Area Safety Data

2024 reported data

Is El Cajon, CA safe? Property crime data

A direct, source-backed look at reported selected property offenses for El Cajon using FBI NIBRS and Census population context.

Selected property offense rate 15.31 per 1,000 residents; not a danger score
Population102,841Census 2024 estimate
Selected offenses1,575NIBRS offense records
TrendDecreasing2021,2022,2023,2024

Home-security checklist for El Cajon

Start with package-area camera, then decide if a product is worth opening.

Vehicle theft and larceny patterns often make exterior coverage, driveway visibility, and package-area monitoring worth evaluating. This keeps the next click closer to a real buying decision instead of a random Amazon visit.

  • Match the biggest local category: larceny/theft.
  • Check doors, windows, package drop zones, lighting, Wi-Fi, and rental limits.
  • Only open Amazon after the guide fits the home layout.

Open Package-area camera guide View all guides

Entry alerts Door/window alarm setup Best when doors, windows, garage entries, sheds, or rented spaces are the first weak point. Package camera ยท Recommended Package camera setup Best when porch drops, visitor checks, driveway approaches, or vehicle-adjacent visibility matter. No monthly plan No-subscription starter kit Best when you want local alarms, lighting, locks, and cameras before choosing any recurring plan.

Short answer

El Cajon reported 15.31 selected property offenses per 1,000 residents in 2024

That rate is #149 by highest rate among 294 validated CA city candidates on this site. The largest selected category here is Larceny/theft. Reported selected property-offense rates decreased by 15.6% from 2021 to 2024.

Compare California cities

Trend

Decreasing

Reported selected property-offense rates decreased by 15.6% from 2021 to 2024.

-15.7%
2021
18.15
2022
16.76
2023
15.82
2024
15.31

Offense mix

Burglary
164
Larceny/theft
1,129
Motor vehicle theft
264
Arson
18

State comparison

Compare this page with other validated California candidates. These are city-candidate comparisons, not official statewide rankings.

Higher-rate candidates

Emeryville 129.74 / 1,000 Santa Fe Springs 68.82 / 1,000 Signal Hill 61.08 / 1,000 El Segundo 54.15 / 1,000

Lower-rate candidates

Laguna Beach 1.47 / 1,000 Imperial 1.85 / 1,000 Avenal 2.05 / 1,000 Calipatria 2.29 / 1,000

Buyer path

Choose before opening Amazon

Vehicle theft and larceny patterns often make exterior coverage, driveway visibility, and package-area monitoring worth evaluating. The guide pages keep the product buttons and disclosure together after the setup fits your doors, packages, lighting, Wi-Fi, and budget.

Open recommended guide

Buying guide Door and window alarms for renters Compare simple entry alarms for apartments, rented homes, garages, and windows before moving into heavier systems. Buying guide No-subscription home security starter kit Build a basic home-security setup with local alarms, lighting, locks, and cameras without starting with a monthly plan. Buying guide Package theft camera checklist Check porch visibility, driveway angles, storage, Wi-Fi, and evidence needs before buying a camera for package areas. Buying guide Security camera checklist Evaluate exterior visibility, entry coverage, storage needs, and placement before choosing a camera system. Buying guide Smart lock and entry sensor checklist Start with reliable locks, entry sensors, lighting, and backup access before adding convenience features. Buying guide Basic home-security checklist A balanced setup can cover entries, packages, motion, lighting, and alerts without overbuying.

Quick questions

Short answers help visitors and search systems understand the page without turning the data into a fear claim.

Is El Cajon, CA safe?

This page cannot tell you whether El Cajon is personally safe for you. It shows 2024 reported selected property-offense data: 15.31 offenses per 1,000 residents, with FBI NIBRS and Census source notes.

What property crime category is largest in El Cajon?

The largest selected category in this page is Larceny/theft, based on the visible burglary, larceny/theft, motor vehicle theft, and arson breakdown.

How does El Cajon compare with other validated CA city candidates?

Among 294 validated CA city candidates, El Cajon ranks #149 by highest selected property-offense rate. The median candidate rate on this state hub is 15.51 per 1,000 residents.

What should I check before buying home-security gear?

Start with the local pattern, your home layout, entry points, lighting, package areas, and whether a package-area camera checklist fits better than a full monitored system.