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C-

Is Ridgecrest, California Safe?

Population 28,333 · Safer than 26% of US cities

Stable· 2023 FBI UCR data

Ridgecrest is a smaller community of 28,333 people with a C- safety grade. Crime runs below the national average for violent offenses, and the overall rate sits at 237.6 per 1,000. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,444 per 100K.

Ridgecrest Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricRidgecrestCalifornia AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate224.0333.9363.8
Property Crime Rate2151.82099.21,832.3
Murder Rate5.0--5.7
Assault Rate173.0--268.2
Theft Rate1444.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate409.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyC-

237.6 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeB-

224/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD+

2152/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Ridgecrest

Violent crime in Ridgecrest is below the national average. The rate of 224.0 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2151.8 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,444 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Ridgecrest Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder5
088% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault173
065% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery39
062% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary278
01.0x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,444
01.0x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft409
01.3x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Ridgecrest Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Ridgecrest
224.0
State
333.9
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Ridgecrest
2151.8
State
2099.2
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Ridgecrest Safety

Is Ridgecrest safe?
Not especially. Ridgecrest earns a C- with a crime rate of 237.6 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs below the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Ridgecrest?
237.6 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 224.0 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2151.8 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Ridgecrest safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Ridgecrest's C- grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,444 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Ridgecrest?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Ridgecrest generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Ridgecrest police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Ridgecrest?
Crime rates have held steady in Ridgecrest, without significant movement in either direction. The city maintains its C- grade.
How does Ridgecrest compare to other cities in California?
Below average for the state. Ridgecrest ranks behind about 79% of California cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.2x the national rate.
How safe is Ridgecrest 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 Ridgecrest?
Bad. A C- grade and 237.6 per-thousand rate put Ridgecrest below 74% of US cities. Violent crime at 224 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Ridgecrest?
224.0 per 100,000, which is 38% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (173), robbery (39), and murder (5.0) 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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