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: 18,631 434 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 162 Property Crime / 100k: 272 chance of being a victim: 1 in 230

Imperial proudly holds the honor of being the safest city in California. With only 434 crimes per 100,000 people, Imperial has a crime rate that is 78% lower than the California average. This equates to an average of 0.26 crimes per day and a 1 in 230 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: 48,280 481 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 48 Property Crime / 100k: 433 chance of being a victim: 1 in 208

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 481 crimes per 100,000 people. When you dig deeper into the numbers, this translates to: 74 counts of burglary, 340 counts of theft, 19 counts of vehicle theft, 39 counts of assault, 9 counts of robbery, 0 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.

Hughson Population: 7,545 573 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 38 Property Crime / 100k: 535 chance of being a victim: 1 in 175

With a population of 7,545 and a total crime rate of 573 per 100,000 residents, Hughson is the 3rd safest city in California. Exhibiting a total crime rate that is 92% 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.

Laguna Woods Population: 16,056 595 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 53 Property Crime / 100k: 542 chance of being a victim: 1 in 168

With many parks and recreational activities readily available, Laguna Woods 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 595, 83% lower than the California average. This amounts to 0.28 crimes per day and a 1 in 168 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 Laguna Woods a highly desirable and safe place to call home.

Ione Population: 7,861 641 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 128 Property Crime / 100k: 513 chance of being a victim: 1 in 156

Known for its friendly neighborhoods and proactive safety measures, Ione consistently ranks high in safety. In Ione, 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 641, which is 95% lower than the state average.

Fillmore Population: 15,631 655 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 167 Property Crime / 100k: 489 chance of being a victim: 1 in 153

Fillmore 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 655 crimes per 100,000 people, 83% lower than the California average. Breaking down each category of crime, it comes out to: 36 reports of burglary, 369 reports of theft, 83 reports of vehicle theft, 119 reports of assault, 36 reports of robbery, 12 reports of rape and 0 reports of homicide.

Saratoga Population: 31,084 677 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 61 Property Crime / 100k: 616 chance of being a victim: 1 in 148

Saratoga ranks as the seventh safest city in California and offers a peaceful retreat with minimal crime. With a 1 in 148 chance of becoming a victim of a crime and 0.55 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. Saratoga’s commitment to safety makes it one of the safest places in California.

Clayton Population: 11,585 693 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 83 Property Crime / 100k: 610 chance of being a victim: 1 in 144

Recognized for sprawling open spaces, outdoor recreational opportunities, and a growing economy, Clayton is the 8th safest city in California. Continuously ranking as one of the safest cities in the state, the crime rate came in at 89% lower than the California average, reporting a total of 693 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.

Winters Population: 7,285 696 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 77 Property Crime / 100k: 619 chance of being a victim: 1 in 144

Many safe cities implement comprehensive crime prevention programs that include educational initiatives, youth engagement activities, and public awareness campaigns. Winters 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 696 crimes per 100,000 residents, which is 92% lower than the state average.

Newman Population: 11,498 737 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 303 Property Crime / 100k: 434 chance of being a victim: 1 in 136

Completing the list as the 10th safest city in California, is Newman. With a low rate of crime that included 49 burglaries, 254 thefts, 131 vehicle thefts, 229 assaults, 33 robberies, 41 rapes and 0 homicides, the overall crime rate was 88% 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	162	272	434
2	Rancho Santa Margarita	48,280	48	433	481
3	Hughson	7,545	38	535	573
4	Laguna Woods	16,056	53	542	595
5	Ione	7,861	128	513	641
6	Fillmore	15,631	167	489	655
7	Saratoga	31,084	61	616	677
8	Clayton	11,585	83	610	693
9	Winters	7,285	77	619	696
10	Newman	11,498	303	434	737
11	Moorpark	36,443	74	680	754
12	Villa Park	5,883	35	739	774
13	Tiburon	9,167	57	724	780
14	Danville	44,933	80	716	796
15	Soledad	25,667	280	518	798
16	Orange Cove	10,120	201	613	813
17	Hercules	26,090	209	607	815
18	Aliso Viejo	50,385	112	710	822
19	Lincoln	48,150	143	691	834
20	Mill Valley	14,456	50	798	849
21	Canyon Lake	11,237	98	752	850
22	Orinda	19,461	88	763	851
23	Gonzales	8,348	228	635	863
24	Windsor	27,635	180	721	901
25	Hillsborough	11,608	158	753	911
26	Calexico	39,841	108	819	926
27	Guadalupe	7,654	134	806	940
28	Pacific Grove	15,471	164	778	942
29	Sierra Madre	10,829	226	717	943
30	Solvang	5,644	84	861	946
31	Moraga	16,896	120	836	956
32	Rancho Palos Verdes	41,635	118	848	966
33	Firebaugh	7,772	128	850	978
34	Holtville	6,129	238	750	987
35	Poway	49,780	168	830	997
36	Avenal	13,033	495	503	998
37	Ojai	7,613	120	880	1,000
38	San Marcos	96,219	214	795	1,009
39	La Habra Heights	5,318	56	973	1,029
40	Fairfax	7,629	163	872	1,035
41	Rio Vista	9,407	323	723	1,046
42	Los Altos Hills	8,496	87	961	1,048
43	Waterford	8,884	180	880	1,060
44	Cloverdale	8,854	264	803	1,067
45	San Ramon	81,344	141	939	1,080
46	Laguna Niguel	65,048	104	984	1,088
47	Simi Valley	125,768	122	970	1,091
48	Dana Point	33,782	124	973	1,097
49	St. Helena	6,049	216	885	1,101
50	Lake Forest	84,666	132	982	1,114

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

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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.