Lake Forest, CA Crime Rate & Safety

Lake Forest, CA has a crime safety grade of B as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 31% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 404 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 84 chance for property crime. Lake Forest has lower crime than 64% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).

Lake Forest is generally considered a safe place to live, earning a crime grade of B. Approximately 100% of the city's 7 neighborhoods are rated A or B for safety. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. For example, Rancho Serrano is one of the safest areas, while Rancho de Los Alisos has higher crime rates. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Lake Forest is strongly recommended.

Based on 2026 crime data, the safest neighborhoods in Lake Forest are Rancho Serrano, Lake Forest, Pacific Commercentre, Serrano Highlands, and Baker Ranch. These areas have significantly lower crime rates than the city average and are popular choices for families, professionals, and anyone prioritizing safety.

The neighborhoods with the highest crime rates in Lake Forest include Rancho de Los Alisos, El Toro, Baker Ranch, Serrano Highlands, and Pacific Commercentre. These areas experience significantly more crime than the city average. Visitors and prospective residents should exercise extra caution in these neighborhoods, particularly at night.

The estimated violent crime rate in Lake Forest is 247.4 per 100,000 residents, which is 35% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 404 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 4.3 per 100K (14% below average); aggravated assault at 158.5 per 100K (41% below average); robbery at 56.8 per 100K (23% below average).

The estimated property crime rate in Lake Forest is 1,190.3 per 100,000 residents, which is 35% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 84 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 124.4 per 100K (54% below average); larceny/theft at 828.5 per 100K (41% below average); vehicle theft at 237.4 per 100K (26% below average).

Lake Forest's overall crime rate is 31% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is murder (14% below average), while burglary is 54% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Lake Forest has lower crime than 64% of them.

Lake Forest is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 35% 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. Popular, safer areas for visitors include Rancho Serrano, Lake Forest, Pacific Commercentre.

California as a whole has crime that is 9% above the national average. Lake Forest's crime rate is 31% below the national average, making it safer the typical California city.

Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Lake Forest, with an estimated rate of 828.5 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 41% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,190 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (247 per 100K) in Lake Forest, which is consistent with national trends.