| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Whittier/100k people | California/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 2,384 | n/a (estimate) | 2,866 | 2,564 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 5 | n/a | 6.0 | 4.5 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 24 | n/a | 28.9 | 36.6 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 119 | n/a | 143.1 | 119.1 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 260 | n/a | 312.6 | 325.8 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 408 | n/a (estimate) | 490 | 486 | 359 |
| Burglary | 284 | n/a | 341.4 | 305.8 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 1,336 | n/a | 1,606.0 | 1,345.2 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 356 | n/a | 428.0 | 427.5 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 1,976 | n/a (estimate) | 2,375 | 2,078 | 1,760 |
The Whittier crime rates are 35.2% higher than the national average. There are two main categories of crime - violent crime and property crime. Violent crime consists of murder, rape, robbery and assault, while property crimes include burglary, theft and vehicle theft. There were a total of 408 violent crimes in Whittier (490 per 100,000 people), which is 36.6% higher than the national average and there were a total of 1976 property crimes (2375 per 100,000 residents) which is 35% higher than average.
With a total of 356 vehicle thefts last year, Whittier has one of the most stolen cars in the country at 428 per 100,000 people. This lands Whittier in the bottom 10% of all cities that reported crime and the chance of any vehicle being stolen is one in 234.
What do the local residents think about crime in Whittier? Well, based on a recent survey of 47 people (conducted by AreaVibes), 51% of Whittier residents said that there was virtually no crime and that they felt safe walking at night. Another 49% of respondents said that there was too much crime in the area and they did not feel safe walking alone at night.
Determining whether Whittier 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, Whittier has an overall crime rate that is 35% higher than the national average. When we take a look at crime on a daily basis, this translates into 6.53 daily occurrences, comprising 1.12 violent crimes and 5.41 property crimes. Scrutinizing these statistics provides a foundation for a more informed assessment of the suitability of Whittier as a potential place to establish residency.
Examining year-over-year crime data provides insights into short-term trends with regards to the crime activity in Whittier. 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 Whittier has increased by 27.4%. Specifically, violent crime has increased by 72.2%, while property crime has increased by 20.9%. This data empowers individuals with a clearer understanding of the evolving safety landscape in Whittier.
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 Whittier, the cost of living is 65.91% higher than the national average, reflecting a more affordable economic environment that could contribute to a decrease in crime levels.
In Whittier, the median home price stands at $1,085,298, diverging from the national average of $326,622. 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.
High rent costs can create economic stress for individuals and families, particularly those with limited financial resources. When a significant portion of one's income is spent on housing, there may be less money available for other essential needs such as food, healthcare and education. Economic stress can contribute to desperation and potentially lead individuals to engage in criminal activities, such as theft or fraud, as a means of financial survival. Average rent rates in Whittier are $2,159, compared to a national average of $1,444 per month.
| Item | Whittier | California | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 171 | 51,506 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 2.0 | 3.6 | 3.3 |
| State | Total offenders | California /100K | National /100K |
| California | 79,891 | 232 | 266 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| San Pasqual, CA | 2,113 | 76 | 326 | 402 |
| Rose Hills, CA | 2,699 | 87 | 371 | 458 |
| North El Monte, CA | 3,790 | 121 | 518 | 639 |
| Villa Park, CA | 6,039 | 36 | 713 | 749 |
| Sierra Madre, CA | 11,099 | 209 | 597 | 806 |
| East Pasadena, CA | 6,198 | 158 | 676 | 834 |
| La Habra Heights, CA | 5,470 | 171 | 683 | 853 |
| Whittier, CA | 86,613 | 490 | 2,375 | 2,866 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Santa Fe, NM | 86,648 | 842 | 5,157 | 5,999 |
| Trenton, NJ | 86,528 | 1,026 | 2,289 | 3,314 |
| Merced, CA | 86,383 | 785 | 2,793 | 3,577 |
| New Braunfels, TX | 86,374 | 156 | 1,284 | 1,440 |
| Lake Forest, CA | 86,858 | 146 | 830 | 975 |
| Whittier, CA | 86,613 | 490 | 2,375 | 2,866 |
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