Ventura, CA Crime Rate & Safety

Ventura, CA has a crime safety grade of B- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 28% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 373 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 70 chance for property crime. Ventura has lower crime than 59% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).

Ventura is generally considered a safe place to live, earning a crime grade of B-. Approximately 95% of the city's 19 neighborhoods are rated A or B for safety. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. For example, Juanamaria is one of the safest areas, while Olivas has higher crime rates. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Ventura is strongly recommended.

Based on 2026 crime data, the safest neighborhoods in Ventura are Juanamaria, College, Hillsides, North Avenue, and Pierpont. 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 Ventura include Olivas, Westside, Thille, Downtown, and Wells. 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 Ventura is 268.1 per 100,000 residents, which is 30% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 373 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 3.7 per 100K (26% below average); aggravated assault at 195.8 per 100K (27% below average); robbery at 50.8 per 100K (31% below average).

The estimated property crime rate in Ventura is 1,436.2 per 100,000 residents, which is 22% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 70 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 187.2 per 100K (31% below average); larceny/theft at 1,031.7 per 100K (26% below average); vehicle theft at 217.3 per 100K (32% below average).

Ventura's overall crime rate is 28% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is murder (26% below average), while rape is 47% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Ventura has lower crime than 59% of them.

Ventura is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 22% 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 Juanamaria, College, Hillsides.

California as a whole has crime that is 9% above the national average. Ventura's crime rate is 28% below the national average, making it safer the typical California city.

Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Ventura, with an estimated rate of 1,031.7 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 26% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,436 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (268 per 100K) in Ventura, which is consistent with national trends.