Lafayette, CA Crime Map

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Lafayette, CA Crime & Safety

Is Lafayette, CA safe in 2026?

Lafayette earns an overall crime grade of A-, placing it firmly in the "Very Safe" category. Of the 31 neighborhoods analyzed across the city, 93.5% received an A grade and the remaining 6.5% received a B grade — meaning every single neighborhood in Lafayette falls within the safe-to-very-safe range. Not one neighborhood was rated C, D, or F. Areas like Burton Valley (pop. 5,184), Happy Valley Improvement Association (pop. 3,074), and Quandt Area all hold A+ ratings, the highest possible designation. Even Lafayette's highest-crime area, Downtown Lafayette, earns a B+ — a grade that would be considered excellent in most other cities. Lafayette's low poverty rate of 3.4% and a median household income of $188,140 further reinforce the structural conditions that support community safety.

What is the crime rate in Lafayette, CA?

Rather than relying on a single number, Lafayette's crime picture is best understood through its grade distribution. 29 out of 31 neighborhoods (93.5%) earned an A grade, and the remaining 2 neighborhoods — Downtown Lafayette (B+) and Circle Creek (A-) — still rank well above average compared to California as a whole. The city-wide safety rating is classified as Very Safe (A), reflecting consistently low crime activity across virtually all residential and commercial corridors. Lafayette's population density of just 666 residents per square mile also limits the concentration of crime that typically affects more urbanized communities. In short, Lafayette's crime rate is among the lowest of any city in Contra Costa County.

What are the safest neighborhoods in Lafayette?

Ten neighborhoods in Lafayette hold the top A+ safety grade, the highest tier in our analysis. Here's how they break down by population and median household income:

• Rancho View Knolls — A+, median income $263,854
• Johnson Road — A+, median income $263,848
• Green Valley — A+, median income $263,854
• Echo Springs — A+, median income $253,414
• Happy Valley Highlands — A+, median income $224,034
• Rose Lane — A+, median income $222,607
• Happy Valley Improvement Association — A+, median income $225,780 (pop. 3,074)
• Burton Valley — A+, median income $193,943 (pop. 5,184 — the largest A+ neighborhood)
• Quandt Area — A+, median income $186,617
• Secluded Valley — A+, median income $186,334

Burton Valley stands out as both the largest and one of the most accessible A+ neighborhoods, with a median income closer to the city average — making it a strong choice for families prioritizing safety without exclusively targeting the city's wealthiest enclaves.

Which areas of Lafayette have the most crime?

Lafayette's "higher crime" areas are still objectively safe by any regional benchmark. Downtown Lafayette is the only neighborhood rated below an A, earning a B+ — a reflection of the slightly elevated activity typical of any city's commercial center. Circle Creek follows with an A-, and neighborhoods like Pleasant Hills and Valleys and Reliez Valley both hold solid A grades. Importantly, 0% of Lafayette's neighborhoods received a C, D, or F grade. Residents and prospective buyers evaluating Downtown Lafayette should note that a B+ still represents a very low-crime environment — the designation simply reflects that it sees modestly more activity than the surrounding residential neighborhoods.

Is Lafayette a good place to live and raise a family?

By nearly every measurable indicator, Lafayette ranks as one of the most family-friendly cities in the Bay Area. 100% of its 31 analyzed neighborhoods are rated B or higher, with 93.5% earning an A grade. The city's median home value of $1,558,000 and median household income of $188,140 reflect a community of significant economic stability, while a poverty rate of just 3.4% and unemployment rate of 4.2% indicate a resilient local economy. Neighborhoods like Happy Valley Improvement Association and Burton Valley combine large residential populations with A+ safety grades, making them particularly well-suited for families. The combination of top-tier schools, low crime density (666 residents per sq mi), and a median rent of $2,273 rounds out a quality-of-life profile that is difficult to match in the broader Contra Costa County region.

How does Lafayette compare to other cities in safety?

Lafayette's city-wide grade of A- with a Very Safe classification puts it in a rare tier among California cities. The fact that not a single one of its 31 neighborhoods received a grade below B is statistically exceptional — most comparably sized cities have at least some pockets rated C or lower. With 93.5% of neighborhoods at the A level and the bottom of the distribution anchored at B+ (Downtown Lafayette), Lafayette's floor for safety is higher than the average ceiling in many surrounding communities. Its low population density, high median income, and near-zero poverty rate collectively create conditions that are strongly correlated with low crime across all major crime categories.