CityCheck
CitiesSafetyAskPlan
C

Is Lake Elsinore, California Safe?

Population 75,067 · Safer than 32% of US cities

Improving· 2023 FBI UCR data

A C grade for Lake Elsinore means there's room for concern. The 221.9 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 1,437 per 100K.

Lake Elsinore Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricLake ElsinoreCalifornia AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate334.2333.9363.8
Property Crime Rate1884.82099.21,832.3
Murder Rate3.0--5.7
Assault Rate230.0--268.2
Theft Rate1437.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate239.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyC

221.9 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC

334/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeC

1885/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Lake Elsinore

Violent crime in Lake Elsinore is close to the national average. The rate of 334.2 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 1884.8 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,437 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Lake Elsinore Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder3
053% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault230
086% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery65
01.0x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary274
01.0x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,437
01.0x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft239
075% of avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Lake Elsinore Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Lake Elsinore
334.2
State
333.9
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Lake Elsinore
1884.8
State
2099.2
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Lake Elsinore Safety

Is Lake Elsinore safe?
Not especially. Lake Elsinore earns a C with a crime rate of 221.9 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 Lake Elsinore?
221.9 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 334.2 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 1884.8 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Lake Elsinore safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Lake Elsinore's C grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,437 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Lake Elsinore?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Lake Elsinore generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Lake Elsinore police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Lake Elsinore?
No. Crime in Lake Elsinore has been trending down, which is good news for the C-rated city.
How does Lake Elsinore compare to other cities in California?
Middle of the pack for California. Lake Elsinore isn't the safest option in the state, but it's not the most concerning either, ranking around the 42th percentile among California cities.
How safe is Lake Elsinore to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is close to the national average, which is encouraging. Crime has been dropping, which helps.
How bad is crime in Lake Elsinore?
Bad. A C grade and 221.9 per-thousand rate put Lake Elsinore below 68% of US cities. Violent crime at 334 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Lake Elsinore?
334.2 per 100,000, which is 8% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (230), robbery (65), and murder (3.0) per 100,000.

Nearby Cities in California

Similar-sized communities in California. Compare crime rates across the state.

Get weekly safety updates for Lake Elsinore

Weekly crime trend updates and safety grade changes delivered to your inbox.

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.

Know before you go

CityCheck covers safety grades, crime data, and things to do for every US city.

Explore cities