Imperial, CA Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 52% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Imperial Safe?
Mostly yes — Imperial is fairly safe
Crime is slightly below the national average, though some areas may vary.
Imperial has a crime rate that is 22% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 421.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 421
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
38% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 55
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
1% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Imperial 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
|
90 | -10% | Average | |
|
Assault
|
56 | -44% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
80 | -20% | Average | |
|
Rape
|
71 | -29% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
71 | -29% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
94 | -6% | Average | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
96 | -4% | Average | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Imperial Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Imperial Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Imperial zip codes.
Imperial Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Imperial, CA?
Imperial, CA has a crime safety grade of B- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 22% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 421 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 55 chance for property crime. Imperial has lower crime than 52% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Imperial, CA safe to live in?
Imperial is generally considered a safe place to live, earning a crime grade of B-. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Imperial is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Imperial?
The estimated violent crime rate in Imperial is 237.8 per 100,000 residents, which is 38% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 421 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 4.5 per 100K (10% below average); aggravated assault at 150.1 per 100K (44% below average); robbery at 59.4 per 100K (20% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Imperial?
The estimated property crime rate in Imperial is 1,808.9 per 100,000 residents, which is 1% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 55 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 191.0 per 100K (29% below average); larceny/theft at 1,311.3 per 100K (6% below average); vehicle theft at 306.6 per 100K (4% below average).
How does Imperial crime compare to the national average?
Imperial's overall crime rate is 22% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is vehicle theft (4% below average), while assault is 44% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Imperial has lower crime than 52% of them.
Is Imperial safe to visit?
Imperial is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 1% below 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.
How does Imperial crime compare to the rest of California?
California as a whole has crime that is 9% above the national average. Imperial's crime rate is 22% below the national average, making it safer the typical California city.
What type of crime is most common in Imperial?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Imperial, with an estimated rate of 1,311.3 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 6% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,809 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (238 per 100K) in Imperial, which is consistent with national trends.