Irvine, California is a modern town in Orange County, 45 miles south of Los Angeles, with all the style that the area has to offer. It became a city in 1971 and has a population of 282,584. It is home to many national and international corporations in the tech industry, as well as home to eight universities. The area has a deep history, with Spanish explorers and missionaries settling there in the late 18th century. In the late 19th century the land that would become Irvine belonged to James Irvine, it was used then for farming and sheep grazing. The city was planned with much detail by a native Californian architect and the Irvine Company.
Irvine is nestled between national and state parks and the coast, and the city offers many closer options for enjoying the outdoors at city park and trails. It also boasts an impressive culinary scene with locally sourced food. If Irvine sounds like it could be your next home, you’ll want to know if it is a safe place to live.
Irvine crime rates are 51% lower than the California average and 45% lower than the national average. Irvine is a relatively safe city. Crime rates in Irvine have fallen overall the last 10 years. There is a median household income of $101,667 and a median home sale price of $955,000. Professional, scientific, and technology industries are prevalent in Irvine. If you’re considering a move to Irvine, our guide provides a more detailed look at crime in the area, including the safest Irvine neighborhoods.
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Understanding the Crime Rate in Irvine
How are crime rates interpreted and reviewed? When crime rates are calculated by law enforcement, the number of reported crimes is first divided by the city’s population, then that amount is multiplied by 100,000. Overall crime is calculated and then also separated into two separate categories, property crime and violent crime. Property crime includes charges such as burglary, theft, arson, and vandalism. Violent crime include offenses such as assault, homicide, aggravated assault, robbery, rape, and murder. The data is from the FBI Uniform Crime Statistics – 2019.
Here’s a quick look at total crime rates in Irvine:
- Irvine total crimes: 3,819
- Irvine total crime rate: 1,326 per 100,000 people
- Chance of being a victim of a crime in Irvine: 1 in 75
Each city’s police department and/or government website provides crime information. It’s an easy way to get a look at Irvine crime trends. Click here to review crime information from the Irvine Police. Click here to review the Irvine CA crime map.
Violent Crime in Irvine
Whenever relocating, violent crime is often something that many people want to know about. The good news is that violent crime in Irvine has had an overall decrease since 2004. The violent crime rate in Irvine is 56 per 100,000 which is much lower than both the national average of 381 per 100,000 and the rate in California as a whole of 447 per 100,000. The chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime in Irvine is lower than that of many surrounding cities of the same population. Irvine has been rated as having one of the lowest violent crime rates among cities with over 100,000 inhabitants by the FBI every year since 2005.
- Irvine Murder Rate: 0 per 100,000 people
- Irvine Total Violent Crimes: 160
- 1 in 1,800 chance of being the victim of a violent crime in Irvine
Property Crime in Irvine
Though property crime often doesn’t make you fear for your life, it’s important to know the stats so you can protect your belongings. In most places, property crime is higher than violent crime, and that rings true in Irvine. Even then, Irvine remains a very safe city. Property crime rates in Irvine are almost 50% lower than both California and the United States. The most common property crime in Irvine is theft.
- Irvine total property crimes: 3,659
- Irvine Property Crime Rate: 1,270
- 1 in 79 chance of being the victim of a property crime in Irvine
Most Dangerous Neighborhoods of Irvine
Neighborhoods vary wildly depending on where they are located in the city. This is true with crime rates as well. Some parts of Irvine do have higher crime than other parts, and if you want to keep your family safe, this is something you should consider before moving. When Irvine was first developed, neighborhoods were referred to as villages, each with its own unique style of homes. In Irvine, the least safe neighborhoods are:
Quail Hill
- Population: 885
- Crime rate: 300% higher than the Irvine average
Quail Hill is one of the smaller neighborhoods in Irvine and is close to the University of California Irvine. Property crime is the main reason for the vast difference in crime compared to Irvine as a whole. Year over year crime has decreased by 3% though. Cost of living is 15% below the average in Irvine and the real estate prices are 61% below the average for Irvine.
Business District
- Population: 7,336
- Crime rate: 400% higher than the Irvine average
The Business District has a cost of living which is 22% lower than the average of Irvine and real estate prices are 47% lower. The area provides residents a busy urban feel, and most of the residents are young business professionals. The median household income is lower than that of Irvine, at $90,087.
Walnut Village
- Population: 9,197
- Crime rate: 31% higher than the Irvine average, but 33% lower than the national average
Walnut Village is on the northeast side of Irvine. The crime rate isn’t remarkably higher than that of Irvine, but it is still considered a dangerous area of Irvine. The cost of living here is 3% lower. Real estate prices are 11% lower than the Irvine average as well.
Safest Areas in Irvine
Although Irvine is a safe city overall, there are some neighborhoods which are safer than others. Here’s a look at some of the safest neighborhoods in Irvine:
Turtle Rock
- Population: 10,223
- Crime rate: 27% lower than the Irvine average
- The crime rate is 994 per 100,000 people
Turtle Rock is a charming neighborhood in southern Irvine and sits directly to the east of The University of California Irvine. It’s home to two different golf clubs, has grade schools close by, and a community park. Median income in Turtle Rock is $134,619 and cost of living is 28% higher than the average in Irvine as a whole.
Woodbridge
- Population: 25,315
- Crime rate: 30% lower than the Irvine average
- The crime rate is 966 per 100,000 people
Woodbridge is in central Irvine and has two artificial lakes. While crime rates are lower in Woodbridge than Irving as a whole, the cost of living is 6% lower, making it an ideal value if safety is one of your top priorities. Real estate prices are also lower, with the median home sale price being $769,500, making the market very competitive.
Shady Canyon
- Population: 864
- Crime rate: 60% lower than the Irvine average
- The crime rate is 584 per 100,000 people
Shady Canyon boasts a rural feel in style. There is a 4 mile walking trail that exhibits unique rock formations and local wildlife, as well as the Shady Canyon Golf Club. Median income is $117,143 and the current median home sale price is about $4.5 million, but tends to vary since it is a smaller neighborhood, depending on what is available.
Irvine Safety Tips – How to Avoid Crime in Irvine
- Don’t walk around alone, especially at night.
- Get to know your neighbors
- Be aware of your surroundings at all times
- Use the City of Irvine crime map regularly to stay current with where criminal activities occur in the city
Irvine Police Department
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The Irvine Police Department was established in 1975, four years after the incorporation of the city. The first police chief was Leo Peary, and the department consisted of 41 officers and 10 employees working out of a portable trailer. Their first police cars were white with green and blue racing stripes to proudly display the city’s colors. Currently, the department is focusing on expanding and growing with the times in order to serve the largest landmass city in Orange County. Irvine has a population of 292,673 and a total of 325 law enforcement employees, with 224 of those being officers. There are 0.8 officers per 1,000 residents.
Irvine Police Headquarters
1 Civic Center Plaza Irvine, CA 92606-5207 (949) 724-7000
Irvine Crime Rates FAQ
What is the crime rate in Irvine, California?
Irvine’s total crime rate is 1,326 per 100,000 people. There is a 1 in 75 chance of being a victim of a crime in Irvine.
What are the worst areas of Irvine?
Although all areas of Irvine have relatively low crime rates, the most dangerous areas in Irvine include Quail Hill, Business District, Walnut Village.
Is Irvine safer than Los Angeles?
Total crime rates in Los Angeles are higher than Irvine.
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