent crime in Malibu has increased by 69% and the rate of property crime in Malibu has increased by 36%. The total crime rate in Malibu has increased by 39% year to year.

        Malibu police department

        Item Malibu 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
        Lake Sherwood, CA1,69770329399
        Bell Canyon, CA1,99178368446
        Santa Rosa Valley, CA2,72195446542
        Hidden Hills, CA2,21860536595
        Topanga, CA8,098175822998
        Oak Park, CA13,9871908931,083
        Thousand Oaks, CA127,648581,1061,164
        Malibu, CA12,2805774,1074,684

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Waconia, MN12,2812121,4871,700
        Leon Valley, TX12,2795616,4206,981
        Beatrice, NE12,2822711,0031,274
        Viera East, FL12,2841811,0951,277
        Santaquin, UT12,27638333371
        Malibu, CA12,2805774,1074,684
        Source: The Malibu, 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.