A+
39%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
72%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
33%
Property crime NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: This data reflects the 2024 calendar year and was released from the FBI in September, 2025; this is the most current data available.
StatisticReportedincidents/100k peopleMission Viejo/100k peopleCalifornia/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime1,153n/a (estimate)1,2852,5642,119
Murder0n/a0.04.55.0
Rape4n/a4.536.637.5
Robbery29n/a32.3119.160.6
Assault56n/a62.4325.8256.1
Violent crime89n/a (estimate)99486359
Burglary97n/a108.1305.8229.2
Theft877n/a977.71,345.21,272.1
Vehicle theft90n/a100.3427.5258.8
Property crime1,064n/a (estimate)1,1862,0781,760

Mission Viejo crime map

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The Mission Viejo crime map by CrimeoMeter provides a detailed overview of all crimes in Mission Viejo 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 Mission Viejo crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the Mission Viejo 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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An Overview of Crime Rates in Mission Viejo, CA

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 Mission Viejo crime rate is lower than the national average by 39.3%. Specifically, there were 89 violent crimes in Mission Viejo, equivalent to 99 per 100,000 individuals, lower than the national average by 72.4%. Furthermore, Mission Viejo recorded 1064 property crimes, amounting to 1186 per 100,000 residents, which was lower than the average by 32.6%.

Mission Viejo has one of the lowest violent crime rates of all cities in the United States. With a rate of 99 violent crimes per 100,000 people, Mission Viejo ranks among the safest cities in the United States making it an attractive choice for those seeking a new place to call home.

In the latest reported crime year, Mission Viejo 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 Mission Viejo?

What do the local residents think about crime in Mission Viejo? Well, based on a recent survey of 30 people (conducted by AreaVibes), 87% of Mission Viejo residents said that there was virtually no crime and that they felt safe walking at night. Another 13% of respondents said that there was too much crime in the area and they did not feel safe walking alone at night.

Is Mission Viejo a Safe Place to Live?

To determine if Mission Viejo 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. Mission Viejo has a total crime rate that is 39% lower than the national average per 100,000 residents. This results in a total of 3.16 daily crimes (0.24 violent daily crimes and 2.92 daily property crimes) in Mission Viejo.

Has Crime in Mission Viejo Increased Since Last Year?

Year-over-year crime rates in Mission Viejo has increased by 24.8% in the last reported crime report. Comparing crime rates from one year to another offers some insight into whether or not Mission Viejo 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 25.4%, while property crime has increased by 24.7%. This analysis equips individuals with crucial information for making informed decisions about living in Mission Viejo.

Potential Causes for Crime in Mission Viejo

Highly populated regions typically encompass expansive urban hubs teeming with diverse economic prospects. Within these areas, income inequality can be exacerbated, giving rise to enclaves of poverty amid affluence. Communities marked by economic disparities may contend with heightened property crimes, and in certain instances, violent crimes. Conversely, regions characterized by low population density often exhibit lower Mission Viejo crime rates. For instance, in Mission Viejo, the population density stands at 5581.6 people per square mile, diverging from the national average of 90.6 people per square mile.

Escalating cost of living expenses, encompassing exorbitant housing costs, grocery and healthcare expenditures, can induce financial strain on individuals and families, particularly those with limited financial resources. Such economic stress may propel individuals towards criminal activities, 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 Mission Viejo, the cost of living is 91.15% higher than the national average, reflecting a more affordable economic environment that could contribute to a decrease in crime levels.

Elevated rental costs can generate economic strain for both individuals and families, particularly those with restricted financial means. When a substantial proportion of one's income is allocated to housing costs, it often leaves limited resources for fulfilling other crucial necessities such as groceries, healthcare and education. This financial pressure can fuel desperation, potentially prompting individuals to resort to criminal actions, including theft or fraud, as a means of coping with their financial hardships. In Mission Viejo, the average monthly rent stands at $3,516, while the national average is $1,444 per month.

Compare Mission Viejo, CA Crime

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      Crime Quick Facts

      • Mission Viejo crime rates are 39% lower than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Mission Viejo are 72% lower than the national average
      • In Mission Viejo you have a 1 in 78 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Mission Viejo is safer than 62% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Mission Viejo has decreased by 8%

      Mission Viejo, CA Crime Quiz

         

        Safest Places to Live in and Around Mission Viejo

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        Daily Crime In Mission Viejo (per 100,000 people)

        The bar chart above reveals the rate of daily crimes in Mission Viejo for every 100,000 residents. The Mission Viejo total amount of daily crime is 2.00 times less than the California average and 1.65 times less than than that of the nation. As for violent crimes, the daily average in Mission Viejo, is 4.90 times less than the California average, and it is 3.62 times less than the national average. The statistics for property crimes show that Mission Viejo has a daily crime average that is 1.75 times less than the California average and 1.48 times less than the daily national rate.

        How Safe is Mission Viejo (higher is better)

        Compared to the other cities in California and all other cities across the US, is Mission Viejo safe? From the gauges displayed above, you will notice that Mission Viejo is safer than 89% of other cities in the state of California. In addition, Mission Viejo is safer than 62% of cities in the entire United States. To achieve these results, all California and United States cities were analyzed to determine how many locations had a lower crime rate than Mission Viejo. By studying this data, it was possible to determine that Mission Viejo is above average in safety when compared with other United States cities.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Mission Viejo

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Mission Viejo is 1 in 1008
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Mission Viejo is 1 in 85
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Mission Viejo is 1 in 78
        How likely are you to become a victim of crime? In Mission Viejo, California you have a 1 in 1008 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 85 chance of becoming a victim. Property crimes include burglary, theft and vehicle theft. Overall, you have a 1 in 78 chance of becoming a victim of crime in Mission Viejo.

        Year Over Year Crime In Mission Viejo (per 100,000 people)

        The year over year change in crime per 100,000 people helps to understand whether crime in Mission Viejo, CA is on the rise or declining. The violent crime rate in Mission Viejo has decreased by 30%, while the property crime rate in Mission Viejo has decreased by 5% year over year. Summing up the numbers, Mission Viejo has decreased by 8% with regards to total crimes year over year.

        Mission Viejo police department

        Item Mission Viejo 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
        Rancho Santa Margarita, CA49,88981524605
        Villa Park, CA6,03936713749
        Las Flores, CA5,257158676834
        Laguna Woods, CA16,65660893953
        Lake Forest, CA86,858146830975
        Aliso Viejo, CA51,8701358681,003
        Laguna Niguel, CA67,6311279041,031
        Mission Viejo, CA98,783991,1861,285

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Compton, CA98,7311,2723,1454,417
        Brockton, MA98,7145991,3461,945
        Albany, NY99,0128172,8483,665
        Hesperia, CA98,4195201,4261,945
        Bend, OR99,1741681,3621,530
        Mission Viejo, CA98,783991,1861,285
        Source: The Mission Viejo, CA crime data displayed above is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reports for the year of 2024. 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.