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D-

Is Brea, California Safe?

Population 47,260 · Safer than 12% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

Crime in Brea runs high. The city's D- grade puts it below 88% of US cities, with violent crime close to the national average. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,544 per 100K.

Brea Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricBreaCalifornia AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate411.6333.9363.8
Property Crime Rate2430.22099.21,832.3
Murder Rate4.0--5.7
Assault Rate249.0--268.2
Theft Rate1544.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate329.0--318.3

All rates per 100,000 residents. 2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report + Census Bureau population estimates.

Overall SafetyD-

284.2 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeD+

412/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD-

2430/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Brea

Violent crime in Brea is close to the national average. The rate of 411.6 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2430.2 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,544 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Brea Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder4
070% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault249
093% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery76
01.2x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary303
01.1x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,544
01.1x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft329
01.0x national avgAvg: 318.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. Vertical marker = national average.

How Brea Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Brea
411.6
State
333.9
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Brea
2430.2
State
2099.2
National
1832.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. National averages from 2023 FBI UCR data.

Frequently Asked Questions About Brea Safety

Is Brea safe?
Not especially. Brea earns a D- with a crime rate of 284.2 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs close to the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Brea?
284.2 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 411.6 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2430.2 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Brea safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Brea's D- grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,544 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Brea?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Brea generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Brea police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Brea?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Brea's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a D- grade overall.
How does Brea compare to other cities in California?
Below average for the state. Brea ranks behind about 82% of California cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.3x the national rate.
How safe is Brea to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is close to the national average. The upward trend in crime is concerning.
How bad is crime in Brea?
Bad. A D- grade and 284.2 per-thousand rate put Brea below 88% of US cities. Violent crime at 412 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Brea?
411.6 per 100,000, which is 13% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (249), robbery (76), and murder (4.0) per 100,000.

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View all California city safety grades

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2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report data and Census Bureau population estimates. Safety grades calculated using national and state-level crime rate distributions. Not a substitute for local law enforcement guidance.

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