CityCheck
CitiesSafetyAskPlan
D-

Is Lake Forest, California Safe?

Population 86,333 · Safer than 15% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

With a violent crime rate below the national average, Lake Forest faces real safety challenges. It earns a D- grade and ranks below 85% of US cities. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,700 per 100K.

Lake Forest Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricLake ForestCalifornia AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate234.3333.9363.8
Property Crime Rate2501.22099.21,832.3
Murder Rate5.0--5.7
Assault Rate156.0--268.2
Theft Rate1700.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate511.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD-

273.5 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeB-

234/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD-

2501/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Lake Forest

Violent crime in Lake Forest is below the national average. The rate of 234.3 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2501.2 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,700 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Lake Forest Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder5
088% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault156
058% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery43
068% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary461
01.7x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,700
01.2x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft511
01.6x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Lake Forest Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Lake Forest
234.3
State
333.9
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Lake Forest
2501.2
State
2099.2
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Lake Forest Safety

Is Lake Forest safe?
Not especially. Lake Forest earns a D- with a crime rate of 273.5 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs below the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Lake Forest?
273.5 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 234.3 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2501.2 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Lake Forest safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Lake Forest's D- grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,700 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Lake Forest?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Lake Forest generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Lake Forest police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Lake Forest?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Lake Forest's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a D- grade overall.
How does Lake Forest compare to other cities in California?
Below average for the state. Lake Forest ranks behind about 90% of California cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.4x the national rate.
How safe is Lake Forest to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is below the national average, which is encouraging. The upward trend in crime is concerning.
How bad is crime in Lake Forest?
Bad. A D- grade and 273.5 per-thousand rate put Lake Forest below 85% of US cities. Violent crime at 234 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Lake Forest?
234.3 per 100,000, which is 36% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (156), robbery (43), and murder (5.0) per 100,000.

Nearby Cities in California

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

D+
See crime rates in Citrus Heights86,348 pop · Grade D+
D-
See crime rates in Santa Barbara86,422 pop · Grade D-
D
See crime rates in San Ramon86,209 pop · Grade D
D-
See crime rates in Whittier85,815 pop · Grade D-
D-
See crime rates in Mountain View85,438 pop · Grade D-
D+
See crime rates in San Leandro85,353 pop · Grade D+
View all California city safety grades

Looking for things to do? See activities, events and places in Lake Forest

Get weekly safety updates for Lake Forest

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