Poway, CA Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 88% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Poway Safe?
Yes — Poway is safe overall
A safe city with below-average crime, though safety varies by neighborhood.
Poway has a crime rate that is 47% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 265.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 265
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
1% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 75
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
27% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Poway 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
|
72 | -28% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
76 | -24% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
165 | +65% | Moderate | |
|
Rape
|
143 | +43% | Moderate | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
90 | -10% | Average | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
58 | -42% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
86 | -14% | Average | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Poway Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Poway Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Poway zip codes.
Poway Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Poway, CA?
Poway, CA has a crime safety grade of A- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 47% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 265 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 75 chance for property crime. Poway has lower crime than 88% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Poway, CA safe to live in?
Poway is generally considered a safe place to live, earning a crime grade of A-. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Poway is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Poway?
The estimated violent crime rate in Poway is 376.8 per 100,000 residents, which is 1% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 265 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 3.6 per 100K (28% below average); aggravated assault at 203.0 per 100K (24% below average); robbery at 122.3 per 100K (65% above average).
What is the property crime rate in Poway?
The estimated property crime rate in Poway is 1,331.3 per 100,000 residents, which is 27% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 75 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 242.2 per 100K (10% below average); larceny/theft at 814.2 per 100K (42% below average); vehicle theft at 274.9 per 100K (14% below average).
How does Poway crime compare to the national average?
Poway's overall crime rate is 47% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is robbery (65% above average), while larceny/theft is 42% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Poway has lower crime than 88% of them.
Is Poway safe to visit?
Poway is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 27% 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 Poway crime compare to the rest of California?
California as a whole has crime that is 9% above the national average. Poway's crime rate is 47% below the national average, making it safer the typical California city.
What type of crime is most common in Poway?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Poway, with an estimated rate of 814.2 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 42% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,331 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (377 per 100K) in Poway, which is consistent with national trends.