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D

Is San Clemente, California Safe?

Population 62,226 · Safer than 16% of US cities

Stable· 2023 FBI UCR data

San Clemente has a crime problem that shows up in the data. The D safety grade reflects a violent crime rate above the national average and an overall rate of 269.9 per 1,000 residents. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,753 per 100K.

San Clemente Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricSan ClementeCalifornia AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate430.8333.9363.8
Property Crime Rate2268.52099.21,832.3
Murder Rate8.0--5.7
Assault Rate293.0--268.2
Theft Rate1753.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate486.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD

269.9 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeD

431/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD

2269/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for San Clemente

Violent crime in San Clemente is above the national average. The rate of 430.8 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2268.5 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,753 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

San Clemente Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder8
01.4x national avgAvg: 5.7
Assault293
01.1x national avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery51
081% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary325
01.2x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,753
01.3x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft486
01.5x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How San Clemente Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

San Clemente
430.8
State
333.9
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

San Clemente
2268.5
State
2099.2
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About San Clemente Safety

Is San Clemente safe?
Not especially. San Clemente earns a D with a crime rate of 269.9 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs above the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in San Clemente?
269.9 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 430.8 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2268.5 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is San Clemente safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. San Clemente's D grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,753 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in San Clemente?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in San Clemente generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the San Clemente police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in San Clemente?
Crime rates have held steady in San Clemente, without significant movement in either direction. The city maintains its D grade.
How does San Clemente compare to other cities in California?
Below average for the state. San Clemente ranks behind about 92% of California cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.2x the national rate.
How safe is San Clemente to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is above the national average. Rates have been stable.
How bad is crime in San Clemente?
Bad. A D grade and 269.9 per-thousand rate put San Clemente below 84% of US cities. Violent crime at 431 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in San Clemente?
430.8 per 100,000, which is 18% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (293), robbery (51), and murder (8.0) 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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