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C

Is National City, California Safe?

Population 57,807 · Safer than 32% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

National City, California sits below average for US cities. The C grade comes from a 222.5 crime rate per 1,000 and violent crime close to the national average. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,297 per 100K.

National City Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricNational CityCalifornia AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate345.8333.9363.8
Property Crime Rate1879.22099.21,832.3
Murder Rate6.0--5.7
Assault Rate264.0--268.2
Theft Rate1297.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate240.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyC

222.5 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC

346/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeC

1879/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for National City

Violent crime in National City is close to the national average. The rate of 345.8 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 1879.2 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,297 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

National City Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder6
01.1x national avgAvg: 5.7
Assault264
098% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery42
066% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary304
01.1x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,297
093% of avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft240
075% of avgAvg: 318.3

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

How National City Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

National City
345.8
State
333.9
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

National City
1879.2
State
2099.2
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About National City Safety

Is National City safe?
Not especially. National City earns a C with a crime rate of 222.5 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 National City?
222.5 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 345.8 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 1879.2 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is National City safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. National City's C grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,297 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in National City?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in National City generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the National City police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in National City?
Yes, there's been an uptick. National City's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a C grade overall.
How does National City compare to other cities in California?
Below average for the state. National City ranks behind about 61% of California cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.0x the national rate.
How safe is National City 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 National City?
Bad. A C grade and 222.5 per-thousand rate put National City below 68% of US cities. Violent crime at 346 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in National City?
345.8 per 100,000, which is 5% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (264), robbery (42), and murder (6.0) 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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