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C

Is Goleta, California Safe?

Population 32,401 · Safer than 33% of US cities

Improving· 2023 FBI UCR data

In a community of 32,401, each crime incident has a bigger statistical impact. Goleta earns a C with violent crime close to the national average. The trend has been positive. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,298 per 100K.

Goleta Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricGoletaCalifornia AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate409.9333.9363.8
Property Crime Rate1796.32099.21,832.3
Murder Rate8.0--5.7
Assault Rate342.0--268.2
Theft Rate1298.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate311.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyC

220.6 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeD+

410/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeC

1796/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Goleta

Violent crime in Goleta is close to the national average. The rate of 409.9 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 1796.3 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,298 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Assault is notable at 342 per 100K, above the national 268.2.

Goleta Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder8
01.4x national avgAvg: 5.7
Assault342
01.3x national avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery65
01.0x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary217
080% of avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,298
093% of avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft311
098% of avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Goleta Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Goleta
409.9
State
333.9
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Goleta
1796.3
State
2099.2
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Goleta Safety

Is Goleta safe?
Not especially. Goleta earns a C with a crime rate of 220.6 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 Goleta?
220.6 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 409.9 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 1796.3 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Goleta safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Goleta's C grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,298 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Goleta?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Goleta generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Goleta police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Goleta?
No. Crime in Goleta has been trending down, which is good news for the C-rated city.
How does Goleta compare to other cities in California?
Below average for the state. Goleta ranks behind about 67% of California cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.0x the national rate.
How safe is Goleta 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 Goleta?
Bad. A C grade and 220.6 per-thousand rate put Goleta below 67% of US cities. Violent crime at 410 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Goleta?
409.9 per 100,000, which is 13% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (342), robbery (65), and murder (8.0) 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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