Is Brea Safe, Pros and cons of living in Brea
Brea, California, offers a blend of suburban tranquility and access to the vibrant Southern California lifestyle. This city in northern Orange County is known for its appealing neighborhoods, reputable schools, and convenient location between Los Angeles and the coast. Brea provides a range of amenities, including shopping centers like the Brea Mall and a historic downtown area.
The city’s history is rooted in oil production and citrus farming, evolving into a significant retail and residential hub. Its strategic positioning near major freeways facilitates commutes to surrounding employment centers. Brea’s public art program, featuring numerous sculptures and mosaics, adds a unique cultural dimension to the city.
Is it Safe to Live in Brea?
Brea’s overall crime rate is higher than the national average, with property crimes contributing significantly to this statistic. However, the city’s violent crime rate is notably lower than the national average. Residents have a 1 in 33 chance of becoming a victim of crime in Brea, with a 1 in 35 chance of being a victim of property crime and a 1 in 475 chance of being a victim of violent crime (as reported by AreaVibes and PlainCrime).
Specific neighborhoods within Brea exhibit varying safety levels. The eastern parts of the city are generally considered the safest, while southern neighborhoods may experience higher crime rates. CrimeGrade.org assigns Brea a D+ for violent crime, indicating it is slightly higher than the average U.S. city, and ranks it in the 30th percentile for safety (meaning it is safer than 30% of cities) (as reported by CrimeGrade.org).
Housing Costs and Availability
The housing market in Brea is characterized by high prices, significantly exceeding both national and state averages. The median home price in Brea is approximately $1.28 million, an increase of 21.2% since last year (as reported by Redfin).
Rental costs are also substantial, with the average rent for an apartment in Brea around $2,792 per month (as reported by Zillow). This is considerably higher than the national average rent. For those seeking to buy, the median sale price per square foot is around $603, a decrease of 5.3% year-over-year (as reported by Redfin).
Job Market and Economic Landscape
Brea’s economy is supported by a diverse range of industries, with healthcare and social assistance, manufacturing, and educational services being major employers (as reported by Data USA). The city’s labor force consists of approximately 23,820 individuals, reflecting a slight decrease from the previous month and year (as reported by YCharts).
The average annual salary in Brea is around $53,381, though this can vary significantly based on occupation and experience (as reported by ZipRecruiter). Top-paying sectors include utilities, public administration, and manufacturing (as reported by Data USA).
Cost of Living
Brea’s overall cost of living is considerably higher than the national average, estimated to be around 39% higher (as reported by Salary.com). Housing is the primary driver of these elevated costs, being approximately 193% higher than the national average (as reported by Redfin).
While housing expenses are the largest contributor, other costs such as groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare also contribute to the higher cost of living. Food expenses are about 8% higher than the national average, though healthcare costs are slightly lower (as reported by Redfin).
Climate and Weather
Brea experiences a mild Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and cool, wet winters. The average daily high temperature in August reaches about 87°F, while the average low in December is around 45°F (as reported by NOAA and Time and Date).
Annual precipitation is modest, with approximately 11 inches of rainfall, predominantly occurring in December and February. Snowfall is nonexistent in Brea. The city enjoys abundant sunshine, with July being the sunniest month, averaging over 12 hours of sunlight per day (as reported by NOAA and Time and Date).
Education and School Ratings
Brea is primarily served by the Brea Olinda Unified School District, which operates multiple elementary, junior high, and high schools. The district generally receives positive ratings, with Niche ranking it highly for its teachers and overall quality (as reported by Niche).
Individual schools within the district also receive strong reviews. For example, Brea-Olinda High School is rated A- overall by Niche, and Brea Country Hills Elementary School holds an A- rating, with strong performance in math and reading proficiency (as reported by Niche).
Demographics
As of the most recent data, Brea has a population of approximately 47,469 residents (as reported by Data USA and US Census Bureau). The city’s population is diverse, with White residents making up about 35.4%, followed by Hispanic (29.9%) and Asian (27.7%) populations (as reported by US Census Bureau and Census Dots).
The median age in Brea is 39.7 years, reflecting a mix of age groups. A significant portion of residents, about 24.4%, were born outside the United States (as reported by Data USA).
Major Employers
Several large companies operate within Brea, contributing significantly to its employment landscape. Top employers include Albertsons, Beckman Coulter, and the Brea Olinda Unified School District (as reported by the city’s 2023 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report). Other notable companies with a presence in Brea include Nationwide, Nordstrom, and The Olive Garden.
Other major companies in the area include Walmart, Target, and FedEx, which offer a wide array of employment opportunities across various sectors. Beckman Coulter is recognized as a significant employer, focusing on biomedical testing products.