CHULA VISTA — Chula Vista was the 10th safest city in the U.S. with a population above 200,000, according to a report released Monday based on FBI crime statistics from 2012.
The southern San Diego County city had a murder rate of 1 person per about 300,000 residents, according to the study, put together by lawstreetmedia.com. There were nearly 233 violent crimes per 100,000 people.
"Chula Vista is on our safest cities list due to its advantageous coastline location, wide array of small businesses and tourist hot spots, and its safe environment," the organization said.
The city's diversity -- 53.7 percent white, 37.8 percent Hispanic, 14.4 percent Asian, and 4.6 percent black -- was also highlighted. The population of Chula Vista nearly is 250,000.
Irvine was listed as the safest large city in the United States, with a violent crime rate of 50.57 per 100,000 people. Fremont, in the Bay Area, was fourth -- the only other California city listed.
Detroit, with a violent crime rate of 2,122.91 per 100,000 people, was rated the most dangerous big city in the U.S. Oakland was second and Stockton was fifth.
