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C

Is Chico, California Safe?

Population 105,081 · Safer than 33% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

Chico earns a C safety grade with 220.6 crimes per 1,000 residents. Violent crime runs below the national average, putting the city behind 67% of US cities. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,275 per 100K.

Chico Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricChicoCalifornia AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate307.3333.9363.8
Property Crime Rate1898.82099.21,832.3
Murder Rate4.0--5.7
Assault Rate220.0--268.2
Theft Rate1275.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate317.0--318.3

All rates per 100,000 residents. 2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report + Census Bureau population estimates.

Overall SafetyC

220.6 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC

307/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeC

1899/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Chico

Violent crime in Chico is below the national average. The rate of 307.3 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 1898.8 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,275 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Chico Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder4
070% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault220
082% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery36
057% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary326
01.2x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,275
091% of avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft317
0100% of avgAvg: 318.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. Vertical marker = national average.

How Chico Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Chico
307.3
State
333.9
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Chico
1898.8
State
2099.2
National
1832.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. National averages from 2023 FBI UCR data.

Frequently Asked Questions About Chico Safety

Is Chico safe?
Not especially. Chico earns a C with a crime rate of 220.6 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs below the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Chico?
220.6 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 307.3 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 1898.8 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Chico safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Chico's C grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,275 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Chico?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Chico generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Chico police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Chico?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Chico's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a C grade overall.
How does Chico compare to other cities in California?
Below average for the state. Chico ranks behind about 67% of California cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.0x the national rate.
How safe is Chico to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is below the national average, which is encouraging. The upward trend in crime is concerning.
How bad is crime in Chico?
Bad. A C grade and 220.6 per-thousand rate put Chico below 67% of US cities. Violent crime at 307 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Chico?
307.3 per 100,000, which is 16% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (220), robbery (36), and murder (4.0) per 100,000.

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View all California city safety grades

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2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report data and Census Bureau population estimates. Safety grades calculated using national and state-level crime rate distributions. Not a substitute for local law enforcement guidance.

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