Cedar City, UT Crime Map

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Crime in Cedar City, UT

What is Cedar City's overall crime grade?

Cedar City earns an overall crime grade of B+, which places it well above average compared to similarly sized cities across the United States. With a population of approximately 33,404 residents spread across a relatively low-density area of 359 people per square mile, the city benefits from a community scale that supports stronger neighborhood cohesion and faster law enforcement response times. A B+ grade means that while crime is not entirely absent, the vast majority of residents go about their daily lives without encountering serious criminal incidents. Property crimes such as theft and vehicle burglary account for the largest share of reported incidents, while violent crime rates remain notably low relative to national benchmarks.

How does Cedar City's poverty rate affect its crime profile?

Cedar City's poverty rate of 20.5% is a meaningful data point when interpreting its crime landscape. Research consistently shows a correlation between economic hardship and property crime rates, and Cedar City is no exception — theft and vandalism represent the most frequently reported offense categories. However, the city's median household income of $52,524 and relatively affordable median home value of $226,815 suggest a stable middle-income core that helps buffer against more severe crime patterns. The unemployment rate of 5.5% is slightly above the national average, which can contribute to opportunistic property crimes, particularly in commercial corridors and transitional neighborhoods. Despite these economic pressures, the city's B+ crime grade reflects that community institutions and law enforcement are effectively managing the overall safety environment.

What are the safest areas in Cedar City?

Neighborhoods in the northern and western portions of Cedar City — often referred to locally as North Cedar and West Cedar — consistently report lower incidences of both property and violent crime. Areas adjacent to Southern Utah University also tend to maintain stronger safety profiles, partly due to campus security presence and the demographic stability that an active university community provides. Downtown Cedar City sees a higher concentration of reported incidents simply due to foot traffic and commercial activity, but the types of crimes reported there are predominantly minor in nature — petty theft and vandalism rather than violent offenses. Residents evaluating specific streets or blocks are encouraged to consult the interactive crime map on this page, which filters incidents by category and time period.

Is Cedar City safe compared to other Utah cities?

Cedar City's B+ overall crime grade positions it favorably within Utah's broader urban hierarchy. Its crime profile is consistent with — and in many categories better than — comparably sized Utah communities. The city's population density of just 359 residents per square mile is a significant safety factor; lower-density environments typically experience fewer street-level crimes and faster emergency response coverage. The median rent of $809 per month reflects housing affordability that reduces residential instability, another key predictor of neighborhood crime rates. Taken together, Cedar City's data profile suggests a community where safety is above the national norm for cities of its size, making it a reasonable choice for families, retirees, and students evaluating relocation options in southern Utah.

What types of crime are most common in Cedar City?

Based on reported incident data, property crimes represent the dominant category of offenses in Cedar City. Theft — including shoplifting, vehicle break-ins, and residential burglary — accounts for the largest share of police reports. Vandalism and mischief incidents tend to cluster in public spaces, parks, and along commercial strips, with a seasonal uptick observed during warmer months when outdoor activity increases. Violent crimes, including assault, make up a significantly smaller proportion of total incidents and are largely concentrated in specific high-traffic areas rather than distributed evenly across all neighborhoods. This crime composition — heavy on property offenses, light on violence — is typical of communities with Cedar City's demographic and economic profile, and it reinforces the city's B+ safety grade as an accurate reflection of day-to-day conditions for most residents.

Is Cedar City a good place to live from a safety standpoint?

By the numbers, Cedar City presents a compelling safety case. A crime grade of B+, a median home value of $226,815, and a median household income of $52,524 combine to paint a picture of an affordable, relatively safe small city in southern Utah. The 20.5% poverty rate is worth monitoring, as it correlates with property crime vulnerability in certain pockets of the city, but it has not translated into the elevated violent crime rates seen in higher-poverty urban environments. The city's low population density — 359 people per square mile — means that even in areas with slightly elevated crime activity, incidents are more dispersed and less concentrated than in dense urban cores. For families, students attending Southern Utah University, and retirees seeking a scenic, manageable city, Cedar City's safety data supports a positive quality-of-life assessment.