CityCheck
CitiesSafetyAskPlan
D

Is Seal Beach, California Safe?

Population 24,075 · Safer than 19% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

Crime in Seal Beach runs high. The city's D grade puts it below 81% of US cities, with violent crime close to the national average. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,877 per 100K.

Seal Beach Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricSeal BeachCalifornia AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate377.6333.9363.8
Property Crime Rate2223.32099.21,832.3
Murder Rate3.0--5.7
Assault Rate270.0--268.2
Theft Rate1877.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate228.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD

260.1 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC-

378/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD

2223/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Seal Beach

Violent crime in Seal Beach is close to the national average. The rate of 377.6 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2223.3 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,877 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Seal Beach Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder3
053% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault270
01.0x national avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery70
01.1x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary352
01.3x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,877
01.3x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft228
072% of avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Seal Beach Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Seal Beach
377.6
State
333.9
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Seal Beach
2223.3
State
2099.2
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Seal Beach Safety

Is Seal Beach safe?
Not especially. Seal Beach earns a D with a crime rate of 260.1 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 Seal Beach?
260.1 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 377.6 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2223.3 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Seal Beach safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Seal Beach's D grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,877 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Seal Beach?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Seal Beach generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Seal Beach police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Seal Beach?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Seal Beach's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a D grade overall.
How does Seal Beach compare to other cities in California?
Below average for the state. Seal Beach ranks behind about 84% of California cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.2x the national rate.
How safe is Seal Beach to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is close to the national average. The upward trend in crime is concerning.
How bad is crime in Seal Beach?
Bad. A D grade and 260.1 per-thousand rate put Seal Beach below 81% of US cities. Violent crime at 378 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Seal Beach?
377.6 per 100,000, which is 4% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (270), robbery (70), and murder (3.0) per 100,000.

Nearby Cities in California

Similar-sized communities in California. Compare crime rates across the state.

C
See crime rates in Shafter23,871 pop · Grade C
D+
See crime rates in Maywood23,600 pop · Grade D+
D
See crime rates in San Fernando23,449 pop · Grade D
C
See crime rates in Selma24,702 pop · Grade C
C-
See crime rates in Barstow24,804 pop · Grade C-
D+
See crime rates in Marina23,256 pop · Grade D+
View all California city safety grades

Looking for things to do? See activities, events and places in Seal Beach

Get weekly safety updates for Seal Beach

Weekly crime trend updates and safety grade changes delivered to your inbox.

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.

Know before you go

CityCheck covers safety grades, crime data, and things to do for every US city.

Explore cities