Kings County, CA Crime Rate 2025 – Latest Statistics

California is one of the largest and most populous states in all of the United States. Consequently, it can be hard to know what areas are safest and which ones are more dangerous. If you are planning to move to Kings County, CA, crime rate might be the first thing on your mind. It is always a good idea to know what kind of area you are moving to or living in.

What Factors Into the Overall Crime Rate?

In recent years, Kings County, California’s crime rate has unfortunately been on the rise. Still, the phrase “crime rate” is so broad, and it can be hard to know what this means in terms of everyday life. Generally, crime rate is calculated by dividing the number of reported crimes committed in a year by the total population of that area and multiplying that number by 100,000. This gives the number of reported crimes per 100,000 people, also known as the crime rate.

There are two main groups into which crimes are sorted.

Property Crime

In 2023, Kings County had a property crime rate of 40.5, with the US average of 35.4. Property crime occurs when an individual unlawfully takes, damages, and/or destroys someone else’s property. Kings County is known to be an agricultural hotspot, which means items such as farm equipment or crops offer an additional opportunity for those looking to commit property crimes. A generalized list of property crime categories includes but is not limited to the following:

• Vehicle theft (such as boat or car theft)
• Property damage (graffiti or breaking)
• Property theft (stealing jewelry, money, etc.)
• Arson
• Larceny theft
• Breaking and entering
• Burglary

Violent Crime

Violent crime in Kings County, California, had an average rate of 25.3, with the US averaging 22.7. A crime is considered violent when it involves an individual using deadly force, causing serious injury or death, being committed with a deadly weapon, and/or threatening to do any of the aforementioned things to another individual. This covers a broad spectrum of crimes, but here are a few of the more typical examples:

• Aggravated assault (directly and imminently threatening someone else’s safety and/or life)
• Battery (causing bodily harm)
• Assault with a deadly weapon (threatening violence with a weapon)
• Kidnapping
• Rape and other sex crimes (such as sexual assault or molestation)
• Murder (vehicular, with a weapon, strangulation, etc.)
• Manslaughter
• Arson
• Gang crimes (drive-by shootings, violent gang initiations, etc.)
• Elder, minor, or spousal abuse
• Robbery (attempted or actual theft accompanied by the use of violent threats and/or force)

When you compare the two groups, you may notice that the percentage of property crimes is significantly higher than that of violent crimes. In recent years, the overall violent crime rate in the state of California has actually gone down. California is still ranked 17th in the nation for its violent crime rate, but if it continues in its downward trajectory, it could eventually become even safer.

Sometimes, an incident starts out as a property crime but turns into a violent crime as the situation escalates and/or gets out of hand. An example of this could be an individual who plans to steal a car, but the owner of the car catches them mid-attempt. Startled by being discovered, the would-be thief draws a gun and either threatens to or actually does shoot. What may have started out as a property crime is now also considered a violent crime and will most likely, if convicted, lead to prison time and monetary fines greater than that for just stealing a car.

A few examples of crimes that do not appear to fit so neatly into these two categories include drug manufacturing, drug distribution, drug trafficking, and many white-collar crimes. While it may not seem like a property crime due to the natural distance that comes with it, internet crimes fit under the general “theft” umbrella and, therefore, can be categorized as a property crime.

FAQs

What City in California Has the Lowest Crime Rate?

As of 2025, Rancho Santa Margarita is the safest city to live in out of all of California. The most common kind of crime is property crime, but considering the statistics, the overall rate of property crime is still quite low. Imperial, Moorpark, Aliso Viejo, and Orinda round out the top five safest cities in California.

What Cities Are Considered Kings County?

The primary cities classified as Kings County, California, are as follows:

• Hanford, which is the county seat and is the most populous
• Armona, an unincorporated community
• Lemoore, which is located toward the southern part of Kings County
• Corcoran, which is also in the southern area
• Stratford, which is another unincorporated community

What County Has the Highest Crime in California?

In recent years, San Joaquin County has had the highest crime rate in the state of California, followed by San Francisco County, Plumas County, Alameda County, and Kern County. This includes both violent and property crimes. San Joaquin County is made up of several cities, including Escalon, Lathrop, Lodi, Manteca, Mountain House, Ripon, Stockton, and Tracy.

Is Crime in California Worse Than Other States?

According to Safe and Sound Security experts, California ranks 17th in the nation for its violent crime rate, but since 2019, the number of violent crimes has actually gone down. As with any geolocation over time, the crime rate in California has its ups and downs. Fortunately, it continues to follow an encouraging trend.

Get Legal Representation Today

Whether innocent or guilty, you have a right to a fair trial and legal representation. Hiring a criminal defense lawyer can increase the likelihood of achieving your desired outcomes, and you will not have to do it alone.

If you or someone you know is facing criminal charges of any kind, reaching out to a Kings County criminal defense lawyer may be the answer you have been looking for. While you are legally permitted to represent yourself in a court of law, it is to your benefit to leverage the knowledge and experience of a skilled lawyer.

The Carlos Navarrete Law Firm has lawyers who can help you navigate the complexities of the legal world, advocating for you and protecting you from the start of your case to the end. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.