Porterville, CA Crime Rates

An Overview of Crime Rates in Porterville, CA

Crime can be categorized into two primary types: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes encompass offenses such as murder, rape, robbery, and assault, whereas property crimes involve acts like burglary, theft, and vehicle theft. The overall crime rate in Porterville is 10.3% higher than the national average. Specifically, there were 305 violent crimes reported in Porterville, equivalent to 485 per 100,000 residents, which is higher than the national average by 31.2%. Additionally, Porterville recorded 1307 property crimes, amounting to 2079 per 100,000 people, higher than the national average by 6.4%.

In terms of the total Porterville crime rate per 100,000 people, it falls within the midrange when compared to other cities across the United States. Our analysis of total crimes, encompassing both violent and property offenses in Porterville, revealed that the reported crime rates closely align with the nationwide average reported by other areas.

Porterville maintains a property crime rate that closely resembles the national norm. In Porterville, 2079 property crimes were reported, aligning with the national average of 1954 per 100,000 individuals. Consequently, the area's safety profile stands on par with the average city, neither significantly safer nor more dangerous. This consistency underscores a balanced commitment to community safety and security, providing residents with a stable and reassuring living environment.

Vehicle thefts across all of America are on the rise and Porterville has one of the highest vehicle theft rates in the country. In the most recent crime report, Porterville reported 347 vehicle thefts, which equates to 552 stolen vehicles per 100,000 people. This falls in the bottom 10% of all cities, meaning that 90% of cities have better vehicle theft rates. The chance of having your vehicle stolen in Porterville is 1 in 182.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Porterville?

AreaVibes has conducted polls asking local residents if they feel safe living in Porterville. Based on the results of the surveys (25 responses), 28% of people felt that there was very little crime in Porterville and felt safe walking alone at night. While 72% of people felt that it was not a safe place to live and did not feel safe walking alone at night.

Is Porterville a Safe Place to Live?

Is Porterville a safe place to live? While the answer may not be straightforward due to variations in safety levels across the city, gaining an understanding of the overall crime rate can prove to be advantageous. In general, Porterville has a crime rate that is higher than the national average by 10%. Breaking this down on a daily basis, it translates to 4.42 daily incidents, encompassing 0.84 violent crimes and 3.58 property crimes. Evaluating these statistics can aid in forming a more informed perspective on the safety of Porterville as a potential place to call home.

Has Crime in Porterville Increased Since Last Year?

In the most recent crime report, year-over-year crime rates in Porterville has increased by 28.8%. Examining the change in crime rates from one year to the next provides valuable insights into the evolving safety landscape of Porterville, aiding residents in assessing whether it is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live. These crime rates are categorized into two primary groups: violent and property crimes. Year-over-year, violent crime has increased by 29.2%, while property crime has increased by 28.6%. This comprehensive analysis offers potential residents essential information for making informed decisions about whether or not Porterville is a safe place to live.

Potential Causes for Crime in Porterville

In Porterville, the poverty rate currently stands at 23.1%, which contrasts with the national average of 15.1%. It's essential to recognize that the economic status of a city's inhabitants could be a pivotal factor influencing crime stats. Communities grappling with high poverty rates and income inequality are often susceptible to elevated crime levels, as some individuals may turn to unlawful activities to fulfill their essential needs. While lower poverty rates could lead to a reduction in Porterville crime rates.

Porterville reports an unemployment rate of 7.7%, contrasting with the national average of 4.7%. Constrained employment opportunities or a prevalence of low-paying positions can contribute to elevated rates of unemployment and underemployment. Areas where individuals contend with joblessness or insufficient wages may display heightened susceptibility to an increase in criminal activities attributed to economic insecurity. Conversely, regions characterized by robust employment rates often witness a decrease in overall Porterville crime rates.

In Porterville, 63.1% of residents have successfully graduated from high school, whereas the national average stands at 83%. The educational makeup of any city can exert a significant influence on crime rates. Typically, higher levels of educational attainment are associated with reduced crime rates, as they furnish individuals with improved employment prospects and viable alternatives to engaging in criminal activities. Conversely, communities characterized by lower educational achievement often grapple with higher crime rates, as limited opportunities may drive individuals towards criminal behavior.

Porterville crime map