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Safest Cities in California
The Top 50 Safest Cities in California
Safest Cities in California
Table of Contents
- Safest Towns and Cities in California – Overall
- Safest Cities in California – Population 50K+
- Methodology
- Most Dangerous Places In California
- Personal Safety Tips
- Home Security Tips
- Child Safety Tips
- Summary
The Safest Places to Live in California
If you’re looking for a list of some of the safest towns and cities to live in the state of California, you’ve come to the right place. By now you have probably come to the realization that there are many lists of the safest places to live available online. While they are often fairly similar, each may be based on slightly different criteria citing “sophisticated proprietary logarithms” developed to analyze annual crime rates and statistics supplied from FBI data.
For the most part, they will all be referencing the violent crime rate and property crime rate of similar-sized population communities in the state. Some sites might also compare these figures with the national average.
At the end of the day, these are a good general guideline for those who may be looking to relocate to these areas…and perhaps find a more secure area for themselves and their families. Keep in mind that many communities do not report these statistics…so they do not make these lists. Additionally, sometimes statistical anomalies may exist for any given year that might impact ratings for an overall safe community.
It is also important to note that the safety of a city can vary considerably from one neighborhood to the next.
Consequently, at The Home Security Advisor, we recommend that you reach out to local police departments, town management personnel, and even real estate agents to get a full picture of the neighborhood.
When it comes right down to it, the safest towns, cities, and neighborhoods are those in which the residents take personal responsibility for their own safety and security. For this reason, we have included sections below on how you can keep you and your family safer…no matter where you happen to live.
California’s Safest Cities
California conjures images of surfing and sunny beaches on the Pacific, Hollywood, Silicon Valley and the world class wineries of Napa Valley. And while it certainly has it’s areas of crime hotbeds, California is also home to some of the safest communities in the country.
The average state crime ratings are:
California State Average Violent Crimes
(per 100,000 residents)
California State Average Property Crimes
(per 100,000 residents)
However, California is home to a number of communities with outstanding reputations for low crime rates which are well below these numbers.
The most populated state in the U.S., California is home to almost 40 million residents. With dense urban populations in the Los Angeles and San Francisco Bay areas, one is not surprised that the violent crime rate in California is in the upper 25% of the US.
However, half of our 10 safest neighborhoods in California experienced 10 or less violent crimes in 2018.
In a state with a $2.75 trillion dollar economy, California can support a substantial upper middle-class population that can enjoy a very comfortable to even lavish lifestyle. The state has much to offer from sunny beaches, Disneyland, The Golden Gate Bridge, and Hollywood…to the Big City life of LA….to the vineyards of Napa Valley- California seems to have it all.
But, where there is abundance, there is often crime. And while the numbers are not so attractive in some of the major urban areas, the property crime rate in California is fairly middle of the road. Imperial, Moraga, Los Altos Hills, Guadalupe and Ione all reported 100 or fewer property crimes.
If you are looking to relocate and make a home for you and your family in The Golden State, this list of California’s safest cities is a good place to start.
Following are the top cities with populations above 5,000 which have been recognized as the safest communities in California.
What are the Top 10 Safest Cities in California?
1. Imperial
2. Soledad
3. Moraga
4. Orinda
5. Los Altos Hills
6. Laguna Woods
7. Guadalupe
8. Ione
9. Rancho Santa Margarita
10. Danville
Safest Cities in California Video Summary
List of California’s Safest Cities
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA
Population
48,918
Violent Crimes
46
Property Crimes
316
Fun Features and Facts About California's Safest Cities
A Bit More About California’s Safest Cities
While safety is an important consideration, a community is more than just low violent crime rates and property crime rates. Click below and get a few tidbits of information on some of California’s safest places to live.
Imperial
Imperial is a part of Imperial County and it has a population of 14758 people. It’s a part of the El Centro metropolitan area and it’s been steadily growing in the past few years. The townsite was plotted in 1902, and it was a place for homes and businesses as well. The city itself is known for being very safe and it’s also home to the Mid-Winter fair and the Imperial market days.
Soledad
Soledad is one of the safest cities in California, with an extremely low crime rate. It also has a rich history too. The area was first inhabited by the Chalon Tribe of the Ohlone Nation. However, artist Esteban Munras came to the region during the 1820s and he had a ranch in this location. Over the years, a fort was founded here as well, and it was a hot spring resort for travelers too.
Moraga
Moraga’s main appeal is the incredible architectural design and very low crime rate. Additionally, there is a multitude of great schools here and Saint Mary’s College is here as well. Some notable people for the region are Will Forte, Erika Henningsen and Aaron Poreda.
Orinda
Orinda was originally a rural region known for its summer cabins and ranching. Over the years, Orinda became a great place to unwind and relax, and it does have many farming-related establishments here. The city’s crime rates have become lower and lower over the years. Plus, you have many places to unwind and relax like the various parks and the incredible film festival.
Los Altos Hills
Despite being a smaller town when compared to others in this list, this is a great town and a very safe one too. It’s widely known for its expensive real estate and its affluence. It’s also close to larger cities, which makes it ideal for people that want peace and quiet, but also direct access to the necessary amenities.
Laguna Woods
Around 90% of the entire city is actually the Laguna Woods village, a gated retirement community. There’s a dedicated golf course here and direct access to various amenities. It’s an incredible place to live in and one of the safest cities in California too. The crime rate is very low, and it’s stayed consistent for more than a decade.
Guadalupe
Many people chose to live in Guadalupe because it’s a very safe city, and it’s also a small one too. That means it’s suitable for anyone that wants peace and quiet. A mission was created here in 1787, and eventually, it became a ranch that was settled by pioneers. Here you can find many parks, not to mention the historic Royal Theater as well.
Ione
Ione is a small town in California, widely known for its architectural style and low crime rate. It was a major supply center for the mines in the region, and it was also home to the Sierra Miwok Tribes. The land in this region is fertile, which is why agriculture was an important part of its development. It was incorporated as a general law city during the 50s.
Rancho Santa Mararita
Rancho Santa Margarita is a part of the San Luis Obispo County. If you want to live in this region, it’s a great idea because crime rates have been consistently low. And yes, you are also close to the larger cities too, which is always important to keep in mind.
Danville
Danville is another great option for anyone that wants a safe, small city where they can live at their own pace. The Iron Horse Regional Trail runs via Danville, and it was the first railroad that was shifted to a bike and hike trail corridor. Here you can also find the Art Gallery and Village Theatre!
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The Rest of the Top 50
11-20
Moorpark
St. Helena
Palos Verdes Estates
Hillsborough
Saratoga
Tiburon
Huron
Sierra Madre
Solvang
Lafayette
31-40
Villa Park
Rancho Palos Verdes
Buelton
Orange Cove
Mammoth Lakes
Windsor
Avenal
San Ramon
Laguna Niguel
San Juan Capistrano
21-30
Gonzales
Kensington
Truckee
Ojai
Canyon Lake
Fillmore
Lincoln
Aliso Viejo
Los Altos
Cudahy
41-50
Laguna Niguel
Foster City
Pacifica
Hughson
Paradise
Clayton
Calistoga
Mission Viejo
Newman
Twenty Nine Pines
Safe Cities with Populations over 50,000
Califonia Cities with Populations over 50K with Low Crime Rates
Statistically, smaller towns and cities typically fare better in comparisons of this nature. While larger cities often have some of the safest neighborhoods in California, often times more urban areas may have much higher crime rates.
Because the larger cities have to struggle with many challenges that smaller towns and communities might not have to deal with, The Home Security Advisor recognizes some of the larger cities in California that have done an admirable job providing safe communities for their residents.
Methodology – How the Top 50 Were Chosen
To determine the most secure towns and cities throughout California, our staff members reviewed the most up-to-date (2018) FBI Uniform Crime Report results with respect to towns and cities with Five thousand residents or higher, who recorded their crime data..
Our staff members considered both “Violent” (aggravated assault, murder, rape and robbery) and “Property Crimes” (burglary, arson, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft).
In order to reflect the seriousness of the crimes, these figures were weighted. Property crimes were factored by .50 and were added to the violent crimes.
The sum of the two was then divided by the population in the community. For comparison purposes, we normalized the mathematical finding to reflect weighted criminal offenses per 100,000.
The Best Places to Live in California – Crime Ratings
While it’s true no rating system is infallible, this provides a very good mathematical gauge of the overall safety and security in the community. If you’re considering transferring to California, these residential districts are amongst the top rated safest metropolitan areas within which one could take up residence.
Nevertheless, it is advisable to understand that not every town and city reports their records.
Additionally, certain areas inside any community may very well be much less hazardous compared to others. This is especially valid in more robust cities. Therefore, one needs to check into specific neighborhoods within the community and communicate with law enforcement to obtain a better overall impression of the security and safety on a local level.
To get more detailed information on keeping your family and home safer, we recommend you consider an overview of Strategies for Home Security…and consider a top rated professionally monitored home security system.
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Final Thoughts and FAQs
Final Thoughts and FAQs
Even if you are fortunate and happen to reside in one of the safest cities in California…the potential to become a victim of a violent crime exists in virtually any community. At The Home Security Advisor, our aim is to provide you with the information you require to guard against the threat of such problems.
Although you might be statistically less likely to be a victim of crimes in some areas, statistics don’t mean anything if you find yourself in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Below you’ll find a list of some of the most dangerous cities in California….where crime is most prevalent.
The Most Dangerous Areas in California
Most Dangerous Places in California
Of course, not everyone is lucky enough to live in one of the safest cities in California. Following is a list of some of the more dangerous areas, with a population of at least 50,000, as was recently published in Spolin Law.
The following locations are the most dangerous cities in California:
-
- Stockton
- San Bernardino
- Oakland
- Compton
- Richmond
- Lancaster
- Vallejo
- Modesto
- Victorville
- Huntington Park
In areas where the crime rate is especially high, it is particularly important to practice some of the personal safety and security habits that we have detailed in the sections below.
Staying Safe on the Streets of California
Personal Safety Tips
Whether you live in one of the safest places in California or one of the more crime-ridden areas, it is critical to be security-conscious and practice good personal safety habits.
No matter where you happen to live, the threat of becoming a victim of a crime or criminal intent is ever-present. While there are no guarantees that you won’t ever experience an assault, robbery ….or worse- there are many steps that you can take to make yourself less vulnerable.
1. Be AWARE of your surroundings. Learn to recognize and react quickly to potentially dangerous situations.
2. Demonstrate assertive body language. Potential assailants are more likely to prey on the weak, defenseless, and timid. Walk with confidence and a sense of purpose.
3. Walk in well-lit, highly-traveled areas. Avoid shortcuts through poorly lit parking lots, alleys, and wooded areas.
4. Keep your cell phone charged. You never know when you may need it to call for help in an emergency.
5. Don’t flash large amounts of cash or any other inviting targets such as cell phones, flashy watches, tablets, or expensive jewelry.
Following these, and other recommended personal safety tips will help reduce the odds of becoming a target.
How Can I Keep My Kids Safer?
Keeping Children Safe in California Communities
Not all threats to a child’s safety and well-being are a result of crime or criminal activity.
And regardless of where you live, no one is immune to the threats of accidental death or injury in and around the home.
Following are some reminders of how you can help provide a safer environment.
Child Safety Tips
- Never Leave a Child Unattended in or Around Water
- Childproof Electrical Outlets
- Keep Small Items Out of Reach
- Prevent Accidental Suffocation
- Secure Chemicals and Cleaning Materials
Home Safety Tips
- Secure Firearms and Ammunition
- Install and Check Smoke and CO Detectors
- Secure Windows and Stairways
- Pet Safety
- Be Prepared for an Emergency
We have elaborated on these topics, in greater detail in our posts on child safety and home safety.
In addition, you may want to consider a neighborhood watchdog tool such as Family Watchdog. This is a free app that will help you to identify registered sex offenders in your neighborhood…or any areas where your child might frequent-such as schools, playgrounds, or friends’ homes. You might be surprised at what this mapping tool will uncover in even the safest places in California.
How Can I Make My Home Safer?
Home Security Tips
Here are some simple steps you can take to help protect your home from the threat of a break-in or home invasion.
1. Close and lock all doors and windows at night and when you are away from home.
2. Have deadbolt locks installed.
3. Secure sliding glass doors.
4. Eliminate hiding places by keeping shrubbery trimmed near entrances and windows.
5. Make sure to keep the exterior of the home well-lit at night.
We elaborate on these items, and more, in our Top 10 Home Security Tips.
I live in one of the Safest Areas in California...do I still need a security system??
Top Reasons Why California Families Get a Home Security System
There is a myriad of reasons why the safest cities in California….are safer.
The size of the community, demographics, quality of schools systems, and the quality of the leadership and police departments are all contributing factors.
But, regardless of how “safe” a community is….crime will always exist.
One way that you can better protect yourself, your home, and your family is by installing a home security system. Statistics show that you will be about 3X less likely to be broken into.
But, modern security systems do more than just protect against break-ins. Some of the most common reasons that you find so many of your neighbors, even in the safest places in California, investing in home security systems are:
- Fire and CO Protection
- Flood Sensors
- Home Automation – Lights, Smart Locks, Smart Thermostats
- Video Cameras
- ElderCare
- Insurance Discounts
And…the most common reason given- Peace of Mind!
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There are many more reasons why people get home security systems…and in the safest neighborhoods in California, you will likely see the signs everywhere you go…Maybe that is why they are safer.
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2018 Safest Cities in California - Top 10 List
Video Summary of California’s Safest Cities- 2019
The 2018 Top 10 List of the Safest Cities in California
1. Imperial
2. Rancho Santa Margarita
3. Fillmore
4. Ione
5. Los Altos Hills
6. Orinda
7. Palos Verdes Estates
8. Danville
9. Moraga
10. Ojai
Last Updated on June 16, 2022 by The Home Security Advisor
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