Gardena, CA Crime Rate & Safety
Higher crime than 86% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Gardena Safe?
Not really — crime is above the national average
Neighborhood choice matters significantly. Stay aware of your surroundings, especially at night.
Gardena has a crime rate that is 43% above the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 184.
However, safety varies dramatically by neighborhood. Areas like Harbor Gateway earn an B safety grade, while Harbor Gateway rates B. Understanding which neighborhoods are safe is critical for anyone living in, moving to, or visiting Gardena.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 184
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
43% higher than national average
Property Crime
1 in 34
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
58% higher than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Gardena Crime Breakdown
Estimated crime rates based on FBI UCR data, calibrated to city-level crime score.
| Crime Type | Index | vs National | Risk Level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | ||||
|
Murder
|
133 | +33% | Moderate | |
|
Assault
|
155 | +55% | Moderate | |
|
Robbery
|
117 | +17% | Average | |
|
Rape
|
105 | +5% | Average | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
141 | +41% | Moderate | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
146 | +46% | Moderate | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
150 | +50% | Moderate | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Gardena Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Where Is It Safe in Gardena?
Safety varies dramatically across Gardena's 1+ neighborhoods.
Safest Neighborhoods
Top 1Areas with Higher Crime
Bottom 1Neighborhood Safety Distribution
Out of 1 neighborhoods in Gardena
All Gardena Neighborhoods
| # | Neighborhood | Grade | Crime Index |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Harbor Gateway | B | 104 |
Gardena Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Gardena zip codes.
Gardena Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Gardena, CA?
Gardena, CA has a crime safety grade of C- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 43% above the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 184 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 34 chance for property crime. Gardena has higher crime than 86% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Gardena, CA safe to live in?
Gardena has a moderate level of crime with a safety grade of C-. Approximately 100% of the city's 1 neighborhoods are rated A or B for safety. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. For example, Harbor Gateway is one of the safest areas, while Harbor Gateway has higher crime rates. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Gardena is strongly recommended.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Gardena?
Based on 2026 crime data, the safest neighborhoods in Gardena are Harbor Gateway. These areas have significantly lower crime rates than the city average and are popular choices for families, professionals, and anyone prioritizing safety.
What are the most dangerous areas in Gardena?
The neighborhoods with the highest crime rates in Gardena include Harbor Gateway. These areas experience significantly more crime than the city average. Visitors and prospective residents should exercise extra caution in these neighborhoods, particularly at night.
What is the violent crime rate in Gardena?
The estimated violent crime rate in Gardena is 542.8 per 100,000 residents, which is 43% higher than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 184 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 6.7 per 100K (33% above average); aggravated assault at 414.7 per 100K (55% above average); robbery at 86.3 per 100K (17% above average).
What is the property crime rate in Gardena?
The estimated property crime rate in Gardena is 2,899.3 per 100,000 residents, which is 58% higher than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 34 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 380.4 per 100K (41% above average); larceny/theft at 2,040.4 per 100K (46% above average); vehicle theft at 478.5 per 100K (50% above average).
How does Gardena crime compare to the national average?
Gardena's overall crime rate is 43% above the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is assault (55% above average), while rape is 5% above average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Gardena has higher crime than 86% of them.
Is Gardena safe to visit?
Visitors to Gardena should take standard urban precautions. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 58% above average, which is typically the main concern for tourists. Avoid leaving valuables in vehicles, stay aware of your surroundings in unfamiliar areas, and stick to well-traveled neighborhoods. Popular, safer areas for visitors include Harbor Gateway.
How does Gardena crime compare to the rest of California?
California as a whole has crime that is 9% above the national average. Gardena's crime rate is 43% above the national average, making it more dangerous than the typical California city.
What type of crime is most common in Gardena?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Gardena, with an estimated rate of 2,040.4 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 46% above the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (2,899 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (543 per 100K) in Gardena, which is consistent with national trends.