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D+

Is Palmdale, California Safe?

Population 161,845 · Safer than 22% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

A D+ grade for Palmdale means there's room for concern. The 248.4 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 1,451 per 100K.

Palmdale Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricPalmdaleCalifornia AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate340.2333.9363.8
Property Crime Rate2144.32099.21,832.3
Murder Rate3.0--5.7
Assault Rate278.0--268.2
Theft Rate1451.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate365.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD+

248.4 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC

340/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD+

2144/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Palmdale

Violent crime in Palmdale is close to the national average. The rate of 340.2 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2144.3 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,451 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Palmdale Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder3
053% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault278
01.0x national avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery68
01.1x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary386
01.4x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,451
01.0x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft365
01.1x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Palmdale Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Palmdale
340.2
State
333.9
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Palmdale
2144.3
State
2099.2
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Palmdale Safety

Is Palmdale safe?
Not especially. Palmdale earns a D+ with a crime rate of 248.4 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 Palmdale?
248.4 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 340.2 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2144.3 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Palmdale safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Palmdale's D+ grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,451 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Palmdale?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Palmdale generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Palmdale police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Palmdale?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Palmdale's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a D+ grade overall.
How does Palmdale compare to other cities in California?
Below average for the state. Palmdale ranks behind about 87% of California cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.2x the national rate.
How safe is Palmdale 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 Palmdale?
Bad. A D+ grade and 248.4 per-thousand rate put Palmdale below 78% of US cities. Violent crime at 340 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Palmdale?
340.2 per 100,000, which is 6% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (278), robbery (68), and murder (3.0) 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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