CityCheck
CitiesSafetyAskPlan
D-

Is Downey, California Safe?

Population 108,468 · Safer than 14% of US cities

Improving· 2023 FBI UCR data

Crime in Downey runs high. The city's D- grade puts it below 86% of US cities, with violent crime close to the national average. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 2,031 per 100K.

Downey Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricDowneyCalifornia AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate415.4333.9363.8
Property Crime Rate2359.22099.21,832.3
Murder Rate8.0--5.7
Assault Rate309.0--268.2
Theft Rate2031.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate533.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD-

277.5 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeD+

415/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD-

2359/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Downey

Violent crime in Downey is close to the national average. The rate of 415.4 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2359.2 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 2,031 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Assault is notable at 309 per 100K, above the national 268.2.

Downey Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder8
01.4x national avgAvg: 5.7
Assault309
01.2x national avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery69
01.1x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary274
01.0x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft2,031
01.4x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft533
01.7x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Downey Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Downey
415.4
State
333.9
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Downey
2359.2
State
2099.2
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Downey Safety

Is Downey safe?
Not especially. Downey earns a D- with a crime rate of 277.5 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 Downey?
277.5 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 415.4 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2359.2 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Downey safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Downey's D- grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (2,031 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Downey?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Downey generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Downey police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Downey?
No. Crime in Downey has been trending down, which is good news for the D--rated city.
How does Downey compare to other cities in California?
Below average for the state. Downey ranks behind about 96% of California cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.3x the national rate.
How safe is Downey to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is close to the national average. Crime has been dropping, which helps.
How bad is crime in Downey?
Bad. A D- grade and 277.5 per-thousand rate put Downey below 86% of US cities. Violent crime at 415 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Downey?
415.4 per 100,000, which is 14% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (309), robbery (69), and murder (8.0) per 100,000.

Nearby Cities in California

Similar-sized communities in California. Compare crime rates across the state.

D-
See crime rates in Costa Mesa108,881 pop · Grade D-
C-
See crime rates in Jurupa Valley107,311 pop · Grade C-
C-
See crime rates in San Buenaventura (Ventura)109,914 pop · Grade C-
D
See crime rates in Rialto106,554 pop · Grade D
D+
See crime rates in Santa Maria111,390 pop · Grade D+
D
See crime rates in West Covina105,301 pop · Grade D
View all California city safety grades

Looking for things to do? See activities, events and places in Downey

Get weekly safety updates for Downey

Weekly crime trend updates and safety grade changes delivered to your inbox.

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.

Know before you go

CityCheck covers safety grades, crime data, and things to do for every US city.

Explore cities