Rancho Santa Margarita, CA
Is Rancho Santa Margarita North a Safe Place to Live? Housing, Crime & Buyer Guide
Explore safety, home prices, commute patterns, and neighborhood insights in Rancho Santa Margarita, California - so you can decide with confidence before buying or renting.
Most buyers only see the home. Smart buyers check the neighborhood first.
Crime Summary:
Crime Overview (last 12 months)
Severe29
Medium13
Low25
Other278
53 Registered Offenders Nearby
Rape9
Child involved39
Assault6
Other6
Crime Details:
Recent reported incidents in the past 12 months (newest first). Up to 10 records.
| Crime date | Crime description | Address | Crime category |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, units were dispatched for an apparent medical emergency involving an unconscious person in a room at a location on Saxon Road in Lake Forest. | Saxon Way, Lake Forest, CA 92630 | Medical Emergency |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, medical aid was dispatched for abdominal pain near the bluff side of Santa Margarita Beach at the group camp. | Avenida De Los Fundadores, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688 | Medical Emergency |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, radio traffic reports a possible traffic collision with injuries near Forest Drive and Trabuco Road. Emergency units are responding on channel 5 Delta 16. | Trabuco Rd & Lake Forest Dr, Lake Forest, CA 92630 | Traffic |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, a medical call for abdominal pain was reported near Mithra Avenue. Cargo Engine 19 was dispatched to the scene. | Mithra Ave, Mission Viejo, CA 92691 | Medical Emergency |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, emergency units were dispatched to a possible collision between a vehicle and a bicyclist near Via Aurora in Mission Viejo. The call reportedly included an alarm or injury concern. | Via Aurora, Mission Viejo, CA 92691 | Traffic |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, responders dispatched to a possible chest pain incident near Corsica Road. | Corsica Rd, Mission Viejo, CA 92692 | Medical Emergency |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, engine 45 is dispatched for a possible medical emergency involving an ill patient near San Mateo in Rancho Santa Margarita, California. | San Mateo, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688 | Medical Emergency |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, a call about emotional distress was reported in the lobby of Extended Stay America on Lake Forest Drive. Responders acknowledged the call. | Lake Forest Dr, Lake Forest, CA 92630 | Medical Emergency |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, fire personnel were sent to a possible automatic fire alarm at a hotel on Portola Parkway in Foothill Ranch, with units responding on channel 5 Delta. | Portola Pkwy, Foothill Ranch, CA 92610 | Fire |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, a medical call for abdominal pain was reported near Via Victoria. Engine 31 was dispatched to the scene. | Via Victoria, Mission Viejo, CA 92691 | Medical Emergency |
For all crime details - View Safety Report
Median Home Price
$977,697
Average Rent
$4,429
Vacancy Rate
0.8%
Neighborhood Overview
Rancho Santa Margarita North is an urban neighborhood with mostly medium to small single-family homes and townhomes built mainly between 1970 and 1999.
The neighborhood has a low vacancy rate of 0.8%, indicating strong housing demand.
It is known for its diverse languages and ancestries, and is popular with college students and families.
UrbanEstablished HomesDiverse CommunityLow Vacancy
Quick Facts
| Rowhouse Share | 24.6% |
|---|
Housing market and real estate character
Housing in Rancho Santa Margarita North consists mainly of medium to small single-family homes and townhomes, mostly built between 1970 and 1999.
| Owner Occupied Rate | Most homes are owner occupied |
|---|---|
| Housing Age | 97.9% built between 1970 and 1999 |
What buyers will notice right away
Nearly all homes built in one period, creating uniformity.
Significant share of attached homes adds charm and variety.
Families & Lifestyle
The neighborhood is favored by college students, families, and urban sophisticates, with good safety and walkability.
Walkability and safety attract college students and families.
Diverse community supports a rich cultural environment.
College-Friendly — Highly rated for college students due to safety and walkability.
Family-Oriented — Low child poverty and stable housing support families.
| College-Friendly Ranking | Top 1.1% in California |
|---|---|
| Child Poverty Rate | 4.7% |
Demographics
| Executive, Manager, Professional Share | 56.0% |
|---|---|
| Child Poverty Rate | 4.7% |
| Income Rank | Top 15% in U.S. |
| Iranian Ancestry | 5.5% |
| Armenian Ancestry | 0.8% |
| Tagalog Speakers | 5.4% |
| Top Languages | ["English (71.8%)","Spanish","Tagalog"] |
| Top Ancestries | ["Asian (15.6%)","German (15.3%)","Mexican (12.0%)","English (10.5%)","Italian (9.8%)"] |
Commute
Most residents drive alone with a typical commute under 30 minutes.
Rancho Santa Margarita North offers a car-dependent commute with short travel times.
Car-Dependent — Majority drive alone to work.
Short Commute — Most commutes last 15 to 30 minutes.
| Drive Alone Rate | 80.1% |
|---|---|
| Carpool Rate | 7.2% |
| Main Commute Time Range | 15-30 minutes |
Homes for sale near 92688
For-sale listings in this zip code. Open a property in HoodScore to run a safety report.
$1,099,000
3 bd | 3 ba | 1,603 sqft
237 Montana Del Lago Dr
Trabuco Canyon, CA, 92678
$1,029,000
4 bd | 3 ba | 1,603 sqft
205 Montana Del Lago Dr
Trabuco Canyon, CA, 92678
$1,129,900
3 bd | 3 ba | 1,397 sqft
44 Willowbrook Ln
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, 92688
$825,000
2 bd | 2 ba | 1,230 sqft
189 Encantado Cyn
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, 92688
$889,000
3 bd | 2 ba | 1,160 sqft
104 Seacountry Ln
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, 92688
$799,000
3 bd | 2 ba | 1,344 sqft
12 Montana Del Lago Dr #168
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, 92688
$1,030,000
4 bd | 3 ba | 1,696 sqft
243 Seacountry Ln
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, 92688
$1,299,000
3 bd | 3 ba | 2,168 sqft
33 Calle Del Norte
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, 92688
$1,069,900
2 bd | 2 ba | 1,503 sqft
5 Calle Del Norte
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, 92688
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the vacancy rate in Rancho Santa Margarita North?
The vacancy rate is 0.8%, lower than 91.7% of U.S. neighborhoods, indicating strong housing demand.
Is Rancho Santa Margarita North good for college students?
Yes, it ranks among the top 1.1% of college-friendly neighborhoods in California.