If you are looking into moving to or buying a home in El Dorado Hills, you have likely already heard the reputation. It is frequently ranked as one of the most desirable places to live in California, known for rolling views, top-tier schools, and luxury estates. But when you are relocating your life—especially from the Bay Area or out of state—reputation isn't enough. You want to know the reality on the ground.
The short answer is yes: El Dorado Hills (EDH) is significantly safer than both the California and national averages. It functions as an affluent bedroom community for Sacramento, which generally insulates it from the urban issues found in denser city centers.
However, "safety" in the foothills involves two distinct conversations. First, there is the low crime rate, which is a major draw for residents. Second, there is wildfire preparedness, which is a necessary part of living in El Dorado Hills. Let’s break down the actual numbers and what you need to know before you buy.
El Dorado Hills Crime Rate: The Numbers
When we talk about safety here, we are usually comparing it to the rest of the Greater Sacramento region. El Dorado Hills typically scores an A or A+ on crime maps, but it helps to understand exactly what those grades mean.
For violent crime, the numbers are extremely low. In fact, your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime in EDH is approximately 1 in 829. To put that in perspective, the average for California is about 1 in 197. This is a quiet community where dangerous street crime is very rare.
Property crime is a different story, though still lower than average. While it is much safer than most cities, property crime does happen, usually at a rate of roughly 7 to 11 per 1,000 residents. The context here is important:
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Violent Crime Chance: ~1 in 829 (State average is 1 in 197).
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Property Crime Chance: ~1 in 144 (State average is 1 in 43).
Most of the activity here is opportunistic. We aren't seeing frequent home invasions; we are seeing unlocked cars getting rummaged through in driveways or package theft. If you look at a crime rate map and see a "red" spot in El Dorado Hills, it is almost always centered on the Town Center commercial district. This reflects retail theft and shoplifting reports, not residential danger.
Safest Neighborhoods in El Dorado Hills
While the entire area is generally safe, the "feel" of security varies depending on whether you choose a gated enclave or an open neighborhood. Because El Dorado Hills is unincorporated, we rely on the El Dorado County Sheriff rather than a city police force, and they are very active in the community.
Here is how safety breaks down by neighborhood type:
Serrano
If security is your top priority, you will likely look at Serrano. As one of the largest master-planned communities in the region, much of it is behind unmatched gates with roving security patrols. The traffic here is almost exclusively residents and guests, which naturally keeps incident rates very low. The perceived safety here is a huge selling point for buyers.
The Promontory
Sitting on the ridgeline, The Promontory offers high-end custom homes with limited access points. It isn't just about the views; the layout of the neighborhood discourages pass-through traffic. This isolation contributes to excellent safety records.
Blackstone
Blackstone is a newer master-planned community that has become very popular. While not all parts are gated in the same way as the custom villages of Serrano, the strong HOA oversight and community design create a very secure environment. The neighbors here tend to be very connected, which is often the best deterrent against crime.
Marina Woods & Highland View
If you prefer a non-gated feel with no Mello-Roos, areas like Marina Woods are fantastic options. These are established, quiet neighborhoods. Even without gates, these streets are generally safe because they don't serve as shortcuts to anywhere else. They are popular for their proximity to schools and parks, creating a community where neighbors know each other’s cars.
The Other Safety Factor: Wildfire Risk & Prevention
You cannot discuss safety in the Sierra foothills without addressing wildfires. El Dorado Hills sits in what is called the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI). This means we live right where the suburbs meet open nature.
For many buyers, this is the biggest adjustment. The risk is real, but it is also managed. The El Dorado Hills Fire Department is aggressive about vegetation management, and the community is proactive.
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Defensible Space is Key: Safety starts in your own backyard. You will need to maintain "defensible space" 100 feet out from your home.
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Zone Management: We talk about "Zone 0" (the first 5 feet from the house), which needs to be ember-resistant, and the "Lean and Clean" zone (5 to 30 feet) where vegetation is kept minimal.
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Community Effort: Many neighborhoods here participate in the "Firewise" program, working together to clear brush and reduce fuel loads.
Before you write an offer, you should always check the insurability of the property. While most homes can get covered, knowing the cost of fire insurance upfront is a critical part of your budget.
Comparing Crime Rates: El Dorado Hills vs. Nearby Cities
When you line El Dorado Hills up against its foothill neighbors of roughly similar size, the spread becomes clear.
CrimeGrade gives Folsom an overall D grade and a total crime rate of 41.1 crimes per 1,000 residents, a figure driven largely by shoplifting and vehicle theft near the Highway 50 retail strip.
By contrast, nearby Cameron Park earns a solid B, logging about 18.6 crimes per 1,000 residents, which is safer than the average U.S. community yet still higher than El Dorado Hills.
Just east of town, the tiny hamlet of Rescue posts an A grade with only 13.0 crimes per 1,000 residents, though its small headcount means a handful of incidents can swing the per‑capita math.
On the north shore of Folsom Lake, upscale Granite Bay lands in the B-range at 20.6 crimes per 1,000, most of them property‑related around Douglas Boulevard.
Set against these numbers, El Dorado Hills sits at a B+ with roughly 17.9 crimes per 1,000 residents, putting it at the safer end of the spectrum for larger foothill suburbs, edged out only by tiny Rescue on a purely per‑capita basis.
Safety Measures and Resources
Crunching crime per capita in El Dorado Hills:
With 2.277 violent and 11.42 property crimes per 1,000 residents in a standard year, the rate of crime in El Dorado translates to a 1 in 79 chance of any crime, far below most California suburbs.
Those numbers are shown as the number of crimes per 1,000 residents, the metric the FBI and CrimeGrade used to calculate the crime grades.
Neighborhood watch groups, Nextdoor alerts, and quarterly “Coffee with a Cop” sessions foster transparency.
An unemployment rate of around 5.2 % in El Dorado County further dampens the property‑theft motive that drives higher crime elsewhere.
Living in El Dorado Hills: Is it a Safe Place to Live?
By most metrics—low crime rates, strong schools, affluent demographics—El Dorado Hills offers a security blanket rare in suburban California.
While crime rates are measured per resident and thus may look harsher in commercial pockets, the day‑to‑day experience “feels” safe: kids bike to school, joggers own the Serrano trails at dawn, and porch package theft rarely trends on local Facebook groups.
El Dorado Hills Safety FAQs
Is El Dorado Hills safer than the average California city?
Yes. Current crime data shows both violent and property crime rates for El Dorado Hills are 30‑40 % below California’s state averages, making it one of the safest areas in El Dorado County.
Where can I find a real‑time El Dorado Hills crime map and rates?
Crime Grade’s interactive El Dorado Hills crime map shades neighborhoods. The map highlights the safest areas in green, caution zones in red—letting you drill down to street level before scheduling home tours.
What’s the chance of becoming a victim of violent crime here?
Statistics put the chance of being a victim of violent crime at roughly 1 in 500 in the safest pockets and 1 in 281 in busier zones, well below the average US city.
How does income relate to safety?
With an income in El Dorado Hills topping $163,000, residents invest in cameras, lighting, and community programs that help keep low crime the norm.
Higher incomes also offset the cost of crime in El Dorado Hills, now about $302 per household.
Are unemployment rates linked to crime here?
Partly. El Dorado County’s 5.2 % unemployment rate is lower than many adjacent counties, correlating with reduced petty theft and burglary. Lower joblessness means fewer economic stressors that often drive property crime rate spikes.
