Downtown Neighborhood, Los Angeles

Crime Rate & Statistics

C-

Below-average safety — crime is somewhat above average

Safer than 3% of neighborhoods in Los Angeles

Safety at a Glance

Overall Crime High

Low 162 / 300 High

Violent Crime 150

50% above national avg

Property Crime 147

47% above national avg

City Ranking

safer than other

Los Angeles neighborhoods

Check a specific address

in Los Angeles

Is Downtown Safe?

Not really — crime is above the national average. Downtown in Los Angeles, CA has a safety grade of C-. The overall crime index is 162, which is 62% above the national average of 100. Downtown is safer than 3% of neighborhoods in Los Angeles.

Compared to the Los Angeles average (crime index 124), Downtown is 38% higher in overall crime. Residents and visitors should exercise extra caution in this area, particularly after dark.

Looking at specific crime types, vehicle theft is the most elevated concern (index: 171, 71% above average), while robbery is the lowest risk (index: 116).

Highest Risk

Vehicle Theft · Index 171 (71% above avg)

Lowest Risk

Robbery · Index 116 (16% above avg)

Downtown Crime Breakdown

Crime indices compared to national average (100) and Los Angeles city average. Higher values mean more crime.

Crime Type	Index	vs National	vs Los Angeles	Risk Level
Violent Crime
Murder	162	+62%	+42%	High
Assault	161	+61%	+30%	High
Robbery	116	+16%	+12%	Moderate
Rape	160	+60%	N/A	High
Property Crime
Burglary	123	+23%	+35%	Moderate
Larceny / Theft	148	+48%	+34%	Moderate
Vehicle Theft	171	+71%	+44%	High

How Downtown Compares

Crime index by category: Downtown vs Los Angeles average vs national average.

Crime by Category

Overall Crime Comparison

Downtown Crime Map

Crime heatmap based on block-group level data. Red areas indicate higher crime density.

Full Screen Map

Crime Level: Low Below Avg Average Above Avg High

See the crime score for a specific address

Downtown Demographics & Context

Population

60,963

Median Income

$38,844

Home Value

$759,489

Median Age

Pop. Density

9,502/mi²

Education

Bachelor's Degree 19.1%

Graduate Degree 10.5%

Housing

11%

89%

Owner-occupied Renter-occupied

Racial Demographics

White 28.8%

Black 20.7%

Hispanic 27.9%

Asian 31.4%

Nearby Neighborhoods

Westlake Index: 163

C-

Historic South Central Index: 112

B+

Pico-Union Index: 152

University Park Index: 152

Boyle Heights Index: 108

B+

Central-Alameda Index: 107

B+

Elysian Park Index: 146

C+

Echo Park Index: 138

B-

Downtown Crime Map

Interactive crime heatmap for this neighborhood

Los Angeles Crime Statistics

View all Los Angeles neighborhoods & city-wide data

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Downtown, Los Angeles?

Downtown in Los Angeles, CA has a crime safety grade of C- as of 2026. The overall crime index is 162, which is 62% above the national average. Compared to the Los Angeles average, crime in Downtown is 38% higher. Downtown is safer than 3% of neighborhoods in Los Angeles.

Is Downtown a safe neighborhood in Los Angeles?

Downtown has a moderate level of crime with a safety grade of C-. Residents should take standard precautions. The highest concern is Vehicle Theft (index: 171), while Robbery is the lowest risk (index: 116). It is one of the higher-crime neighborhoods in Los Angeles.

How does Downtown compare to the rest of Los Angeles?

Downtown's overall crime index is 162, compared to the Los Angeles average of 124. This means crime in Downtown is 38% higher than the city average. For violent crime, the index is 150, and for property crime it is 147. However, crime can vary block by block, so checking the crime map for specific streets is recommended.

What type of crime is most common in Downtown?

The most prevalent crime type in Downtown is Vehicle Theft, with a crime index of 171 (71% above the national average). Violent crime is a particular concern in this neighborhood relative to property crime.

What are safer neighborhoods near Downtown?

Nearby neighborhoods with good safety ratings include Historic South Central, Boyle Heights, Central-Alameda and Echo Park. These areas are close to Downtown and offer lower crime rates, making them worth considering for residents who prioritize safety.

What are the demographics of Downtown?

Downtown has a population of approximately 60,963. The median household income is $38,844. The median home value is $759,489. Research shows that economic factors can correlate with crime rates, though many other variables play a role in neighborhood safety.

How does Downtown crime compare to the national average?

Downtown's overall crime rate is 62% above the national average (index 162 vs 100). Within Los Angeles, it is safer than 3% of neighborhoods. For the most accurate picture, review the per-crime-type breakdown above, as some categories may differ significantly from the overall trend.

Crime data sourced from FBI UCR reports and local law enforcement agencies. Crime indices use 100 as the national average. Updated April 2026.