F
23%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
66%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
14%
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 peopleNational City/100k peopleCalifornia/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime1,586n/a (estimate)2,8492,8432,324
Murder7n/a12.65.76.3
Rape21n/a37.737.440.0
Robbery101n/a181.4123.566.1
Assault213n/a382.6332.8268.2
Violent crime342n/a (estimate)614500370
Burglary184n/a330.5371.9269.8
Theft763n/a1,370.41,499.31,401.9
Vehicle theft297n/a533.4471.9282.7
Property crime1,244n/a (estimate)2,2342,3431,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in National City, 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 National City crime rate is higher than the national average by 22.6%. Specifically, there were 342 violent crimes in National City, equivalent to 614 per 100,000 individuals, higher than the national average by 66.1%. Furthermore, National City recorded 1244 property crimes, amounting to 2234 per 100,000 residents, which was higher than the average by 14.3%.

While murder rates in the United States have generally declined since 1990, recent years have seen an unfortunate uptick. National City stands out with one of the nation's highest murder rates among cities reporting crime data. In National City, a total of 7 murders were reported, equating to 13 murders per 100,000 residents. This statistic underscores the challenges facing the area in terms of severe violent crime and the importance of ongoing efforts to enhance safety and security within the community.

National City maintains a property crime rate that closely resembles the national norm. In National City, 2234 property crimes were reported, aligning with the national average of 1954 per 100,000 individuals. Consequently, the area's safety profile stands on par with the average city, neither significantly safer nor more dangerous. This consistency underscores a balanced commitment to community safety and security, providing residents with a stable and reassuring living environment.

Recently, vehicle thefts have seen an upward trend across the United States, and National City ranks among the cities with the highest vehicle theft rates in the country. Last year, there were 297 vehicle thefts, amounting to 533 stolen vehicles per 100,000 residents. This places National City within the worst 10% of all cities, indicating that 90% of cities fare better in terms of vehicle theft rates. The likelihood of your vehicle being stolen stands at 1 in 188.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in National City?

What is the prevailing sentiment among National City residents regarding the state of crime? A comprehensive survey conducted by AreaVibes, involving 48 respondents, sheds light on this matter. The results were as follows: 31% of National City residents expressed a notable sense of security, asserting that crime was virtually non-existent in their community, and they felt at ease strolling the streets after dark. While, 69% of those surveyed held a contrasting viewpoint, perceiving a higher incidence of crime, leading them to feel apprehensive about walking alone at night.

Is National City a Safe Place to Live?

To get a feel for the safety of living in National City, it's essential to analyze both the overall crime rate and the daily incident count. National City presents a total crime rate that is 23% higher than the national average per 100,000 residents. Consequently, National City experiences an average of 4.35 daily crimes, comprising 0.94 violent incidents and 3.41 property-related offenses. This evaluation offers a comprehensive understanding of the safety landscape, aiding individuals in making informed decisions when considering relocation.

Has Crime in National City 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 National City 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 National City has decreased by 6.3% year over year. Violent crime has decreased by 14.9% and property crime has decreased by 3.6%.

Potential Causes for Crime in National City

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 National City crime rate. The poverty level in National City is 16.1%, while the national average is 15.1%.

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 National City, the ratio of police officers and civilians per 1,000 residents stands at 1.84, 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 National City, the median home price stands at $428,800, diverging from the national average of $184,700. Elevated housing costs often induce financial strain among residents. When individuals grapple with the challenges of affording housing, they may find themselves compelled to resort to criminal activities as a means of addressing their financial hardships, including acts like theft or fraud. This predicament is particularly pronounced in areas where housing affordability poses a persistent issue, giving rise to heightened concerns regarding crime. In such instances, some individuals and families may find themselves constrained to reside in cramped or subpar housing conditions, exacerbating stress levels and potentially fostering domestic disputes and associated criminal incidents.

National City crime map



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

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      Crime Quick Facts

      • National City crime rates are 23% higher than the national average
      • Violent crimes in National City are 66% higher than the national average
      • In National City you have a 1 in 36 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • National City is safer than 14% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in National City has increased by 3%

      National City, CA Crime Quiz

         

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        Daily Crime In National City (per 100,000 people)

        The graph above illustrates the number of daily crimes in National City, CA per 100,000 people. In National City, the total number of daily crimes is 1.00 times more than the California average and 1.23 times more than the national average. The number of daily violent crimes in National City is 1.23 times more than the California average and 1.66 times more than the national average. With regards to property crimes, National City has a daily crime rate that is 1.05 times less than the California average and 1.14 times more than the national average.

        How Safe is National City (higher is better)

        Are people any safer living in National City in comparison to other California communities and all other areas throughout the United States? When we look at all cities across America, is National City safe? The evidence provided by these graphs show National City being safer than 19% of cities in California and 14% 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 National City. In conclusion, National City ranks below average compared to the rest of the United States.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in National City

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in National City is 1 in 163
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in National City is 1 in 45
        The chance of being a victim of crime in National City is 1 in 36
        How likely are you to become a victim of crime? In National City, California you have a 1 in 163 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 45 chance of becoming a victim. Property crimes include burglary, theft and vehicle theft. Overall, you have a 1 in 36 chance of becoming a victim of crime in National City.

        Year Over Year Crime In National City (per 100,000 people)

        An ideal indicator of whether National City 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 National City has decreased by 7% and the rate of property crime in National City has increased by 6%. The total crime rate in National City has increased by 3% year to year.

        National City police department

        Item National City California National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)11051,506558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents1.83.63.3
        There are a total of 110 National City police officers. This results in 1.8 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 49.2% less than the California average and 43.5% less than the National average.

        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
        Granite Hills, CA4,020111518629
        Crest, CA2,7212039521,155
        Santee, CA57,4072599001,159
        Jamul, CA5,7762541,1921,447
        Imperial Beach, CA27,3343971,0571,454
        Spring Valley CDP (Lake County), CA1,1542701,2651,535
        Chula Vista, CA268,7793511,2771,628
        National City, CA61,3426142,2342,849

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Reston, VA61,418108780888
        Spring, TX61,5145452,9023,447
        Taylor, MI61,1646241,8242,447
        Burnsville, MN61,5362792,4732,752
        Moore, OK61,6832402,0452,285
        National City, CA61,3426142,2342,849
        Source: The National City, 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.