Violent
Property
Total
Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI 2024 crime data, South Gate, CA has a Safety Score of 8/100 — higher crime than 92% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 4,124.5 per 100,000 residents, ranking #2,740 of 2,971 US cities and #243 of 264 in California.
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is South Gate, California Safe?
South Gate, California, a city in southeast Los Angeles County, was once known as the "Furniture Capital of the West." Its diverse population of over 90,000 residents contributes to a vibrant community fabric.
South Gate has a safety score of 8/100 (High Crime). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 4,124.5 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
South Gate ranks #243 out of 264 cities in California and #2740 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 8th percentile for safety — with higher crime than 92% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in South Gate is motor vehicle theft, at 975.1 per 100K — 2.8x the national average. Conversely, rape is relatively low at just 0.7x the national rate.
Year over year, South Gate's total crime rate increased by 2.2%, with violent crime declining 2.3%.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
South Gate Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 469 | 525.7 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 4 | 4.5 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 26 | 29.1 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 215 | 241.0 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 224 | 251.1 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 3,211 | 3,598.9 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 257 | 288.0 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 2,084 | 2,335.7 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 870 | 975.1 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
South Gate vs California Average
How does South Gate's crime rate compare to the California state average?
| Metric | South Gate | California Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 525.7 | 518.0 | +1.5% |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,598.9 | 2,161.3 | +66.5% |
| Murder Rate | 4.5 | 4.4 | +1.8% |
| Total Crime Rate | 4,124.5 | 2,679.3 | +53.9% |
South Gate Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for South Gate, California.
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 89,223 | 4,124.5 | 525.7 | 3,598.9 |
| 2023 | 90,184 | 4,036.2 | 537.8 | 3,498.4 |
| 2022 | 89,698 | 3,830.6 | 549.6 | 3,281.0 |
| 2020 | 93,336 | 3,838.8 | 682.5 | 3,156.3 |
| 2019 | 94,445 | 3,574.6 | 658.6 | 2,916.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is South Gate, California safe?
South Gate has a safety score of 8/100, meaning it has less crime than about 8% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 4,124.5 per 100,000 residents in 2024, South Gate is among the highest-crime US cities.
What is the crime rate in South Gate, California?
According to FBI data for 2024, South Gate has a violent crime rate of 525.7 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 3,598.9 per 100,000 residents.
How does South Gate compare to the national average?
South Gate's total crime rate of 4,124.5 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The data covers 89,223 residents.
What types of crime are most common in South Gate?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in South Gate include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is South Gate safe to visit?
Like any city, South Gate has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 8/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.