Analysts from Safety.com assessed data provided by the FBI Crime Report, Gun Violence Archive, US Census Bureau, Insurance Journal and America Health Rankings to create its list of safest cities in California. In all, 482 cities were studied.
“Our team diligently identified the safest cities beyond just looking at crime rates. We wanted to get the full picture and have our data extend beyond what people would originally look at for the safety of a city, especially in these tough economic times. We took a step further by looking at factors that measure socioeconomic, health and natural disaster safety in addition to public safety in this study,” says Antonio Lopez Jr, analyst for Safety.com.
Cities were analyzed on public safety, financial safety, state-level natural disaster and health metrics. The criteria for public safety include property crime, violent crime, aggravated assaults, hate crime, and mass shootings. Criteria for financial and socioeconomic factors include unemployment rate, cost of living, poverty rate, uninsured residents, and internet access.
State-level natural disaster and health safety scoring factors involve calculating the state’s natural disaster risk and health score based on access to health insurance, air pollution ratings, number of drug deaths and number of mental health providers.
The full report and methodology can be found here: www.safety.com/public/places/safest-cities-in-california/ .
“The Palmdale City Council has made public safety our top priority for many years, and we have seen tremendous results,” said Palmdale City Manager J.J. Murphy. “We have invested significant money in public safety but more importantly we have invested in relationship building with our sheriff’s department and community partners. This recognition by Safety.com proves that our collaborative efforts are making a positive difference. These great partnerships between City staff, law enforcement, and our residents show that Palmdale truly cares.”
“The City of Palmdale has worked tirelessly to improve public safety and enhance economic development,” said Palmdale Sheriff’s Captain Ron Shafer. “Palmdale Station and the Sheriff’s Department is proud to be a part of that effort. All that work is coming to fruition with a top 10 percent ranking for public safety and organizations seeking to move their operations to Palmdale. Palmdale indeed cares and this is a wonderful place to call home.”
About Safety.com
Safety.com offers reviews, recommendations and insights across multiple safety industries. Their goal is to make safety simple with trustworthy and accurate information, unique data and easy-to-use tools. They want to empower people to feel peace of mind about their personal, home, financial and family safety.
[Information via news release from the city of Palmdale.]
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Mike R says
The numbers really don’t lie folks. Palmdale is safer because it has a higher per capita income level.
City ———Median income———crime rate (2019)——Violent crime (US avg.=4, CA avg.=4.47)
Palmdale ——$71,774————-19.53 / 1,000—————————–3.8
Lancaster —–$56,672————- 31.59 / 1,000 ————————— 7.53
Jill L says
I’ve been watching the crime rates for various LA County cities for years. Palmdale’s crime rate has dropped significantly in the last few years. It has been a gradual decrease, not a steep one. This is good for the city’s image and for our ability to bring in new business and residents. It’s something we should be celebrating as a community!
James says
Until this phony commission includes ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION in their calculations believe nothing. That being said Palmdale is still safer than any city in the San Fernando valley.
tsparky says
“Our team diligently identified the safest cities beyond just looking at crime rates. We wanted to get the full picture and have our data extend beyond what people would originally look at for the safety of a city, especially in these tough economic times. We took a step further by looking at factors that measure socioeconomic, health and natural disaster safety in addition to public safety in this study,”
Why should socioeconomic factors count in the actual safety measure? They might affect the crime rate, but the crime rate should be what is measured. Natural disaster safety? Palmdale sits right on the San Andreas fault. They also rate shootings of more than 4 people a the same time (‘so called mass shooting’) as an add on to the metric. So if 4 people are shot by 1 person that is worse than 4 people shot separately.
Dave says
As someone that has lived in Palmdale for over 30yrs. I’d like to know, where they got the stats from. I find it hard to believe. It’s in no way that safe. Maybe someone leaving some stuff out of reports. As a kid and teen. In the neighborhood I grew up in. I used to walk around at night by myself. I’m 36 now and would not do that in that neighborhood. Around Elizabeth lake rd and 10th west.
REC says
Numbers will never tell the entire story. As a resident off and on for over 10 years, i feel less safe now then ever. The numbers may have improved but the general perception of my neighbors is that the situation has deteriorated. Illegal fireworks are totally out of control. Street racing is common. Lots of sirens.
Public Safety says
Palmdale is the best city in California.
Val says
This is a complete joke. All I heard were sirens all day.
911 says
Oh, Val
Turn off your television and the re-runs of EMERGENCY! and CHiPS and take down the poster of Erik Estrada on your ceiling. You’ll sleep better.
HMK says
Agreed on the street racing. How hard can it be to set up traps? We all see the donut marks on the roads.
Also the 14 freeway. So many excessively fast drivers, hit & runs, crashes, etc.
Our family does however enjoy the community activities pre-COVID.
Unincorporated 93551 says
I find this completely unbelievable. But this comment explains it.
“Our team diligently identified the safest cities beyond just looking at crime rates”.
John Thomas says
Phony/fireman Mayor has growing fireman hats on his signs all over town, Designed to match his insecurity with the Fire Dept.
QH Holdover says
The phony/fireman mayor of Palmdale should thank Rex and Marvin for contributing so much money to the Palmdale election. A very unsafe city wanting to control the safest city. Irony says they should fix their own crime problem in Lancaster!
Jason Stink says
I think those Lancaster power brokers been in charge of Palmdale for the last 2 years. We have no vision anymore!