Living in Los Angeles County is exciting for many people.
The climate, the many things to see and do, and the reputation for being a haven for movie stars and music stars excite many people.
One thing that does not excite people living in or visiting Los Angeles County is crime.
City-Data indicates that the 2020 crime rate in Los Angeles was higher than 90.2 percent of cities in the U.S.
These 10 Safest Cities in Los Angeles County provide a lifestyle that many people only dream of, with magnificent views, endless activities, and less worrying about becoming a crime victim.
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10 Safest Cities in Los Angeles County
1. La Habra Heights
The La Habra Heights official website greets site visitors with the statement “Welcome to rural living.”
The panoramic views, woodlands, and citrus groves are just some reasons that residents make their home in the area.
La Habra Heights has an estimated 5,172 residents.
The residents are mostly middle to upper income, and well-educated people.
The violent crime rate is well below the national average.
La Habra has a lower crime rate than about 80 percent of California cities.
2. Rolling Hills
Rolling Hills, located on the Palos Verdes Peninsula in Los Angeles County, is a gated community.
The 19th-century homes in Rolling Hills take residents and visitors back to a simpler time.
Another point of interest to Rolling Hills is its low crime rate.
Rolling Hills often has an A+ rating for safety.
There were three reported burglaries in the city in 2020, down from the six reported burglaries in 2019.
There were three reported thefts in 2020, compared to two reported thefts in 2019.
No other crimes were reported to the authorities.
There were 0 reported violent crimes in Rolling Hills in 2020.
The city is safer than 94 percent of the cities in the U.S.
3. Bell Gardens
The history of Bell Gardens, California dates to the 1700s.
Many immigrant families settled in what was then an agricultural community.
The well-maintained parks, stocked fishing lake, and the many things to see and do in what is now mostly an urban community attract visitors and residents.
Bell Gardens is a younger city, having been incorporated in 1961.
The population then was approximately 4,000 residents.
It now has approximately 44,000 residents.
The low crime rate is likely one point that many people consider when they choose Bell Gardens as their home.
Some crimes, including the number of assaults and rapes, increased slightly from 2019 through 2020.
Most crimes, including the number of reported robberies, thefts, and burglaries decreased in 2020, compared to 2019.
4. Mar Vista
Mar Vista is known for its many beautiful parks, its international schools, and its quiet lifestyle.
It is also known for its low crime rate.
It is one of the safest cities in Los Angeles County.
The city has an estimated 204 violent crimes per 100,000 people, compared to 422 incidents of violent crime per 100,000 people in California.
The city is safer than 78 percent of California cities.
Mar Vista also has a much lower crime rate when compared to the national average.
Hidden Hills is an exclusive community often recognized as being a hidden oasis for actors and celebrities.
The nature reserve, parks, hiking and biking trails, and planned activities are some features enjoyed by residents.
Area Vibes indicates that the number of violent crimes that occur in Hidden Hills is 86 percent lower than the national average.
The number of murders in Hidden Hills is 0.0 per 100,000 people, compared to 5.6 per 100,000 people in California.
There are 0.0 reported robberies in Hidden Hills per 100,000 people, compared to 113.6 in California and 73.9 per 100,000 people nationwide.
6. Tujunga
Tujunga is a picturesque area of Los Angeles County.
The diverse community has a small-town, close-knit feel even though it is a part of Los Angeles County.
The upscale area is home to residents who want the assurance of living in a safe area.
There are an estimated 196 violent crimes per 100,000 people in Tujunga.
Compare this rate to the 442 per 100,000 violent crimes in the State of California, and 388 violent crimes per 100,000 people in the U.S.
7. Bel Air
Nestled in the foothills of the Santa Monica Mountains is Bel Air, California.
Bel Air has a population of just under 25,000 residents.
The population density is 91 percent lower than the population density of Los Angeles.
The high cost of living may be a factor in the number of residents who live in the luxury community.
The crime rate in Bel Air, California is much lower than in many other areas.
The city is safer than 89 percent of other cities in California.
There are an estimated 127 violent crimes committed per 100,000 people, compared to 722 violent crimes per 100,000 people in the city of Los Angeles.
8. Palos Verdes Estates
Palos Verdes Estates is among the wealthiest cities in the U.S.
It was once ranked in the top 50 areas with the most expensive housing.
The city has some of the top-performing schools in California. It also is among the cities with the lowest crime rate.
A report published by the National Council for Home Safety and Security ranked Palos Verdes Estates as the fourth-safest city in California.
The 2018 report was based on the FBI Uniform Crime statistics for cities that have more than 10,000 people.
Palos Verdes Estates is safer than 99 percent of the cities in California and safer than 87 percent of the cities within the U.S.
Violent crimes are 92 percent lower than the national average.
Property crimes are also much lower in Palos Verdes Estates, compared to the number of property crimes committed across California and across the country.
9. Hasley Canyon
Hasley Canyon is a small city with just under 1,500 residents.
The natural beauty and quiet neighborhoods are some features that may attract residents.
Approximately 94 percent of people who live in Hasley Canyon own their home.
The low crime rate gives the city high rankings for safety.
There are 362 crimes per 100,000 people, compared to 2,581 crimes per 100,000 people in California.
There are an estimated 62 violent crimes per 100,000 people, compared to 442 per 100,000 people in the state.
The year-over-year crime rate in Hasley County dropped by seven percent.
10. Glendale
Glendale is the fourth-largest city in Los Angeles County.
The city has 11 properties on the National Register of Historic Places.
It prides itself on its historic architecture, clean neighborhoods, and clean streets.
The city has a reputation for being one of the safest cities in the Los Angeles area.
It was named the ninth-safest city in the U.S. in 2014, the same year that it was deemed the safest mid-sized city in the country.
Glendale has an estimated 1,148 crimes per 100,000 people, which is lower than the state and national averages.
Most crimes are property crimes, with an estimated 859 property crimes per 100,000 people.
There are an estimated 289 violent crimes per 100,000 people.
5 Safety Tips for Traveling to Los Angeles County
1. Be aware of your surroundings
Los Angeles County has several cities and neighborhoods that are not safe.
Be mindful of the fact that even in a safer city, you should pay attention to your surroundings.
2. Do not go to Downtown Los Angeles alone at night
You may want to be the life of the party, but safety comes first.
Go to the restaurants, bars, or nightclubs in a group.
3. Do not stay in Downtown Los Angeles hotels
Book your hotel room in a safer city.
Make sure that the hotel parking lot is well-lit and that no one is hanging around the property.
4. Enjoy the things to see and do in groups
Los Angeles County has breathtaking views, exclusive communities, and opportunities to get a glimpse of celebrities.
Enjoy all that the area has to offer with family or friends.
5. Do not flash the cash
Keep your cash hidden away from pickpockets.
Avoid becoming a victim of a violent crime by keeping your cash in your wallet until you are ready to pay for purchases.
Los Angeles Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Los Angeles Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
- MUGGING RISK: HIGH
- TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM
- SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: MEDIUM
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the hiking and biking trails safe in Los Angeles County?
Yes, if you visit the safest cities in Los Angeles County.
You should still take a friend on the trails with you.
Are the beaches safe in Los Angeles County?
The beaches in Los Angeles County are generally safe when you protect yourself from becoming a crime victim.
Do not take valuables to the beach.
Stay in areas where there are other people.
How does crime in Los Angeles County compare to other California counties?
California had significant increases in property crimes and violent crimes in 2021, compared to 2020.
The Public Policy Institute of California shows that the increase in Los Angeles County was smaller than most other counties.
Property crimes and violent crimes increased by less than 10 percent.
Living in Los Angeles County may be exciting for many people, but the high crime rate is a major concern. While some cities in the county, such as La Habra Heights and Rolling Hills, offer a safer lifestyle with beautiful views and low crime rates, it is important to always be aware of your surroundings and take precautions when traveling to or living in the county.