D+
11%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
27%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
18%
Property crime NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects the 2022 calendar year and was released from the FBI in September, 2023; this is the most current data available.
StatisticReportedincidents/100k peopleEl Cajon/100k peopleCalifornia/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime2,175n/a (estimate)2,0782,8432,324
Murder0n/a0.05.76.3
Rape29n/a27.737.440.0
Robbery117n/a111.8123.566.1
Assault345n/a329.5332.8268.2
Violent crime491n/a (estimate)469500370
Burglary265n/a253.1371.9269.8
Theft1,077n/a1,028.71,499.31,401.9
Vehicle theft342n/a326.7471.9282.7
Property crime1,684n/a (estimate)1,6092,3431,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in El Cajon, CA

When we analyze the latest crime report, the El Cajon crime rate is 10.6% lower than the national average. These incidents are classified into two primary categories: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes include assault, robbery, rape and murder. Whereas property crimes encompass theft, vehicle theft and burglary. In the case of El Cajon, there were 491 reported violent crimes, equivalent to 469 per 100,000 individuals, 26.8% higher than the national average. Additionally, El Cajon recorded 1684 property crimes, amounting to 1609 per 100,000 residents, 17.7% lower than the U.S. average.

When assessing the total crime rate in El Cajon per 100,000 people, it stands in the median range among all cities with reported crime data. Our analysis of total incidents, encompassing both violent and property crimes within El Cajon, underscores the close alignment of reported crime rates with the national average as reported by other areas.

El Cajon showcased a dedication to violent crime safety in its latest reported crime year by achieving a murder rate of 0. This accomplishment could indicate that it is a safe place for residents, but also provides a shining example to other urban areas endeavoring to create safer communities.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in El Cajon?

What do the local residents think about crime in El Cajon? Well, based on a recent survey of 35 people (conducted by AreaVibes), 37% of El Cajon residents said that there was virtually no crime and that they felt safe walking at night. Another 63% of respondents said that there was too much crime in the area and they did not feel safe walking alone at night.

Is El Cajon a Safe Place to Live?

Determining whether El Cajon is a place to live may not always yield a simple answer, given the city's varying safety levels across different areas. Nonetheless, comprehending the city's overall crime rate can be a valuable asset. In broad terms, El Cajon has an overall crime rate that is 11% lower than the national average. When we take a look at crime on a daily basis, this translates into 5.96 daily occurrences, comprising 1.35 violent crimes and 4.61 property crimes. Scrutinizing these statistics provides a foundation for a more informed assessment of the suitability of El Cajon as a potential place to establish residency.

Has Crime in El Cajon Increased Since Last Year?

Year-over-year crime rates in El Cajon has decreased by 8.8% in the last reported crime report. Comparing crime rates from one year to another offers some insight into whether or not El Cajon is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live. Crime rates are categorized by violent and property crime. Year-over-year violent crime has decreased by 6.5%, while property crime has decreased by 9.5%. This analysis equips individuals with crucial information for making informed decisions about living in El Cajon.

Potential Causes for Crime in El Cajon

The impact of law enforcement and community policing efforts plays a crucial role in shaping crime rates in any city. A robust and cooperative bond between law enforcement and the community can serve as a deterrent to criminal activities, enhancing overall safety. In El Cajon, the ratio of police officers and civilians per 1,000 residents stands at 1.78, differing from the national average of 3.25. Effective law enforcement hinges not solely on officer numbers but also on the manner in which they interact and collaborate with the community. Building trust and cooperation are central tenets of community policing, amplifying its influence on crime prevention.

In areas where housing affordability is an issue, crime can become a significant concern. Some individuals and families may be forced to live in overcrowded or substandard housing conditions, which can increase stress and potentially contribute to domestic disputes and related crimes. The median home price in El Cajon is $470,800, compared to a national average of $184,700.

In El Cajon, the average rental rates are $1,398 per month, compared to the national average of $949. Rapid increases in rental costs can lead to neighborhood instability as residents are forced to move frequently in search of more affordable housing. This transience can weaken community bonds and hinder the establishment of social support networks, which can indirectly contribute to crime. While affordable rent and areas with higher income per capita, allow for long term renters and community bonds to the formed, therefore reducing crime rates on the long term.

El Cajon crime map



The El Cajon crime map provides a detailed overview of all crimes in El Cajon as reported by the local law enforcement agencies. Based on the color coded legend above, the crime map outlines the areas with lower crime compared to the areas with higher crime. The El Cajon crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the El Cajon crime map does not always indicate that it is a dangerous area for its residents. Areas on the heat map could be inflated if they are located in high traffic areas like airports, sports centers or large parks. Other areas on the heat map could see increased crime rates if they are located in major tourist areas like the downtown core.
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Compare El Cajon, CA Crime

      vs

      Crime Quick Facts

      • El Cajon crime rates are 11% lower than the national average
      • Violent crimes in El Cajon are 27% higher than the national average
      • In El Cajon you have a 1 in 49 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • El Cajon is safer than 24% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in El Cajon has decreased by 11%

      El Cajon, CA Crime Quiz

         

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        Daily Crime In El Cajon (per 100,000 people)

        The bar chart above reveals the rate of daily crimes in El Cajon for every 100,000 residents. The El Cajon total amount of daily crime is 1.37 times less than the California average and 1.12 times less than than that of the nation. As for violent crimes, the daily average in El Cajon, is 1.07 times less than the California average, and it is 1.27 times more than the national average. The statistics for property crimes show that El Cajon has a daily crime average that is 1.46 times less than the California average and 1.22 times less than the daily national rate.

        How Safe is El Cajon (higher is better)

        Are people any safer living in El Cajon in comparison to other California communities and all other areas throughout the United States? When we look at all cities across America, is El Cajon safe? The evidence provided by these graphs show El Cajon being safer than 39% of cities in California and 24% of cities across the United States. This is evident by tracking California cities as well as all US cities over a one year period to contrast crime statistics as they relate to El Cajon. In conclusion, El Cajon ranks below average compared to the rest of the United States.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in El Cajon

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in El Cajon is 1 in 214
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in El Cajon is 1 in 63
        The chance of being a victim of crime in El Cajon is 1 in 49
        Are you at risk of becoming a victim of crime in El Cajon, California? If you reside in El Cajon, then there is a 1 in 214 chance that you will experience a violent crime. These types of crimes may include homicide, sexual assault, robbery, and physical assault. Your risk of being a victim of property crime is 1 in 63. These types of crime include burglary, petty theft, and theft of motor vehicles. Altogether, there is a 1 in 49 risk that you will become a victim of crime in El Cajon.

        Year Over Year Crime In El Cajon (per 100,000 people)

        The year over year crime rate per 100,000 people for El Cajon is an accurate tool for tracking the rise and fall of crime, and in determining if living in El Cajon has become safer or more dangerous. The year over year data displayed in the graph shows that violent crimes have decreased by 8% in El Cajon, while property crimes in El Cajon have decreased by 11%. Total crime has decreased by 11% year over year.

        El Cajon police department

        Item El Cajon California National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)18151,506558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents1.83.63.3
        There are a total of 181 El Cajon police officers. This results in 1.8 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 50.8% less than the California average and 45.4% less than the National average.

        Sex offenders in California

        State Total offenders California /100K National /100K
        California79,891232266
        There are a total of 79,891 sex offenders in California. This yields a total of 232 sex offenders in California per 100,000 residents which is 13% less than the national average.

        Nearby Cities With Low Crime Rates

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Fairbanks Ranch, CA2,92978368446
        Granite Hills, CA4,020111518629
        Poway, CA49,7801739561,129
        Crest, CA2,7212039521,155
        Santee, CA57,4072599001,159
        Jamul, CA5,7762541,1921,447
        Spring Valley CDP (Lake County), CA1,1542701,2651,535
        El Cajon, CA103,2494691,6092,078

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Burbank, CA103,4113102,7233,033
        Las Cruces, NM102,9506175,3405,957
        Rialto, CA103,5495022,9033,405
        Sparks, NV102,8954172,0112,429
        San Mateo, CA103,6193042,3492,654
        El Cajon, CA103,2494691,6092,078
        Source: The El Cajon, CA crime data displayed above is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reports for the year of 2022. The crime report encompasses more than 18,000 city and state law enforcement agencies reporting data on property and violent crimes. The uniform crime reports program represents approximately 309 million American residents, which results in 98% coverage of metropolitan statistical areas.