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C

Is El Cajon, California Safe?

Population 101,755 · Safer than 31% of US cities

Stable· 2023 FBI UCR data

A C grade for El Cajon means there's room for concern. The 223.6 per-thousand crime rate and violent crime above the national average tell the story. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,497 per 100K.

El Cajon Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricEl CajonCalifornia AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate442.8333.9363.8
Property Crime Rate1793.02099.21,832.3
Murder Rate6.0--5.7
Assault Rate257.0--268.2
Theft Rate1497.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate229.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyC

223.6 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeD

443/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeC

1793/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for El Cajon

Violent crime in El Cajon is above the national average. The rate of 442.8 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 1793.0 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,497 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

El Cajon Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder6
01.1x national avgAvg: 5.7
Assault257
096% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery68
01.1x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary314
01.2x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,497
01.1x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft229
072% of avgAvg: 318.3

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

How El Cajon Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

El Cajon
442.8
State
333.9
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

El Cajon
1793.0
State
2099.2
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About El Cajon Safety

Is El Cajon safe?
Not especially. El Cajon earns a C with a crime rate of 223.6 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs above the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in El Cajon?
223.6 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 442.8 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 1793.0 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is El Cajon safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. El Cajon's C grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,497 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in El Cajon?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in El Cajon generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the El Cajon police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in El Cajon?
Crime rates have held steady in El Cajon, without significant movement in either direction. The city maintains its C grade.
How does El Cajon compare to other cities in California?
Below average for the state. El Cajon ranks behind about 64% of California cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.0x the national rate.
How safe is El Cajon to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is above the national average. Rates have been stable.
How bad is crime in El Cajon?
Bad. A C grade and 223.6 per-thousand rate put El Cajon below 69% of US cities. Violent crime at 443 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in El Cajon?
442.8 per 100,000, which is 22% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (257), robbery (68), and murder (6.0) per 100,000.

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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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