Ventura County Ranked Safest Large County in California in 2025
Discover why Ventura County continues to lead California’s largest counties in safety, with the lowest crime rates and the safest communities to live, work, and raise a family.
Ventura County has once again earned recognition as the safest large county in California, according to the State of the Region Report 2025 published by the Ventura County Civic Alliance. The report highlights the county’s continued commitment to public safety, strong community partnerships, and exceptionally low crime rates compared to other large counties in the state.
In 2024, Ventura County recorded just 16.67 crimes per 1,000 residents, the lowest among California’s 16 largest counties. While crime increased slightly from the record low in 2022, the county continues to outperform other major counties in the state, demonstrating a long-term trend of safety and effective law enforcement.
Consistently Low Crime Rates Across Ventura County
The report shows that Ventura County has avoided the sharp crime spikes seen in many regions nationwide during the early 2020s. While some cities experienced a slight increase in violent crime in 2023 and 2024, the county overall remains exceptionally safe.
Key findings from the State of the Region Report 2025 include:
- Ventura County had the lowest overall crime rate among California’s large counties, slightly better than San Diego County.
- The county ranked third lowest for violent crime and second lowest for property crime statewide among large counties.
- Overall crime in Ventura County is now less than half of what it was 30 years ago and far below levels seen a decade ago.
- Cities such as Moorpark and Thousand Oaks continue to rank among the safest of their size in California.
Long-term data confirms that Ventura County’s strong safety record is the result of consistent collaboration among law enforcement agencies and a shared commitment to community-focused policing. The county continues to provide a secure environment for residents, businesses, and families.
For more detailed statistics, the full report is available online from the Ventura County Civic Alliance here.
How Law Enforcement Supports Safety
Law enforcement agencies across Ventura County employ proactive strategies to maintain public safety, focusing on community engagement, crime prevention, and evidence-based policing. Initiatives include outreach programs, neighborhood watch efforts, and targeted programs to address property crime, quality-of-life concerns, and other emerging public safety issues.
These long-term efforts have helped reduce crime dramatically over the past decades, keeping Ventura County’s rates far below those of many other large California counties. Coordinated actions across cities and jurisdictions have played a critical role in maintaining the county’s reputation as one of the safest in the state.
Safe Cities Within Ventura County
Ventura County is home to many safe communities, with several cities consistently ranking among the safest in California. At the top of the list are Thousand Oaks and Moorpark, which regularly report the lowest crime rates in the county. Simi Valley and Camarillo follow closely, known for strong community policing and proactive safety measures. Ojai, Santa Paula, Fillmore, and Port Hueneme also maintain low crime rates, providing residents with safe neighborhoods and family-friendly environments. The city of Ventura, along with smaller communities like Somis, benefits from focused law enforcement efforts and ongoing community engagement initiatives.
Across all these cities, a combination of effective policing, public outreach, and evidence-based strategies has made Ventura County one of the safest large counties in California. Residents, businesses, and visitors alike enjoy the security and peace of mind that comes with living in this well-protected region.
Ventura County’s Safety Advantage
The State of the Region Report 2025 uses data from the California Department of Justice, analyzing violent and property crimes per 1,000 residents across the state’s largest counties and within Ventura County’s cities. The report confirms that Ventura County remains one of the safest places to live, work, and raise a family in California.
Through sustained law enforcement efforts, strong community partnerships, and proactive crime-prevention strategies, Ventura County continues to demonstrate that public safety and community collaboration are key to maintaining a secure and thriving environment.
For more details on Ventura County’s crime statistics, the full State of the Region Report 2025 is available from the Ventura County Civic Alliance here.