Safest cities in California

Often referred to as the 'Golden State,' California is a land of stunning diversity and vibrant culture. Located on the West Coast, it is the third-largest state in the U.S. by area and the most populous. California's geography ranges from the majestic Sierra Nevada mountains to the fertile Central Valley and the iconic Pacific coastline. The state's economy is one of the largest in the world, driven by industries such as technology, entertainment, agriculture, and tourism. Silicon Valley is the epicenter of global tech innovation, while Hollywood remains the heart of the entertainment industry. California also boasts a rich cultural scene, with numerous museums, theaters, and historic landmarks. Sports enthusiasts can enjoy major league teams in almost every sport, including baseball, basketball, and football.

Low crime rates are crucial for ensuring high livability, making the safest cities in California particularly appealing for residents. Safety enhances community well-being and economic prosperity, providing a secure environment for families, businesses, and visitors. Contributing factors to the safety of California's cities include effective law enforcement, community engagement, and comprehensive public safety programs. The rankings of these cities are based on total crime per 100,000 people, offering a transparent and reliable metric. This emphasis on safety allows Californians to fully appreciate the state's natural beauty, cultural richness, and economic opportunities without the overshadowing concern of crime, making California an attractive place to call home.

Imperial Population: 18,631 453 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 92 Property Crime / 100k: 361 chance of being a victim: 1 in 221

Imperial proudly holds the honor of being the safest city in California. With only 453 crimes per 100,000 people, Imperial has a crime rate that is 78% lower than the California average. This equates to an average of 0.27 crimes per day and a 1 in 221 chance of becoming a victim of a crime. The city's well-funded police department, active neighborhood watch programs, and community engagement initiatives contribute significantly to its low crime rates, making it an ideal place for families and retirees.

Rancho Santa Margarita Population: 48,280 508 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 38 Property Crime / 100k: 469 chance of being a victim: 1 in 197

Known for its tight-knight community and safe environment, Rancho Santa Margarita comes in at #2 on our list of the safest cities in California with a crime rate of 508 crimes per 100,000 people. When you dig deeper into the numbers, this translates to: 55 counts of burglary, 375 counts of theft, 38 counts of vehicle theft, 28 counts of assault, 9 counts of robbery, 2 counts of rape and 0 counts of homicide. The commitment to safety in Rancho Santa Margarita, makes it one of the safest and most livable areas in the state.

Laguna Woods Population: 16,056 545 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 23 Property Crime / 100k: 522 chance of being a victim: 1 in 184

With a population of 16,056 and a total crime rate of 545 per 100,000 residents, Laguna Woods is the 3rd safest city in California. Exhibiting a total crime rate that is 83% lower than the California average, the commitment to safety is evident in its multifaceted crime prevention strategies. The local government collaborates closely with residents through regular community meetings and feedback sessions to address safety concerns. The end result, is an incredibly safe place to live.

Moorpark Population: 36,443 650 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 48 Property Crime / 100k: 602 chance of being a victim: 1 in 154

With many parks and recreational activities readily available, Moorpark is a growing community where residents can enjoy the outdoors. Residents also feel safe, knowing that the overall crime rate per 100,000 people is 650, 64% lower than the California average. This amounts to 0.64 crimes per day and a 1 in 154 chance of becoming a victim of a crime. Strong community partnerships between local businesses, schools, and law enforcement further enhance the city’s security. These combined efforts make Moorpark a highly desirable and safe place to call home.

Orinda Population: 19,461 700 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 57 Property Crime / 100k: 643 chance of being a victim: 1 in 143

Known for its friendly neighborhoods and proactive safety measures, Orinda consistently ranks high in safety. In Orinda, the focus on community policing ensures that officers are integrated into the community, building strong relationships with residents. Crime prevention education, offered through schools and local organizations, empowers residents to take an active role in maintaining their safety. With everything working asynchronously, the total crime rate comes in at 700, which is 81% lower than the state average.

Danville Population: 44,933 710 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 33 Property Crime / 100k: 678 chance of being a victim: 1 in 141

Danville has lots to offer its residents, including safety as it comes in at #6 on our list of the safest cities in California. The total crime rate from the year that it was last reported was 710 crimes per 100,000 people, 57% lower than the California average. Breaking down each category of crime, it comes out to: 100 reports of burglary, 515 reports of theft, 63 reports of vehicle theft, 19 reports of assault, 12 reports of robbery, 2 reports of rape and 0 reports of homicide.

Hughson Population: 7,545 716 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 27 Property Crime / 100k: 689 chance of being a victim: 1 in 140

Hughson ranks as the seventh safest city in California and offers a peaceful retreat with minimal crime. With a 1 in 140 chance of becoming a victim of a crime and 0.15 crimes per day (per 100,000 people), the area has a safety record that speaks for itself. Active involvement from its residents, such as neighborhood patrols and community safety workshops, fosters a strong sense of community and vigilance. Hughson’s commitment to safety makes it one of the safest places in California.

Fairfax Population: 7,629 722 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 147 Property Crime / 100k: 575 chance of being a victim: 1 in 138

Recognized for sprawling open spaces, outdoor recreational opportunities, and a growing economy, Fairfax is the 8th safest city in California. Continuously ranking as one of the safest cities in the state, the crime rate came in at 93% lower than the California average, reporting a total of 722 crimes per 100,000 people. The city places a strong emphasis on public safety through various initiatives that promote collaboration between residents and local authorities. Regular community safety events and lots of outdoor spaces, coupled with an accessible and responsive police force, ensure that residents feel safe and supported.

Aliso Viejo Population: 50,385 767 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 85 Property Crime / 100k: 682 chance of being a victim: 1 in 130

Many safe cities implement comprehensive crime prevention programs that include educational initiatives, youth engagement activities, and public awareness campaigns. Aliso Viejo is a great example of such a city and continually ranks as one of the safest communities in California, based on the annual review of the FBI uniform crime report. Statistically speaking, there were a total of 767 crimes per 100,000 residents, which is 49% lower than the state average.

Clayton Population: 11,585 772 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 138 Property Crime / 100k: 634 chance of being a victim: 1 in 130

Completing the list as the 10th safest city in California, is Clayton. With a low rate of crime that included 83 burglaries, 515 thefts, 37 vehicle thefts, 110 assaults, 18 robberies, 9 rapes and 0 homicides, the overall crime rate was 89% lower than the state average. Cities with engaged citizens and responsive government bodies are more likely to implement effective policies and practices that promote safety and address residents’ concerns.

Full list of the safest cities in California

Rank	Location	Population	Violent Crimes /100k	Property Crimes /100k	Total Crimes /100k
1	Imperial	18,631	92	361	453
2	Rancho Santa Margarita	48,280	38	469	508
3	Laguna Woods	16,056	23	522	545
4	Moorpark	36,443	48	602	650
5	Orinda	19,461	57	643	700
6	Danville	44,933	33	678	710
7	Hughson	7,545	27	689	716
8	Fairfax	7,629	147	575	722
9	Aliso Viejo	50,385	85	682	767
10	Clayton	11,585	138	634	772
11	Avenal	13,033	310	476	786
12	Tiburon	9,167	44	745	789
13	Canyon Lake	11,237	116	676	792
14	Orange Cove	10,120	354	438	792
15	Hillsborough	11,608	47	768	815
16	Saratoga	31,084	41	816	856
17	Pacific Grove	15,471	87	778	866
18	Villa Park	5,883	35	893	928
19	Simi Valley	125,768	95	851	946
20	Hercules	26,090	141	833	975
21	Los Altos Hills	8,496	25	952	977
22	San Ramon	81,344	65	925	991
23	Waterford	8,884	218	773	991
24	Cloverdale	8,854	202	795	996
25	Sierra Madre	10,829	93	909	1,002
26	Ojai	7,613	53	952	1,004
27	Woodlake	7,708	337	688	1,025
28	Newman	11,498	211	820	1,032
29	Winters	7,285	66	969	1,036
30	Soledad	25,667	302	746	1,048
31	Yorba Linda	68,103	53	996	1,050
32	Lincoln	48,150	183	882	1,065
33	Hollister	40,100	306	765	1,071
34	La Habra Heights	5,318	55	1,049	1,104
35	Palos Verdes Estates	13,359	31	1,081	1,112
36	Moraga	16,896	181	937	1,118
37	Fillmore	15,631	90	1,031	1,122
38	Poway	49,780	173	956	1,129
39	Rancho Palos Verdes	41,635	129	1,007	1,136
40	Laguna Niguel	65,048	95	1,045	1,140
41	Santee	57,407	259	900	1,159
42	Thousand Oaks	127,648	58	1,106	1,164
43	West Sacramento	53,574	173	1,001	1,174
44	Lake Forest	84,666	122	1,054	1,176
45	Mill Valley	14,456	64	1,112	1,177
46	Mission Viejo	95,638	91	1,117	1,208
47	Rio Vista	9,407	348	869	1,217
48	Guadalupe	7,654	56	1,170	1,226
49	Atherton	7,060	89	1,149	1,238
50	Santa Clarita	212,519	163	1,091	1,254

Methodology

The AreaVibes list of the safest cities in California is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reporting program (UCR Program) from their most recent release. To compile this list, we used violent crime (assualt, robbery, rape and murder) and property crime data (burglary, theft, vehicle theft) per 100,000 people and only included California cities with a population of 5,000 or more. Displaying crime rates based on a population of 100,000 allows for an equal comparison for each city.

Map of Crime by State

Well Below nat. avg.
Below nat. avg.
Similar to nat. avg.
Above nat. avg.
Well above nat. avg.

The interactive map above is a powerful tool for discovering the safest cities in each state across the USA. By highlighting states with the lowest total crime rates, this map provides valuable insights into the factors contributing to these statistics. It showcases urban centers with thriving economies, regions boasting solid job markets, and areas with low unemployment, all of which correlate with reduced crime rates. By clicking on each state, you can dive deeper into information about their safest cities and explore detailed crime statistics that paint a clearer picture of safety across the nation.