Understanding the safety of a community is of utmost importance, whether you are considering relocation, permanent or temporary residence, work, or even just a visit. Here, we will delve deep into the crime data of San Diego, shedding light on the city’s crime rate and providing valuable insights to assist you in making informed decisions.
San Diego, like any other city in California, experiences various types of criminal activities. In order to gain a better understanding of the city’s crime landscape, it is helpful to categorize the offenses into three main categories: Violent Crimes, Property Crimes, and Other Crimes.
Total number of crimes in San Diego, CA. This information may differ from what we’ll discuss below¹.
Is San Diego Safe? Crimes Breakdown
| Violent | Property | Other | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Number | 5,544 | 34,360 | 8,122 |
| Rate per 1000 | 3.86 | 23.95 | 5.66 |
Based on NIBRS data², there are approximately 48 different types of crimes recorded in San Diego. These crimes vary in severity, with some considered less serious, such as simple assaults, forgery, and ATM fraud, while others are treated with utmost seriousness, including murder and rape. In our analysis, we have focused on the most significant crimes, particularly those that have a direct impact on people’s safety and lives.
San Diego’s Violent Crime Rate (Per 1000 Residents)
San Diego has a lower violent crime rate compared to both California and the national average. In San Diego, the rate of violent crimes is 3.86 incidents per 1000 residents, while in California it is 60.57 incidents per 1000 residents, and the national average is 4 incidents per 1000 residents.
Comparison of Violent Crime Rates: San Diego vs. National Average
Examining the violent crime rates in San Diego compared to the national average enables us to gain a comprehensive understanding of the percentage variance for each specific crime. By conducting this analysis, we can effectively gauge the relative levels of safety and security in San Diego in relation to the broader national landscape.
San Diego’s Violent Crimes Statistics
| Murder | Rape | Assault | Robbery | Kidnapping | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Number | 63 | 349 | 3,905 | 1,041 | 186 |
| Rate per 1000 | 0.04 | 0.24 | 2.72 | 0.73 | 0.13 |
| Population | 1,434,673 | ||||
United States Violent Crimes Statistics
| Murder | Rape | Assault | Robbery | Kidnapping | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Number | 23,195 | 145,750 | 939,092 | 207,616 | 36,890 |
| Rate per 1000 | 0.07 | 0.44 | 2.83 | 0.63 | 0.11 |
| Population | 331,889,360 | ||||
Insights into Violent Crimes in San Diego
- San Diego’s murder crime rate is 0.04, which is lower than the national average of 0.07 by 43%.
- On the other hand, the rape crime rate is 0.24, which is lower than the national average of 0.44 by 45%.
- The assault crime rate of the city stands at 2.72, which is lower than the national average of 2.83 by 4%.
- Robbery is a concern in San Diego, with a crime rate of 0.73, which is higher than the national average of 0.63 by 16%.
- The city’s kidnapping crime rate is 0.13, which is higher than the national average of 0.11 by 18%.
San Diego’s Property Crime Rate (Per 1000 Residents)
San Diego has a lower property crime rate compared to California, but higher than the national average. In San Diego, the rate of property crimes is 23.94 incidents per 1000 residents, while in California it is 24.17 incidents per 1000 residents, and the national average is 20 incidents per 1000 residents.
Comparison of Property Crime Rates: San Diego vs. National Average
Similar to our examination of violent crime rates, analyzing the property crime rates in San Diego compared to the national average provides us with valuable insights into the percentage variances for each specific property-related offense.
San Diego’s Property Crime Rate Statistics
| Burglary | Arson | Vandalism | Blackmail | Theft | Vehicle Theft | Identity Theft | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Number | 3,314 | 150 | 7,706 | 50 | 16,896 | 6,244 | 0 |
| Rate per 1000 | 2.31 | 0.1 | 5.37 | 0.03 | 11.78 | 4.35 | 0 |
| Population | 1,434,673 | ||||||
United States Property Crimes Statistics
| Burglary | Arson | Vandalism | Blackmail | Theft | Vehicle Theft | Identity Theft | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Number | 898,487 | 27,917 | 1,307,229 | 12,270 | 4,630,773 | 888,618 | 187,853 |
| Rate per 1000 | 2.72 | 0.08 | 3.94 | 0.04 | 13.95 | 2.68 | 0.87 |
| Population | 331,889,360 | ||||||
Insights into Property Crimes in San Diego
- San Diego experiences a burglary crime rate of 2.31, which is lower than the national average of 2.72 by 15%.
- The arson crime rate is 0.1, which is higher than the national average of 0.08 by 25%.
- Vandalism is a significant concern in San Diego, with a crime rate of 5.37, which is higher than the national average of 3.94 by 36%.
- The blackmail crime rate is 0.03, which is lower than the national average of 0.04 by 25%.
- Theft is not an area of focus, with a crime rate of 11.78 in San Diego, which is lower than the national average of 13.95 by 16%.
- On the other hand, motor vehicle theft in the city has a rate of 4.35, which is higher than the national average of 2.68 by 62%.
- The city has no reported incidents of identity theft.
San Diego’s Other Crimes Statistics
| Drugs Offenses | Weapon Law Violations | Prostitution | Animal Cruelty | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Number | 6,744 | 1,245 | 125 | 0 |
| Rate per 1000 | 4.7 | 0.87 | 0.09 | 0 |
| Population | 1,434,673 | |||
United States Other Crimes Statistics
| Drugs Offenses | Weapon Law Violations | Prostitution | Animal Cruelty | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Number | 1,290,858 | 267,955 | 11,565 | 16,497 |
| Rate per 1000 | 3.89 | 0.81 | 0.04 | 0.05 |
| Population | 331,889,360 | |||
Insights into Other Crimes in San Diego
- Drug offenses are a concern in San Diego, with a rate of 4.7, which is higher than the national average of 3.89 by 21%.
- Weapon law violations are another area of focus. The city’s weapon law violations rate is 0.87, which is higher than the national average of 0.81 by 7%.
Conclusion
San Diego’s violent crime landscape presents certain challenges, with crimes like kidnapping and robbery slightly exceeding the national average. Similarly, in property crimes, challenges arise from offenses surpassing the national average, including vandalism and vehicle theft incidents. Drug offenses and weapon law violations also exceed the national average.
Explore cities like Basalt, CO, which have a similar violent crime rate to San Diego. Also, explore places with a similar property crime rate like Mount Crested Butte, CO.