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D

Is Compton, California Safe?

Population 90,500 · Safer than 16% of US cities

Stable· 2023 FBI UCR data

Crime in Compton runs high. The city's D grade puts it below 84% of US cities, with violent crime below the national average. Theft is the most common offense at 2,194 per 100K, which is well above the national average.

Compton Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricComptonCalifornia AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate234.8333.9363.8
Property Crime Rate2465.32099.21,832.3
Murder Rate3.0--5.7
Assault Rate147.0--268.2
Theft Rate2194.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate500.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD

270 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeB-

235/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD-

2465/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Compton

Violent crime in Compton is below the national average. The rate of 234.8 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2465.3 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 2,194 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Compton Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder3
053% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault147
055% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery56
088% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary261
097% of avgAvg: 269.8
Theft2,194
01.6x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft500
01.6x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Compton Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Compton
234.8
State
333.9
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Compton
2465.3
State
2099.2
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Compton Safety

Is Compton safe?
Not especially. Compton earns a D with a crime rate of 270 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs below the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Compton?
270 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 234.8 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2465.3 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Compton safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Compton's D grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (2,194 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Compton?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Compton generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Compton police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Compton?
Crime rates have held steady in Compton, without significant movement in either direction. The city maintains its D grade.
How does Compton compare to other cities in California?
Below average for the state. Compton ranks behind about 84% of California cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.3x the national rate.
How safe is Compton to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is below the national average, which is encouraging. Rates have been stable.
How bad is crime in Compton?
Bad. A D grade and 270 per-thousand rate put Compton below 84% of US cities. Violent crime at 235 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Compton?
234.8 per 100,000, which is 35% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (147), robbery (56), and murder (3.0) 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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