Poway, Santee's neighboring community just minutes north, has been named the seventh-safest city in California according to a new security analysis by Safewise.

The annual report examines per capita crime rates across California cities, and Poway's placement reflects what many East County residents already know: the region offers relative safety compared to coastal and urban areas of San Diego County.

Danville in the Bay Area claimed the top spot for the sixth time in nine years, reporting just 5.9 property crimes and 0.6 violent crimes per 1,000 residents. Statewide, California averages 20.84 property crimes and 4.24 violent crimes per 1,000 people.

Other Southern California cities on the list include Rancho Santa Margarita (#2), Moorpark (#4), Yorba Linda (#5), and Laguna Niguel (#8). Poway was the only San Diego County city to crack the top 10.

The report comes as 60% of Californians say they're highly concerned about property crime, the second-highest percentage nationwide. Only 37% of Californians say they feel safe in the state, according to Safewise survey data.

For Santee residents, Poway's recognition underscores the appeal of East County communities that balance accessibility to San Diego with lower crime rates and family-friendly environments. The two cities share school district boundaries in some areas and many residents commute between them for work and recreation.

The full Safewise analysis is available at safewise.com.