C
20%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
3%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
25%
Property crime NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects the 2022 calendar year and was released from the FBI in September, 2023; this is the most current data available.
StatisticReportedincidents/100k peopleVista/100k peopleCalifornia/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime1,832n/a (estimate)1,8542,8432,324
Murder1n/a1.05.76.3
Rape16n/a16.237.440.0
Robbery81n/a82.0123.566.1
Assault280n/a283.4332.8268.2
Violent crime378n/a (estimate)383500370
Burglary289n/a292.5371.9269.8
Theft852n/a862.31,499.31,401.9
Vehicle theft313n/a316.8471.9282.7
Property crime1,454n/a (estimate)1,4722,3431,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Vista, 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 Vista is 20.2% lower than the national average. Specifically, there were 378 violent crimes reported in Vista, equivalent to 383 per 100,000 residents, which is higher than the national average by 3.5%. Additionally, Vista recorded 1454 property crimes, amounting to 1472 per 100,000 people, lower than the national average by 24.7%.

When it comes to violent crimes per 100,000 people, Vista maintains a rate that is very similar to the national average. With 383 reported violent crimes, it falls in line with the national average of 370. This alignment suggests that Vista shares a similar crime profile with other cities, highlighting its comparable level of safety within the broader urban landscape.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Vista?

AreaVibes has conducted polls asking local residents if they feel safe living in Vista. Based on the results of the surveys (51 responses), 39% of people felt that there was very little crime in Vista and felt safe walking alone at night. While 61% of people felt that it was not a safe place to live and did not feel safe walking alone at night.

Is Vista a Safe Place to Live?

Determining whether Vista 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, Vista has an overall crime rate that is 20% lower than the national average. When we take a look at crime on a daily basis, this translates into 5.02 daily occurrences, comprising 1.04 violent crimes and 3.98 property crimes. Scrutinizing these statistics provides a foundation for a more informed assessment of the suitability of Vista as a potential place to establish residency.

Has Crime in Vista Increased Since Last Year?

Year-over-year crime rates in Vista has increased by 18.4% in the last reported crime report. Comparing crime rates from one year to another offers some insight into whether or not Vista 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 9.6%, while property crime has increased by 20.9%. This analysis equips individuals with crucial information for making informed decisions about living in Vista.

Potential Causes for Crime in Vista

In Vista, the cost of living is 36.71% higher than the national average. A substantial cost of living can burden residents, particularly those with constrained financial means. When individuals contend with steep housing expenses, grocery bills, utility costs, healthcare and essential needs that strain their budgets, they may turn to criminal activities, such as theft or fraud, as a means of financial survival. Conversely, cities characterized by a more affordable cost of living may alleviate economic pressures, which could potentially lead to decreased crime rates.

The impact of law enforcement and community policing efforts plays a crucial role in shaping crime rates in any city. A robust and cooperative bond between law enforcement and the community can serve as a deterrent to criminal activities, enhancing overall safety. In Vista, the ratio of police officers and civilians per 1,000 residents stands at 0, differing from the national average of 3.25. Effective law enforcement hinges not solely on officer numbers but also on the manner in which they interact and collaborate with the community. Building trust and cooperation are central tenets of community policing, amplifying its influence on crime prevention.

The quality of housing and neighborhood conditions can influence crime rates. Neglected or run-down neighborhoods with poorly maintained properties may be more susceptible to criminal activities. In areas with housing affordability challenges, crime can emerge as a prominent issue. Certain individuals and families may find themselves residing in cramped or inadequate housing settings, amplifying stress levels and potentially fostering domestic conflicts and associated criminal incidents. It's worth noting that the median home price in Vista stands at $503,500, a contrast to the national average of $184,700.

Vista crime map



The Vista crime map provides a detailed overview of all crimes in Vista as reported by the local law enforcement agencies. Based on the color coded legend above, the crime map outlines the areas with lower crime compared to the areas with higher crime. The Vista crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the Vista crime map does not always indicate that it is a dangerous area for its residents. Areas on the heat map could be inflated if they are located in high traffic areas like airports, sports centers or large parks. Other areas on the heat map could see increased crime rates if they are located in major tourist areas like the downtown core.
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Compare Vista, CA Crime

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      Crime Quick Facts

      • Vista crime rates are 20% lower than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Vista are 3% higher than the national average
      • In Vista you have a 1 in 54 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Vista is safer than 31% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Vista has increased by 23%

      Vista, CA Crime Quiz

         

        Safest Places to Live in and Around Vista

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        How would you rate the amount of crime in Vista?
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        Do you feel safe walking alone at night in Vista?
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        See all Vista poll results

        Daily Crime In Vista (per 100,000 people)

        The graph above illustrates the number of daily crimes in Vista, CA per 100,000 people. In Vista, the total number of daily crimes is 1.53 times less than the California average and 1.25 times less than the national average. The number of daily violent crimes in Vista is 1.31 times less than the California average and 1.03 times more than the national average. With regards to property crimes, Vista has a daily crime rate that is 1.59 times less than the California average and 1.33 times less than the national average.

        How Safe is Vista (higher is better)

        Compared to the other cities in California and all other cities across the US, is Vista safe? From the gauges displayed above, you will notice that Vista is safer than 54% of other cities in the state of California. In addition, Vista is safer than 31% of cities in the entire United States. To achieve these results, all California and United States cities were analyzed to determine how many locations had a lower crime rate than Vista. By studying this data, it was possible to determine that Vista is below average in safety when compared with other United States cities.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Vista

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Vista is 1 in 262
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Vista is 1 in 68
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Vista is 1 in 54
        Are you worried about becoming a crime victim? In Vista, your chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime is 1 in 262. Types of violent crimes may include assault, robbery, rape, or murder. You also have a 1 in 68 chance of being the victim of a property crime such as vehicle theft, personal property theft, and burglary. Your overall risk of becoming a crime victim in Vista is 1 in 54.

        Year Over Year Crime In Vista (per 100,000 people)

        The year over year change in crime per 100,000 people helps to understand whether crime in Vista, CA is on the rise or declining. The violent crime rate in Vista has increased by 14%, while the property crime rate in Vista has increased by 25% year over year. Summing up the numbers, Vista has increased by 23% with regards to total crimes year over year.

        Vista police department

        Item Vista California National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)n/a51,506558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residentsn/a3.63.3

        Sex offenders in California

        State Total offenders California /100K National /100K
        California79,891232266
        There are a total of 79,891 sex offenders in California. This yields a total of 232 sex offenders in California per 100,000 residents which is 13% less than the national average.

        Nearby Cities With Low Crime Rates

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Fairbanks Ranch, CA2,92978368446
        Rancho Santa Fe, CA2,65778368446
        Hidden Meadows, CA3,675164770934
        Bonsall, CA4,194168789958
        Poway, CA49,7801739561,129
        Pala, CA1,0942151,0061,221
        San Marcos, CA96,2192171,0611,278
        Vista, CA100,6593831,4721,854

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Tuscaloosa, AL100,6336382,8823,520
        San Angelo, TX100,5093372,8233,160
        Vacaville, CA99,9583141,8552,169
        Kenosha, WI99,7673981,0911,488
        Renton, WA101,8713694,6284,997
        Vista, CA100,6593831,4721,854
        Source: The Vista, CA crime data displayed above is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reports for the year of 2022. The crime report encompasses more than 18,000 city and state law enforcement agencies reporting data on property and violent crimes. The uniform crime reports program represents approximately 309 million American residents, which results in 98% coverage of metropolitan statistical areas.