Altadena, CA Crime Map

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Crime in Altadena, CA

What is Altadena's overall crime grade?

Altadena earns an overall crime grade of C+ for 2026, placing it in a middle tier compared to other communities in Los Angeles County. This grade reflects a mix of property and violent crime activity that is neither alarmingly high nor exceptionally low. With a population of approximately 43,037 residents spread across a density of about 1,962 people per square mile, crime exposure is moderate. The C+ grade means that while Altadena is livable and many residents feel safe day-to-day, exercising standard precautions — particularly around property security — remains important.

Is Altadena safe to live in?

Altadena is considered a moderately safe community, reflected in its C+ overall crime grade. Several socioeconomic indicators support relative stability: the median household income is $100,806, the poverty rate is a relatively low 7.6%, and the median home value sits at $798,684 — all factors that correlate with lower crime risk. That said, an unemployment rate of 6.3% is slightly elevated, which can contribute to property crime pressures in some pockets of the community. Neighborhoods closer to the foothills near the Angeles National Forest and areas around Farnsworth Park tend to report fewer incidents, while corridors with higher commercial traffic see more property-related activity. Overall, Altadena is a reasonable choice for families and professionals who stay engaged with local safety resources.

What types of crime are most common in Altadena?

Property crimes make up the dominant share of incidents reported in Altadena. Residential burglary, vehicle theft, and theft from vehicles are the most frequently occurring offense types, consistent with suburban communities of similar density (roughly 1,962 residents per square mile). Violent crimes — including assault and robbery — do occur but represent a smaller proportion of total incidents. Substance-related offenses also appear in the data, particularly in areas with higher foot traffic. The C+ crime grade signals that property crime rates are meaningfully above what you'd find in the safest California suburbs, but violent crime rates remain well below those of dense urban cores in Los Angeles County. Residents near Lake Avenue and commercial stretches should be especially attentive to vehicle security.

How does Altadena's crime rate compare to similar communities?

With a C+ crime grade, Altadena sits in the middle of the pack when benchmarked against comparable unincorporated communities in Los Angeles County. Its strong median income of $100,806 and low poverty rate of 7.6% give it a socioeconomic profile that typically correlates with safer neighborhoods — yet the crime grade suggests crime rates are somewhat higher than income and home-value figures alone might predict. This gap is partly explained by the community's proximity to higher-density urban areas and its moderate unemployment rate of 6.3%. Communities with similar income profiles but lower population density and unemployment tend to score in the B range, meaning Altadena has measurable room for improvement through sustained community policing and neighborhood watch engagement.

What are the safest neighborhoods in Altadena?

While granular neighborhood-level crime grades are not individually published for every block, patterns in the data point to the foothills areas — particularly near Farnsworth Park, the historic districts along La Vina Street, and residential pockets adjacent to the Eaton Canyon Preserve — as among the quieter zones in Altadena. These areas benefit from lower population density, higher owner-occupancy rates, and active community involvement. By contrast, higher-traffic corridors near Lake Avenue and Lincoln Avenue show more property crime activity. When evaluating a specific address, cross-referencing the Altadena crime map with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department data portal will give the most precise, up-to-date picture for that micro-location.

Is Altadena a good place to buy a home given the crime data?

From a real estate and safety perspective, Altadena presents a nuanced picture. The median home value of $798,684 and median household income of $100,806 signal a desirable, high-demand market — and demand itself is partly a proxy for perceived safety and quality of life. The C+ crime grade means buyers should factor in security upgrades (cameras, alarm systems, reinforced locks) as part of their homeownership budget, particularly for properties in higher-activity corridors. The relatively low poverty rate of 7.6% and the community's access to open space and good schools continue to attract families. Prospective buyers are advised to review block-level crime data on the Altadena crime map before finalizing a purchase, paying particular attention to burglary and vehicle theft trends in the immediate vicinity of any property under consideration.