California and Colorado Hit Hard by Vehicle Theft

In 2021, some 932,329 vehicles were reported stolen across the U.S. — a 6% increase over 2020. The NICB’s “2021 Hot Spots Report” examines states and areas that experienced the highest rates and volumes of thefts.

Staff Writer・Editorial

Read Staff's Posts

September 7, 2022

California and Colorado Hit Hard by Vehicle Theft — In 2021, Colorado led the nation with the highest overall theft rate and California had the most volume of thefts. As for Core-Based Statistical Areas, Bakersfield, Calif. tops the list for the highest vehicle theft rate in the nation.
Source: NICB

2 min to read

For the third consecutive year, Bakersfield, Calif., tops the list for the highest vehicle theft rate in the nation, according to the “2021 Hot Spots Report” from the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB).

Specifically, Bakersfield saw 1,023.68 thefts per 100,000 residents — an increase of 13% from 905.41 in 2020. Other Core-Based Statistical Areas (CBSAs) that ranked among the top five for highest theft rate include Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, Colo. with 964.92 thefts per 100,000 residents, Pueblo, Colo. (891.39), Albuquerque, N.M. (710.58), and Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, Ore.-Wash. (680.20).

On the upside, both Odessa, Texas, and Tulsa, Okla., experienced decreases in auto thefts. So these two areas dropped off the NICB’s top 10 list for vehicle theft rate in 2021.

In addition to Core-Based Statistical Areas, the report explores vehicle theft rates and theft volumes by state.

In 2021, Colorado led the nation with the highest overall theft rate at 661.21 thefts per 100,000 people, up from 502.12 in 2020, an increase of 32%. Other states that ranked among the top five for highest theft rate include Washington, D.C. with 651.00, California with 511.05, New Mexico (475.50), and Oregon (471.16).

In addition to a high theft rate, the Golden State also has the highest overall thefts by volume, with 200,524 vehicles stolen. That’s over 100,000 more thefts than Texas, which takes second place.

Also noteworthy, the top five states with the most thefts by volume — California, Texas, Illinois, Florida, and Colorado — account for 412,008, or 44%, of all vehicle thefts nationwide. Of these states, only Florida saw a slight decrease in vehicle thefts with 42,808, down from 44,940 in 2020.

Nationwide, 932,329 vehicles were reported stolen to law enforcement in 2021, a 6% increase over 2020, and a 17% increase since 2019.

Topics:NICB Colorado California auto theft Carjacking Safety

More Safety

Chris Brown sits across from safety experft at Lifesaver mobile in an interview about distracted driving and phone use tech.

Safety•by Chris Brown•May 1, 2026

Reducing Risk by Eliminating Phone Use Behind the Wheel

Distracted driving remains one of the most persistent risks in fleet operations. New approaches focus on removing mobile device use entirely while adding real-time safety support.

Safety•by Jeanny Roa•April 15, 2026

Distracted Driving in the Age of Smart Tech – Part 2

As distraction risks evolve, fleets are turning to smarter, more connected technologies to better understand what’s happening behind the wheel. Part 2 explores how these tools are helping identify risky behaviors and improve visibility across operations.

Safety•by Jeanny Roa•April 11, 2026

Data Rights, Risks, and Responsibilities After a Crash

What fleets capture to improve safety can also expose them in litigation, forcing leaders to rethink how data is managed, stored, and shared.

Driver holding a phone while steering, illustrating distracted driving and the importance of mental awareness and attention on the road for fleet safety.

Safety•by Judie Nuskey•April 10, 2026

From Distraction to Detection: Strengthening Awareness in Fleet Drivers

Distracted driving is often measured by what we can see—phones in hand, eyes off the road. But what about the distractions we can’t? A recent incident raises a bigger question about awareness, attention, and why subtle risks so often go unnoticed.

Safety•by Staff•April 8, 2026

Lytx 2026 Road Safety Report

While serious crashes are declining, a rise in minor incidents and ongoing risk hotspots underscore the need for continued fleet safety investment.

Driver’s hands on steering wheel in a sunlit vehicle, representing real-world driver behavior and the shift from data monitoring to hands-on training in fleet safety programs.

Safety•by Judie Nuskey•April 7, 2026

Behind-the-Wheel vs. Classroom Training: What Actually Changes Driver Behavior?

Fleets have more driver data than ever, so why isn't behavior changing? Training requires more than reports and coaching — it requires real-world practice.

A person in a car on their phone behind the steering wheel.

Safety•by Jeanny Roa•April 1, 2026

Distracted Driving in the Age of Smart Tech – Part 1

A two-part conversation with Stefan Heck on how AI is transforming the fight against distracted driving. As fleets adopt smarter tools, the focus shifts from reacting to preventing risk. In Part 1, we look at where AI is making an impact for fleets today.

Pedestrians crossing a busy street, highlighting the importance of driver awareness and caution to prevent pedestrian accidents.

Safety•by Staff•March 30, 2026

Automotive Fleet Magazine