Looking for a safe place to live in San Diego County?  Let’s take a look at the safest neighborhoods in the area.  These communities have been ranked according to their crime rates; you can be sure that these are some of the most secure places you can eventually call home. 

Our goal is to provide you with all the necessary information so that you can make an informed decision about where to live.  

To help make your decision easier, we have compiled some information about our favorite neighborhoods within San Diego County!  We hope this gives you an idea about what’s out there before making any decisions on where to buy a property or move into town! 

San Diego Overview

San Diego is the second-largest city in California and one of the largest cities in the United States.  It has a population of over three million people, which makes it an incredibly diverse place to live.  San Diego is known for its beautiful beaches, warm weather, and great food.  

San Diego County is one of the most popular counties for home buyers.  The area has seen tremendous growth over the past few years and continues to attract new residents from all over California.  With so many options available today it can be difficult finding a place that’s right for you. 

How to choose the best neighborhood to live?

If you are not quite sure where to live, you might want to consider these factors before moving.

First, how safe is the neighborhood?  If you have children or pets, it is essential to living somewhere that feels secure.  Crime rates are an excellent place to start your research. 

If you’re concerned about schools for your children or siblings who plan on attending college in a few years, be sure to check the ratings for every school district in San Diego County.

Finally, what is the neighborhood like?  Do people tend to be friendly or keep to themselves? Are there a lot of young families or retirees in the area?  Is it close to conveniences such as grocery stores, pharmacies, and restaurants? You should also consider things like commute time and traffic congestion.

There are many neighborhoods that you can call home if you want to enjoy all these things without worrying about safety issues or crime rates!

Overall Crime in San Diego

There have been more violent and property crimes reported to local authorities in the first half of 2021, compared to the first six months of 2020.  Because 2020 was an outlier in recent history, it’s essential to look at crime trends over a longer period.

With respect to violent crime, fewer homicides and robberies have been reported so far in 2021 than in 2020, although there have been more rapes and robberies. The greatest reductions in reported rapes were recorded during the months when the stay-home order was most stringent, with numbers returning to roughly what they were in 2019.

Assaults that resulted in death, injuries requiring medical treatment, and aggravated assaults were higher than both 2019 and 2020 totals, with the greatest increases occurring when a firearm was used.

Crime rates were stable compared to 2020 figures, but they were still the second-lowest rate during the past ten years. Residential burglaries rose in number most recently, whereas non-residential larcenies decreased. Robberies increased in number compared to 2020, as did motor vehicle thieves.

Safest Neighborhoods in San Diego County

The safest neighborhoods in San Diego County are generally located east of Interstate 15 and north of state Route 78, with a few exceptions.  Neighborhoods such as Rancho Bernardo, Poway, Scripps Ranch, Carmel Valley, and La Jolla are consistently among the lowest-crime areas in the county.  However, no neighborhood is immune to crime; it’s important to do your research before moving to any new area.

Rancho Bernardo

Rancho Bernardo is a semi-rural community located in the northern part of San Diego.  It is bordered by Poway on the east and Rancho Penasquitos to the south.  The city has grown from a master-planned community known for many parks, trails, and open spaces.

  • Area Feel: Dense suburban
  • Crime rate: 62% lower than the San Diego average
  • Population: 76,279
  • Median home price: $711,947
  • Median household income: $120,344

Top Attractions in Rancho Bernardo:

Carmel Valley

Carmel Valley is one of the newer neighborhoods in San Diego located east of I-805 and south of State Route 56.  It was developed as a master-planned community for new home buyers who want to live near Torrey pines State Reserve.

  • Area Feel: Dense suburban
  • Crime rate: 59% lower than the San Diego average
  • Population: 54,910
  • Median home price: $1.06 million
  • Median household income: $160,064

Top Attractions in Carmel Valley:

Torrey Pines

Torrey Pines is known for its beautiful views of the Pacific Ocean and its large population of Torrey Pine trees.  The community is in the northern part of San Diego County, bordering Carmel Valley to the north and La Jolla to the south.  It is a popular place for individuals who work in downtown San Diego to live because it’s close to the city but still feels like a quiet, rural community.

  • Area Feel: Dense Suburban
  • Crime rate: Almost no violent crime
  • Population: 13,494
  • Median home price: $1.26 million
  • Median household income: $142, 118

Top Attractions in Torrey Pines:

Black Mountain Ranch

Black Mountain Ranch is a census-designated place in the northern part of San Diego County.  It is located east of Rancho Santa Fe and north of Escondido known for its rolling hills, horse trails, and expansive open space. 

  • Area Feel: Sparse Suburban
  • Crime rate: Virtually no violent crime
  • Population: 40,240
  • Median home price: $991,237
  • Median household income: $153,930

Top Attractions in Black Mountain Ranch:

La Jolla

La Jolla is a wealthy community located in the northern part of San Diego County.  It is known for its expensive real estate, ocean views, and public beaches. 

  • Area Feel: Dense Suburban
  • Crime rate: 16% lower than the national average
  • Population: 32,486
  • Median home price: $1.56 million
  • Median household income: $140,204

Top Attractions in La Jolla:

Scripps Ranch

Scripps Ranch is located at the north end of Marine Corps Air Station Miramar.  It is known for its large houses and wide streets. 

  • Area Feel: Sparse Suburban
  • Crime rate: 71% lower than the national average
  • Population: 29,280
  • Median home price: $781,794
  • Median household income: $138,024

Top Attractions in Scripps Ranch:

Rancho Penasquitos

Rancho Penasquitos is an affluent suburban community in the northeastern corner of San Diego, known for its rolling hills, and the residents like to take advantage of it by hiking at Los Penasquitos Canyon Preserve.  Many great schools are also right here.

  • Area Feel: Dense Suburban
  • Crime rate: 63% lower than the national average
  • Population: 60,519
  • Median home price: $797,946
  • Median household income: $144,186

Top Attractions in Rancho Penasquitos:

Conclusion for the Safest Neighborhoods in San Diego County

There are many great neighborhoods to choose from in San Diego County, but the safest ones are those that fall into the categories of rural or suburban.  If you’re looking for a place to raise a family, these areas offer plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities and a sense of community spirit.  And with crime rates much lower than in urban neighborhoods, you can feel confident raising your kids or pets in these parts of town. 

Of course, no area is completely free from crime, so it’s important to stay aware of what’s going on around you.  But by choosing one of the safe neighborhoods listed here, you’ll be well on your way to enjoying all that San Diego has to offer!

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