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D+

Is Lafayette, California Safe?

Population 25,313 · Safer than 22% of US cities

Stable· 2023 FBI UCR data

Lafayette is a smaller community of 25,313 people with a D+ safety grade. Crime runs below the national average for violent offenses, and the overall rate sits at 250.3 per 1,000. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,849 per 100K.

Lafayette Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricLafayetteCalifornia AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate243.9333.9363.8
Property Crime Rate2259.12099.21,832.3
Murder Rate2.0--5.7
Assault Rate192.0--268.2
Theft Rate1849.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate532.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD+

250.3 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeB-

244/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD

2259/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Lafayette

Violent crime in Lafayette is below the national average. The rate of 243.9 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2259.1 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,849 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Lafayette Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder2
035% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault192
072% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery39
062% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary414
01.5x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,849
01.3x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft532
01.7x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Lafayette Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Lafayette
243.9
State
333.9
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Lafayette
2259.1
State
2099.2
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Lafayette Safety

Is Lafayette safe?
Not especially. Lafayette earns a D+ with a crime rate of 250.3 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs below the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Lafayette?
250.3 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 243.9 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2259.1 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Lafayette safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Lafayette's D+ grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,849 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Lafayette?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Lafayette generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Lafayette police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Lafayette?
Crime rates have held steady in Lafayette, without significant movement in either direction. The city maintains its D+ grade.
How does Lafayette compare to other cities in California?
Below average for the state. Lafayette ranks behind about 74% of California cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.2x the national rate.
How safe is Lafayette to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is below the national average, which is encouraging. Rates have been stable.
How bad is crime in Lafayette?
Bad. A D+ grade and 250.3 per-thousand rate put Lafayette below 78% of US cities. Violent crime at 244 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Lafayette?
243.9 per 100,000, which is 33% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (192), robbery (39), and murder (2.0) 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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