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C-

Is Fountain Valley, California Safe?

Population 55,508 · Safer than 28% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

A C- grade for Fountain Valley means there's room for concern. The 231.5 per-thousand crime rate and violent crime close to the national average tell the story. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,622 per 100K.

Fountain Valley Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricFountain ValleyCalifornia AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate372.2333.9363.8
Property Crime Rate1942.72099.21,832.3
Murder Rate4.0--5.7
Assault Rate305.0--268.2
Theft Rate1622.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate287.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyC-

231.5 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC-

372/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeC-

1943/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Fountain Valley

Violent crime in Fountain Valley is close to the national average. The rate of 372.2 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 1942.7 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,622 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Assault is notable at 305 per 100K, above the national 268.2.

Fountain Valley Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder4
070% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault305
01.1x national avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery62
098% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary221
082% of avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,622
01.2x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft287
090% of avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Fountain Valley Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Fountain Valley
372.2
State
333.9
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Fountain Valley
1942.7
State
2099.2
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Fountain Valley Safety

Is Fountain Valley safe?
Not especially. Fountain Valley earns a C- with a crime rate of 231.5 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 Fountain Valley?
231.5 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 372.2 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 1942.7 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Fountain Valley safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Fountain Valley's C- grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,622 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Fountain Valley?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Fountain Valley generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Fountain Valley police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Fountain Valley?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Fountain Valley's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a C- grade overall.
How does Fountain Valley compare to other cities in California?
Below average for the state. Fountain Valley ranks behind about 66% of California cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.1x the national rate.
How safe is Fountain Valley 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 Fountain Valley?
Bad. A C- grade and 231.5 per-thousand rate put Fountain Valley below 72% of US cities. Violent crime at 372 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Fountain Valley?
372.2 per 100,000, which is 2% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (305), robbery (62), 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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