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D

Is Poway, California Safe?

Population 49,180 · Safer than 17% of US cities

Stable· 2023 FBI UCR data

With a violent crime rate below the national average, Poway faces real safety challenges. It earns a D grade and ranks below 83% of US cities. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 2,020 per 100K.

Poway Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricPowayCalifornia AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate297.2333.9363.8
Property Crime Rate2372.12099.21,832.3
Murder Rate4.0--5.7
Assault Rate173.0--268.2
Theft Rate2020.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate500.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD

266.9 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC+

297/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD-

2372/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Poway

Violent crime in Poway is below the national average. The rate of 297.2 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2372.1 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 2,020 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Poway Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder4
070% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault173
065% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery66
01.0x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary329
01.2x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft2,020
01.4x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft500
01.6x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Poway Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Poway
297.2
State
333.9
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Poway
2372.1
State
2099.2
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Poway Safety

Is Poway safe?
Not especially. Poway earns a D with a crime rate of 266.9 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs below the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Poway?
266.9 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 297.2 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2372.1 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Poway safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Poway's D grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (2,020 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Poway?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Poway generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Poway police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Poway?
Crime rates have held steady in Poway, without significant movement in either direction. The city maintains its D grade.
How does Poway compare to other cities in California?
Below average for the state. Poway ranks behind about 78% of California cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.3x the national rate.
How safe is Poway to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is below the national average, which is encouraging. Rates have been stable.
How bad is crime in Poway?
Bad. A D grade and 266.9 per-thousand rate put Poway below 83% of US cities. Violent crime at 297 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Poway?
297.2 per 100,000, which is 18% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (173), robbery (66), and murder (4.0) 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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