What are the safest cities in California? As one of the largest states in the United States, California is famous for its beautiful landscape and diverse culture. However, there are also concerns about safety in California, such as crime rates, natural disasters, and traffic accidents. These problems have caught the attention of a wide range of people. Among many places in the state, how do you know which cities offer the highest level of security for you? Read on and take a look at the top safest cities in California we have compiled.
An Overview of Safety in California
As the most dynamic state in population and economy, California has attracted countless immigrants from all over the world. At the same time, California is also an educational powerhouse attracting many international students with its good education resources and world-class universities. However, the safety issue is still the main factor affecting many students’ choice of schools. Now let’s see the overview of safety in California.
Law and order
Though there are crimes, such as burglaries and robberies, in California, it is worth noting that most of these crimes occur in specific areas and time. It is relatively safe for university students because there are fewer crimes related directly to them.
Campus safety
Colleges and universities in California generally emphasize campus safety and have specialized campus police or security departments responsible for maintaining campus order and ensuring student safety. In addition, schools regularly hold safety education programs to enhance students’ safety awareness and self-protection abilities.
Community support
Communities in California are generally friendly to international students and offer a wealth of support and services. For example, many communities will organize volunteer activities to help international students adapt to the new environment and solve difficulties and problems in life.
Top 20 Safest Cities in California
According to the survey about the state of safety of America done by Safewise, violent crime, and property crime are the top two crimes that most Californians are concerned about. Below are the top safest cities in California with specific information.
1. Rancho Santa Margarita
Population: 46,889
Violent crime rate: 0.4
Property crime rate: 4.8
Originally a rancho granted to Spanish settlers in the 18th century, Rancho Santa Margarita has evolved into a thriving modern suburb within Orange County. It is one of the safest cities and the youngest cities in California. It is bordered by Mission Viejo to the west and the Cleveland National Forest to the east, a master-planned community nestled among rolling hills with stunning views.
2. Aliso Viejo
Population: 51,477
Violent crime rate: 0.9
Property crime rate: 6.8
Aliso Viejo is Orange County’s only city that was incorporated after 2000. There are a lot of Asians living here, and people’s median household income is $118,540. The city is known for its rolling hills, valley faces, and picturesque views of mountains, streams, parks, and city lights, and has long ranked as one of the safest cities in California, even America.
3. Yorba Linda
Population: 67,550
Violent crime rate: 0.5
Property crime rate: 10.2
Yorba Linda has been recognized as one of the most livable cities in the United States. The beautiful urban environment, high quality of life, and excellent school districts, as well as the safety of the city, are all influential factors that make people want to come and live here. The 37th President of the United States, Richard Nixon, was born and grew up in Yorba Linda. The Nixon Presidential Library and Museum are in that city.
4. Laguna Niguel
Population: 64,119
Violent crime rate: 0.9
Property crime rate: 10.5
Laguna Niguel is an affluent, unified-planning city located along the San Joaquin Hills waterfront in Orange County. More than a third of the land in Laguna Nigle is used as public green space. People can go and walk in parks, such as Aliso/WoodCanyons Regional Park, Badlands Park, and Laguna Nigle Regional Park. Many communities have guards to ensure people’s security. Robust security measures make it one of the safest cities in southern California.
5. Mission Viejo
Population: 91,382
Violent crime rate: 0.8
Property crime rate: 11.4
Founded in 1988, Mission Viejo covers an area of approximately 17.74 square miles. The city is known for its scenic boulevards, which have been honoured by the National Arbor Day Foundation. The city was named after Mission Viejo, a land grant from the Spanish Crown. Mission Viejo is one the safest places in California, according to FBI data on crime rates.
6. Lake Forest
Population: 85,480
Violent crime rate: 1.2
Property crime rate: 10.6
Lake Forest is bordered by Irvine on the west side of the city. With convenient transportation, the development of Irvine has also led to the booming growth of Lake Forest. Nowadays, more and more people are working in Irvine and living in Lake Forest. Compared to Irvine, it has cheaper housing price and lower land taxes. Besides, it is also one of the safest places to live in California.
7. Lincoln
Population: 51,456
Violent crime rate: 1.7
Property crime rate: 9.0
Originally named Lancaster, the city of Lincoln became the capital of Nebraska in 1867 and was renamed in honor of one of the greatest presidents in American history, Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln is home to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Union College, and Nebraska Wesleyan University. It boasts a planetarium, art gallery, and sculpture garden, as well as the state’s history museum and art center.
8. Poway
Population: 48,011
Violent crime rate: 1.7
Property crime rate: 9.8
Located in North County, San Diego, California, Poway is a livable city that boasts a rural atmosphere with urban attributes. With its quality school district, beautiful surroundings, and relatively low home prices, Poway has attracted many families to settle and invest in the area. It is also the lowest crimerate city california.
9. Rocklin
Population: 74,168
Violent crime rate: 1.1
Property crime rate: 13.0
It is considered one of the safest places to live in Northern California, and it has many recreational facilities. With the increase in new residential developments, it is attracting many young families. The town has a reputation for being family-friendly. Local officials and other members of the community are working hard to create a town that is inclusive of all cultural backgrounds, racial colours, and lifestyles.
10. Irvine
Population: 311,696
Violent crime rate: 0.7
Property crime rate: 15.1
Irvine has excellent institutions of higher learning, including the University of California, Irvine and Concordia University. The gathering of high-quality talent makes high quality of the overall level of Irvine residents. With huge investments in safety, Irvine has become the safest city in California. According to the FBI, Irvine has been recognized as the “safest city” in the United States for 12 consecutive years for cities with a population of 100,000 or more.
11. Santee
Population: 59,351
Violent crime rate: 2.6
Property crime rate: 9.1
Santee is home to many historic structures. The Mission Dam, built in 1816, is an important part of the Mission San Diego de Alcala Irrigation System. The Edgemoor Barn, built in 1913, is known for its striking architecture and rich agricultural heritage and is a symbol of the area’s agricultural heritage.
12. San Marcos
Population: 94,879
Violent crime rate: 2.2
Property crime rate: 10.8
San Marcos is located in the state of California, north of San Diego, in the heart of the Southern California coast, where there are many shopping places and restaurants. It is home to prestigious institutions such as California State University and San Marcos, which attract many students with their quality educational resources and unique educational philosophies.
13. San Clemente
Population: 63,449
Violent crime rate: 1.8
Property crime rate: 12.3
San Clemente is a coastal city in southern Orange County. The population of San Clemente was 64,293 at the 2020 census. Located between Los Angeles and San Diego, the city is a popular tourist destination in the Southern California region, known for its beaches, Spanish Colonial Revival architecture, and hospitality industry. In recent years, the area has also become known to many as “California’s Little Kamakura”
14. Elk Grove
Population: 180,372
Violent crime rate: 2.0
Property crime rate: 13.4
Elk Grove is located in the south of Sacramento, covering 71.4 square kilometres. Opened in 1850 and incorporated as a city in 2000, Elk Grove is primarily agricultural and service-oriented, with residents living at a relatively safe pace in California. The city has produced a number of outstanding people, such as Alejandro Elbow, the American wheelchair bicycle racer at the Beijing Paralympics, who was born in Elk Grove and was a silver medalist at the 2004 Paralympics in Athens.
15. Encinitas
Population: 61,488
Violent crime rate: 1.8
Property crime rate: 15.3
Encinitas is a charming coastal city in San Diego County, California, known for its magnificent beaches, vibrant surf culture. It is one of the safest cities to live in California. In addition, Encinitas is home to many fine stores, art galleries, and gourmet restaurants, providing a colorful and varied lifestyle experience for visitors and residents alike.
16. Murrieta
Population: 114,655
Violent crime rate: 2.7
Property crime rate: 12.7
Located in Riverside County, Murrieta is an important hub connecting inland and coastal areas of California. Murrieta also has a favourable investment environment. The government actively provides policy support and service guarantees, attracting a large number of enterprises and investors to invest in business. With a safe atmosphere, it is one of the most promising cities in Southern California.
17. Fontana
Population: 212,730
Violent crime rate: 2.8
Property crime rate: 13.0
Fontana is in San Bernardino County, California. It is a fast-growing city known for its colourful history. Over the past century, the city has evolved from a rural town with chicken and hog operations and citrus and walnut orchards into a major transportation hub for Los Angeles and surrounding cities and a strategic regional centre for the freight industry.
18. Menifee
Population: 109,673
Violent crime rate: 2.8
Property crime rate: 14.0
Menefee is strategically located near a number of major freeways, making it an important node connecting major cities such as Los Angeles and San Diego. Home prices and rents in Menifee are more affordable than in some of California’s largest cities, and a lower crime rate makes it a realistic option for most ordinaries.
19. Cypress
Population: 49,588
Violent crime rate: 1.2
Property crime rate: 19.9
Surrounded by dense forests and tranquil lakes, Cypress offers visitors a great place to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and get closer to nature. As one of the safest cities in California, you can enjoy yourself when doing outdoor activities. Visitors can experience the fun of boating, fishing, mountain biking and other outdoor sports here and feel the charm of nature.
20. Clovis
Population: 125,348
Violent crime rate: 1.8
Property crime rate: 17.8
Nestled in the heart of California’s San Joaquin Valley, Clovis is blessed with beautiful natural surroundings and a pleasant climate. The city’s many parks and green spaces, such as Woodward Park, offer a wide range of outdoor activities, and the Dry Creek Trail is a popular choice for hikers and bikers. Known for its low crime rate and high security, Clovis is the safest place in California.
How to Stay Safe in California
Many believe that California’s safety problems are rooted in a rapidly growing population and social dysfunction. As people migrate and move, the structure of society is constantly changing. Environmental problems and resource shortages brought about by the urbanization and industrialization of California have also increased safety concerns. So how to keep safe in California? Here are some tips.
1. Increase awareness of personal precautions
Raising your awareness of personal precautions is an important part of ensuring your personal safety. In your daily life, it is important to develop good habits to minimize potential risks.
- Whether you stay home alone or go out, keep an eye on your surroundings and others.
- Try to avoid going out alone at night. If you must go out, choose a crowded and brightly lit place.
- Carry necessary items with you, such as cell phone rechargeable batteries, emergency contact information, and small self-defence tools.
2. Protect yourself at social events
Participating in social activities is an important way to expand your relationships, but you also need to be aware of self-protection to reduce potential risks.
- Try to go to parties with familiar friends and do not make contact with strangers easily.
- Tell friends where you are going when you go out and keep your cell phone open to make it easier to contact them.
- Set reasonable time limits for socializing and don’t return to your house too late.
3. Make emergency response programs
Whether you are studying or living, you may encounter unexpected situations. It is important to have a plan in advance.
- Prepare an emergency contact list of family and friends in case you are in an emergency.
- Familiarize the location of nearby hospitals and clinics and write down contact numbers for quick medical attention.
- Have a clear escape route and a meeting point in your place of residence so that you can react quickly in the event of an emergency such as a fire.
4. Assess the environment of community
Choosing the right living environment is important to ensure personal safety. A thorough assessment should be conducted when deciding where to rent.
- Use online resources, such as crime statistics websites, to learn about the policing situation in the target area.
- Visit the community in person and talk to local residents to find a safe house to live in.
- Find a reliable and trustworthy roommate to share the stresses and risks of living together if you do not want to live alone.
- With the help of a reliable rental platform, such as uhomes, you can eliminate risk factors and find a house that you are satisfied with.
5. Know the traffic rules
- Whether you are walking or driving, follow traffic rules strictly to avoid accidents.
- Don’t expose your valuables and pay attention to the movement of the passengers around you when you take the bus or subway.
6. Watch out for personal information and property
- Set complex passwords and update them regularly to minimize the risk of theft.
- Do not click on unknown links or download attachments at will to avoid getting infected with viruses or phishing scams.
- When using public Wi-Fi, encrypt the connection through a VPN to improve online privacy protection.
Conclusion
This blog listed the top 20 safest cities in California. Most of them are located in southern California. Rancho Santa Margarita is hailed as the safest city in the Golden State with remarkably low rates of violent and property crimes. Other cities in the top tier of safety include Danville, Moorpark, Aliso Viejo, Yorba Linda, Laguna Niguel, Poway, and Mission Viejo. These rankings not only provide valuable insights but also serve as a useful guide for individuals and families seeking to relocate or invest in safe communities within the state. Besides, we provide the tips to keep safe in California to help you protect yourself better.
FAQ
Where is the cheapest but safest place to live in California?
Clovis is the cheapest but safest place to live in California.
Clovis is one of the top 20 safest cities in California in 2024. Compared to other cities like Rancho Santa Margarita and Aliso Viejo, it is also an affordable city in the state with lower housing prices and cost of living.
What is the safest city in America?
According to WalletHub’s 2024 “America’s Safest Cities” list, South Burlington, Vermont, was named the safest city in the United States.
The top 10 safest cities in America are listed below:
- South Burlington, Vermont
- Casper, Wyoming
- Warwick, Rhode Island
- Burlington, Vermont
- Boise, Idaho
- Yonkers, New York
- Cedar Rapids, Iowa
- Columbia, Maryland
- Portland, Maine
10. Virginia Beach, VA
Which is safer, northern or southern California?
Most of the top 20 safest cities are located in southern California. Cities in southern California are more urban and coastal, with larger populations and more densely populated areas. This can make governments spend more on security administration and provide a safer living environment for residents.
