CityCheck
CitiesSafetyAskPlan
C-

Is Lancaster, California Safe?

Population 170,084 · Safer than 26% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

A C- grade for Lancaster means there's room for concern. The 239.1 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 1,514 per 100K.

Lancaster Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricLancasterCalifornia AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate326.5333.9363.8
Property Crime Rate2064.22099.21,832.3
Murder Rate4.0--5.7
Assault Rate274.0--268.2
Theft Rate1514.0--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-

239.1 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC

327/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD+

2064/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Lancaster

Violent crime in Lancaster is close to the national average. The rate of 326.5 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 2064.2 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,514 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Lancaster Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder4
070% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault274
01.0x national avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery37
058% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary260
096% of avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,514
01.1x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft239
075% of avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Lancaster Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Lancaster
326.5
State
333.9
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Lancaster
2064.2
State
2099.2
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Lancaster Safety

Is Lancaster safe?
Not especially. Lancaster earns a C- with a crime rate of 239.1 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 Lancaster?
239.1 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 326.5 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2064.2 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Lancaster safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Lancaster's C- grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,514 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Lancaster?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Lancaster generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Lancaster police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Lancaster?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Lancaster's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a C- grade overall.
How does Lancaster compare to other cities in California?
Below average for the state. Lancaster ranks behind about 84% of California cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.1x the national rate.
How safe is Lancaster 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 Lancaster?
Bad. A C- grade and 239.1 per-thousand rate put Lancaster below 74% of US cities. Violent crime at 327 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Lancaster?
326.5 per 100,000, which is 10% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (274), robbery (37), and murder (4.0) per 100,000.

Nearby Cities in California

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

D+
See crime rates in Garden Grove170,455 pop · Grade D+
D
See crime rates in Oceanside170,483 pop · Grade D
D
See crime rates in Roseville167,302 pop · Grade D
D
See crime rates in Rancho Cucamonga177,856 pop · Grade D
D+
See crime rates in Palmdale161,845 pop · Grade D+
C
See crime rates in Corona161,734 pop · Grade C
View all California city safety grades

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

Get weekly safety updates for Lancaster

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