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D-

Is Irvine, California Safe?

Population 318,764 · Safer than 14% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

With a violent crime rate close to the national average, Irvine faces real safety challenges. It earns a D- grade and ranks below 86% of US cities. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,481 per 100K.

Irvine Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricIrvineCalifornia AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate363.2333.9363.8
Property Crime Rate2398.12099.21,832.3
Murder Rate4.0--5.7
Assault Rate242.0--268.2
Theft Rate1481.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate598.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD-

276.1 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC-

363/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD-

2398/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Irvine

Violent crime in Irvine is close to the national average. The rate of 363.2 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2398.1 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,481 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Irvine Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder4
070% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault242
090% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery88
01.4x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary393
01.5x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,481
01.1x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft598
01.9x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Irvine Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Irvine
363.2
State
333.9
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Irvine
2398.1
State
2099.2
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Irvine Safety

Is Irvine safe?
Not especially. Irvine earns a D- with a crime rate of 276.1 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 Irvine?
276.1 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 363.2 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2398.1 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Irvine safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Irvine's D- grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,481 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Irvine?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Irvine generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Irvine police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Irvine?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Irvine's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a D- grade overall.
How does Irvine compare to other cities in California?
Below average for the state. Irvine ranks behind about 83% of California cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.3x the national rate.
How safe is Irvine to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is close to the national average, which is encouraging. The upward trend in crime is concerning.
How bad is crime in Irvine?
Bad. A D- grade and 276.1 per-thousand rate put Irvine below 86% of US cities. Violent crime at 363 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Irvine?
363.2 per 100,000, which is 0% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (242), robbery (88), 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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