Long Beach, CA Crime Rates

An Overview of Crime Rates in Long Beach, 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 Long Beach crime rate is higher than the national average by 35.4%. Specifically, there were 2455 violent crimes in Long Beach, equivalent to 549 per 100,000 individuals, higher than the national average by 48.3%. Furthermore, Long Beach recorded 11630 property crimes, amounting to 2599 per 100,000 residents, which was higher than the average by 33%.

The surge in vehicle thefts is a concerning trend across the United States, and Long Beach is no exception, experiencing one of the nation's highest vehicle theft rates. Last year, Long Beach reported a total of 3069 vehicle thefts, resulting in 686 stolen vehicles per 100,000 people. This places the city in the lowest 10% tier among all cities, indicating that 90% of cities have less stolen vehicles. The probability of a vehicle being stolen stands at 1 in 146, underscoring the need for heightened vigilance and security measures.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Long Beach?

AreaVibes surveyed 181 local residents in Long Beach to gauge the safety of the area. Based on the results, 29% of people answered that there was very little crime in Long Beach and that they felt very comfortable walking alone at night. Another 71% of people responded that there was far too much crime and they would be hesitant to walk the streets alone at night. Keep in mind that the opinions of residents may vary depending on which area they live in.

Is Long Beach a Safe Place to Live?

To get a feel for the safety of living in Long Beach, it's essential to analyze both the overall crime rate and the daily incident count. Long Beach presents a total crime rate that is 35% higher than the national average per 100,000 residents. Consequently, Long Beach experiences an average of 38.59 daily crimes, comprising 6.73 violent incidents and 31.86 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 Long Beach Increased Since Last Year?

Year-over-year crime rates in Long Beach has decreased by 6.4% in the last reported crime report. Comparing crime rates from one year to another offers some insight into whether or not Long Beach is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live. Crime rates are categorized by violent and property crime. Year-over-year violent crime has increased by 4.8%, while property crime has decreased by 8.5%. This analysis equips individuals with crucial information for making informed decisions about living in Long Beach.

Long Beach Neighborhood Crime Rates

Long Beach is a large urban city with at least 27 distinct neighborhoods. As a result, crime rates will differ dramatically from one neighborhood to the next. Typically, high density neighborhoods that are located close to the city center, experience more crime than neighborhoods on the outskirts of the city. Some of the safest neighborhoods in Long Beach include: City Of Signal Hill, City College Area and The Plaza. Some neighborhoods that have a higher number of reported crime that you might want to avoid include: Downtown, Poly High District and Wilmington.

Potential Causes for Crime in Long Beach

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 Long Beach crime rate. The poverty level in Long Beach is 16.2%, while the national average is 15.1%.

Regions characterized by high population density frequently encompass expansive urban hubs that offer diverse economic prospects. In such areas, income inequality can be exacerbated, creating pockets of poverty alongside affluence. Economic disparities within these regions may correlate with elevated property crimes and, in certain instances, violent crimes. Conversely, areas with low population density numbers generally exhibit reduced Long Beach crime rates. Long Beach registers a population density of 9111.3 people per square mile, in contrast to the national average of 90.6 people per square mile.

High cost of living can lead to economic stress for individuals and families, particularly those with limited financial resources. When people struggle to make ends meet due to high housing costs, healthcare expenses, or other basic necessities, they may be more inclined to engage in criminal activities, such as theft or fraud, as a means of financial survival. On the flipside, cities that have a lower cost of living, could see a reduced crime rate. In Long Beach, the cost of living is 43.21% higher than the national average.

Long Beach crime map