The latest report from SANDAG’s Criminal Justice Research Division indicates that ethnicity, age, and gender are related to the likelihood of being a crime victim or suspect, consistent with findings at the national level.

Ethnicity and Crime

In 2004, more than half (54%) of San Diego County residents were classified as White, while 27 percent were identified as Hispanic, 14 percent as “other,” and five percent as Black. Nonetheless, Blacks were overrepresented as victims in each of the violent crime categories, consistent with national statistics. Specifically, Blacks were overrepresented as victims of homicide (26% of all victims), assault (16%), rape (13%), and robbery (11%).

Hispanics were also overrepresented as victims of homicide (46% of all victims), robbery (37%), and assault (33%). On the other hand, Whites were considerably underrepresented as victims of homicide (22% of all victims), and slightly underrepresented as targets of robbery (41%) and assault (43%). In addition, individuals of “other” ethnicities were also underrepresented as victims of homicide (6% of all victims), rape (8%), and assault (8%).

Ethnicity is also linked to property crime (motor vehicle theft, burglary, and larceny) victimization. Notably, Hispanics were underrepresented as victims of each type. Whites were overrepresented as burglary and larceny victims, and individuals of “other” ethnicities were overrepresented as victims of motor vehicle theft.

Age and Crime

Individuals younger than 25 were at a greater risk of being a violent crime victim in 2004 when compared to other age groups. Eighteen to 24 year-olds, who comprised 13 percent of the population, were overrepresented in each of the four violent crime categories – representing 35 percent of rape victims, 29 percent of robbery victims, 27 percent of homicide victims, and 24 percent of assault victims.

Additionally, juveniles (under the age of 18), who also made up 13 percent of the population, accounted for 28 percent of rape victims, 22 percent of homicide victims, and 17 percent of robbery victims. Adults ages 25 to 39 made up 27 percent of the population and were overrepresented among assault victims (37%), while those 40 and above were underrepresented in each of the violent crime categories.

Adults between the ages of 25 and 39 (who comprise 27% of the population) were overrepresented in each of the three categories of property crime, accounting for about one-third of motor vehicle theft (36%), burglary (34%), and larceny (35%) victims. Young adults, ages 18 to 24, were also overrepresented among motor vehicle theft (22%) and larceny (23%) victims, whereas those under 18 were underrepresented in each property crime category. 

Gender and Crime

In 2004, the San Diego region was split down the middle in terms of its male and female population – each group accounting for 50 percent of the total. However, there were major differences in victimization by violent crime type, with males overrepresented as homicide and robbery victims, and females overrepresented as assault victims. With regard to property crime, men were more likely than women to be victims of each of the three types (motor vehicle theft 61%; burglary 55%; and larceny 54%).

Victimization Trends

When victim characteristic data for 2002, 2003 and 2004 are compared, there is no significant change for the majority of crime types based on ethnicity, age, or gender. However, some interesting trends can be noted. For example, the number of Black homicide victims increased from 14 percent in 2002 to 26 percent in 2004. Also, the percent of homicide victims under the age of 18 has more than doubled from ten percent in 2002 to 22 percent in 2004. Finally, the percent of rape victims under 18 has dropped from 38 percent in 2002 to 28 percent in 2004.

Victim vs. Suspect Profiles

Research indicates that victim and suspect profiles do differ significantly. Young adults 18 to 24 represented 27 percent of homicide victims, but 47 percent of homicide suspects. Those under 18 were more likely to be robbery, motor vehicle theft, burglary, and larceny suspects than victims. Females were more likely to be victims than suspects of each of the violent and property crimes.

Project Manager:
Cynthia Burke
619-699-1910