Duarte, CA Crime Map

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Crime in Duarte, CA

What is Duarte's overall crime grade and what does it mean?

Duarte earns an overall crime grade of C- for 2026, placing it in the lower-middle tier of safety among California cities. This grade reflects a combination of property and violent crime rates measured against state and national benchmarks. For context, a C- indicates that crime occurs at a noticeably higher frequency than in top-rated cities (those grading A or B), but Duarte is not among the most dangerous communities in the region. Residents in areas near Royal Oaks Park and the Duarte Sports Park corridor tend to report a stronger sense of day-to-day safety, while other pockets of the city pull the overall grade down. The C- grade is a useful starting point, but drilling into the crime map by neighborhood gives a much clearer picture of where risk is concentrated.

Is Duarte safe to live in?

Safety in Duarte is mixed. With a population of approximately 21,399 and a population density of about 1,231 residents per square mile, Duarte is relatively low-density compared to neighboring San Gabriel Valley cities, which can work in its favor. The city's median household income of $82,620 and a poverty rate of 9.4% suggest a predominantly stable economic base, and research consistently links lower poverty rates with lower violent crime. That said, an unemployment rate of 8% — above the California average — is a factor that correlates with elevated property crime risk. Families near community anchors like the Duarte Community Center and Sierra Vista High School area generally report safer conditions. Overall, Duarte is livable, but prospective residents should consult the crime map for specific blocks before committing.

What types of crime are most common in Duarte?

Property crime is the dominant category in Duarte, consistent with its C- overall grade. Vehicle theft and burglary account for the largest share of reported incidents, a pattern common across suburban San Gabriel Valley cities. Theft-related offenses — including shoplifting and auto burglary — represent a significant portion of the total crime volume. Violent crimes such as assault and robbery occur at lower rates but are not negligible, particularly in higher-density commercial corridors. Vandalism and disturbance calls round out the incident mix. The crime map's heat-map view makes it easy to see that property crime clusters tend to form near major thoroughfares and retail zones, while residential neighborhoods closer to Duarte Regional Recreation Area show lower incident densities across most categories.

How does Duarte's crime rate compare to nearby cities?

Duarte's C- crime grade puts it below many of its San Gabriel Valley neighbors that score in the B range. Cities with higher median incomes and lower unemployment tend to outperform Duarte on safety metrics. Duarte's 8% unemployment rate is a distinguishing factor — cities in the same income bracket ($82,620 median household income) but with unemployment closer to 5–6% typically earn a full letter grade higher. On the positive side, Duarte's relatively low population density of 1,231 per square mile means crime is less concentrated than in denser urban cores. If you're comparing neighborhoods across cities, use the crime map's boundary filters to do an apples-to-apples comparison at the zip-code or census-tract level.

Which neighborhoods in Duarte have the lowest crime rates?

While Duarte's overall grade is C-, crime is not evenly distributed. Areas surrounding Royal Oaks Park and the neighborhoods adjacent to Duarte Sports Park consistently show lower incident densities on the crime map, benefiting from active neighborhood watch participation and higher rates of homeownership — a factor linked to community investment and lower property crime. The residential streets near Sierra Vista High School also tend to perform better than the city average, with a family-oriented demographic that supports informal surveillance. By contrast, blocks closer to major commercial strips and high-traffic arterials show elevated property crime clusters. For the most granular view, filter the Duarte crime map by incident type and date range to identify the quietest blocks in any given neighborhood.

Is Duarte a good place to buy a home from a safety standpoint?

Duarte's median home value of $518,825 and median rent of $1,627 reflect a market where buyers are paying a significant premium, so safety is a legitimate part of the investment calculus. The C- crime grade suggests buyers should factor in security upgrades — alarm systems, exterior lighting, and reinforced entry points — as standard costs rather than optional extras. On the economic stability side, a 9.4% poverty rate is relatively contained, and the $82,620 median household income indicates a community with meaningful purchasing power. Buyers targeting blocks near Royal Oaks Park or the Duarte Community Center area are likely to find both lower crime exposure and stronger long-term property value stability. Always cross-reference any specific address with the crime map's incident history before making an offer.