The Big News: How Safe Is Ventura County, Really?

According to the most recent statewide crime report: (Ventura County District Attorney)

  • Ventura County recorded 16.67 crimes per 1,000 residents in 2024,

    That’s the lowest overall crime rate among California’s 16 largest counties (violent and property). (Facebook)

    Lower than San Diego County. 

  • Nearly half the crime rate of Los Angeles County.

In short: Ventura County is not just relatively safe—it’s leading the pack in California.

Thousand Oaks: A Standout for Safety 

Zooming in further, Thousand Oaks has the lowest crime rate in Ventura County, consistently ranking as one of the safest cities in California and the U.S.

The Lydia Gable Realty Group lives, works, and plays in this wonderful neighborhood. As real estate agents specializing in selling and marketing homes in Thousand Oaks, we couldn’t be happier to shout this news from the rooftops. 2024 to 2025 data highlights:

  • Overall crime in Thousand Oaks is about 47–50% lower than the national average. (Areavibes)

  • Violent crime is dramatically below state and national norms:

    • About 102 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, compared with 359 nationally and **486 statewide. (HomeSnacks)

  • Property crime in Thousand Oaks is half the statewide property crime rate.

  • Some studies place Thousand Oaks’ crime rate around 50% lower than the U.S. average as well (FOX 11 Los Angeles)

For families, downsizers, and relocating professionals, those are exactly the numbers that drive peace of mind.

Why Safety Rankings Matter for Home Values

Safety isn’t just emotional—it’s economic. When a county is recognized as the safest large county in California, a few things tend to happen over time:

1. Increased Buyer Demand

  • Relocating families, especially from higher-crime or higher-density areas (Los Angeles, the Bay Area, or out of state), actively filter by safety when choosing where to land.

  • Ventura County’s new ranking gives buyers a clear, data-backed reason to move their search toward communities like Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village, Newbury Park, and Moorpark instead of neighboring counties.

2. Stronger Long-Term Appreciation

Buyers and investors know that low crime correlates with long-term neighborhood stability:

  • Already high ranking and award winning, Schools tend to remain desirable.

  • Local amenities and small businesses thrive.

  • Turnover can be lower, which creates a sense of community that’s hard to “build” from scratch.

All of this supports resilient home values, even when the broader market shifts.

3. Premium for “Peace of Mind”

In Thousand Oaks, the median home value is over $1M. Safety is one of those intangibles buyers will gladly pay a premium for.

What This Means If You’re a Home Seller in Ventura County?

If you’re thinking about selling, this ranking is a powerful marketing asset.

Here’s how it helps your strategy:

1. Stronger Storytelling in Your Listing

Buyers aren’t just buying your house—they’re buying Ventura County and Thousand Oaks.

We can highlight:

  • “Located in Ventura County, ranked the safest large county in California”

  • “Thousand Oaks – consistently rated one of the safest cities in the state and nation”

  • Local parks, trails, schools, and family amenities that reinforce that feeling of security and quality of life.

That positioning can help your home stand out vs. similar properties in neighboring counties.

2. Attracting Relocation Buyers, Families, and Seniors

This news is especially compelling for:

  • Amgen and biotech professionals moving to Thousand Oaks and surrounding cities.

  • Remote workers relocating from LA, San Francisco, New York, and New Jersey

  • Military and public sector families who have safety high on their checklist

  • Retirees seeking a low stress environment

  • Families with children 

In our marketing, we lean into: “Here’s why Thousand Oaks and Ventura County deserve to be at the top of your list.”

3. Supporting Your Pricing Strategy

While crime data alone doesn’t set a price, it helps support:

  • Top-of-range pricing when paired with strong condition, updates, and location

  • A narrative for buyers: they’re not just buying square footage—they’re buying into one of the safest large counties in California and one of its safest cities.

What This Means If You’re a Home Buyer in Ventura County

If you’re on the fence about where to buy, this ranking is a big green light.

1. Confidence in Long-Term Investment

When you choose Thousand Oaks or surrounding Ventura County cities, you’re choosing:

  • A county with the lowest crime rate among the 16 largest counties in California (El Latino Central Coast Newspaper)

  • A city where overall crime remains far below national and state averages year after year. (HomeSnacks)

For long-term homeowners, that’s exactly the kind of backdrop that supports stable or appreciating values.

2. Quality of Life Today, Resale Value Tomorrow

Buyers often ask us:

“If we ever have to sell in 5–10 years, will this still be a good resale market?”

Safety is one of those evergreen factors that keeps future buyers interested, even as trends like rates and inventory shift. When the time comes to sell, you’ll likely be attracting the same kinds of buyers who are moving here today for:

  • Great schools

  • Low crime

  • Outdoor lifestyle

  • Proximity to both the beach and Los Angeles

3. Peace of Mind for Daily Life

Beyond numbers and charts, here’s how we enjoy our community with peace of mind:

  • Kids walking or biking to school

  • Evening walks on neighborhood trails

  • Feeling comfortable coming home late or traveling frequently

These are daily lifestyle wins!

How We Use This Data for Our Clients

At Lydia Gable Realty Group – Compass, Westlake Village, we:

  • Track county and city-level stats

  • Use safety rankings as part of our pricing strategy and marketing story for sellers

  • Help buyers compare Thousand Oaks and surrounding communities with other areas they’re considering—especially when relocating from out of area

Thinking About Buying or Selling in Thousand Oaks or other cities in Ventura County?

We’re happy to walk you through the data specific to your neighborhood (Oak Park, Westlake, Thousand Oaks, Moorpark, Simi Valley, Camarillo and beyond) and build a strategy around it. 

Reach out to Lydia Gable Realty Group at Compass in Westlake Village for a personalized conversation about your plans—and how Ventura County’s new ranking can work in your favor. Lydia@lydiagable.com