California Crime Statistics

46 years of data (19792024)

Key Insights

  • California ranks #7 out of 51 states for violent crime rate (486.0 per 100K).
  • Violent crime decreased 4.1% from 2023 to 2024.
  • 461 cities report crime data. Safest: Belvedere (0.0/100K). Most dangerous: Industry (36614.2/100K).
  • 1,782 murders in 2024 — a rate of 4.5 per 100K residents.
  • Since 1979, California's violent crime rate has changed by -40%.
Violent Crime Rate
486.0
-4.1% YoY
Murder Rate
4.5
1,782 total
Property Crime Rate
2078.4
819,559 total
Population
39,431,263
2024

2024 Crime Breakdown

Violent Crime: 191,641

Murder1,782
Rape14,436
Robbery46,943
Aggravated Assault128,480

Property Crime: 819,559

Burglary120,573
Larceny-Theft530,422
Motor Vehicle Theft168,564

Violent Crime Rate Trend

Homicide Rate Trend

Violent Crime Breakdown (2024)

Most Dangerous Cities

CityViolent RatePopulation
Industry36614.2254
Vernon24878.0205
Irwindale2333.81,414
Oakland1925.3435,042
Sand City1823.7329
Nevada City1753.83,250
Colma1596.51,378
Big Bear1581.94,994
Alturas1477.32,640
Commerce1448.011,464

Safest Cities

CityViolent RatePopulation
Belvedere0.02,025
Rolling Hills0.01,615
Tulelake0.0856
Palos Verdes Estates24.112,432
San Marino33.911,816
Villa Park35.65,611
Holtville36.15,541
Canyon Lake45.011,100
Tiburon45.78,751
Los Altos Hills49.48,092

Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer. Rates per 100,000 residents. City data from Table 8.