Laguna Hills, CA Crime Rates

An Overview of Crime Rates in Laguna Hills, CA

Crime can be categorized into two primary types: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes encompass offenses such as murder, rape, robbery, and assault, whereas property crimes involve acts like burglary, theft, and vehicle theft. The overall crime rate in Laguna Hills is 32.8% lower than the national average. Specifically, there were 58 violent crimes reported in Laguna Hills, equivalent to 189 per 100,000 residents, which is lower than the national average by 48.8%. Additionally, Laguna Hills recorded 420 property crimes, amounting to 1372 per 100,000 people, lower than the national average by 29.8%.

Laguna Hills showcased a dedication to violent crime safety in its latest reported crime year by achieving a murder rate of 0. This accomplishment could indicate that it is a safe place for residents, but also provides a shining example to other urban areas endeavoring to create safer communities.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Laguna Hills?

AreaVibes conducted surveys inquiring about the safety perception of Laguna Hills residents. Out of the respondents (9 in total), 78% expressed a strong sense of security, believing that crime rates in Laguna Hills were low, and they felt comfortable walking alone at night. Conversely, 22% held a contrasting viewpoint, expressing concerns about safety in the area and feeling uncomfortable walking alone during the nighttime hours.

Is Laguna Hills a Safe Place to Live?

Is Laguna Hills a safe place to live? While the answer may not be straightforward due to variations in safety levels across the city, gaining an understanding of the overall crime rate can prove to be advantageous. In general, Laguna Hills has a crime rate that is lower than the national average by 33%. Breaking this down on a daily basis, it translates to 1.31 daily incidents, encompassing 0.16 violent crimes and 1.15 property crimes. Evaluating these statistics can aid in forming a more informed perspective on the safety of Laguna Hills as a potential place to call home.

Has Crime in Laguna Hills 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 Laguna Hills 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 Laguna Hills has increased by 0.4% year over year. Violent crime has increased by 1.8% and property crime has increased by 0.2%.

Potential Causes for Crime in Laguna Hills

Laguna Hills has a poverty rate that stands at 8.5, in contrast to the national average of 15.1. Historically, a direct correlation has been observed between poverty rates and crime stats. Higher poverty rates have led to higher crime rates, while lower poverty rates have led to a reduction in Laguna Hills crime rates. Income disparities and heightened poverty levels can serve as catalysts for elevated or reduced criminal activity, as individuals may or may not turn to illicit means to fulfill their basic needs. This could be one of many factors that may influence crime.

If employment opportunities are limited or if many jobs offer low wages, it can lead to higher rates of unemployment and underemployment, which could lead to an increase in Laguna Hills crime rates. Areas where individuals struggle with unemployment or low wages, may be more susceptible to an increase in criminal activities as a result of financial insecurity. While lower rates of unemployment or a surplus of job opportunities could lead to a decrease in crime as their basic needs are being met. Laguna Hills has an unemployment rate of 3.1%, compared to a national average of 4.7%.

High population density areas are often large urban centers with diverse economic opportunities. These areas can exacerbate income inequality, with pockets of poverty existing alongside affluence. Areas with economic disparities may experience higher property crimes and, in some cases, violent crimes. On the other hand, areas with low population density tend to see lower Laguna Hills crime rates. The population density in Laguna Hills is 4827.5 people per square mile, while the national average is 90.6 people per square mile.

Laguna Hills crime map