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C-

Is Foster City, California Safe?

Population 32,411 · Safer than 26% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

In a community of 32,411, each crime incident has a bigger statistical impact. Foster City earns a C- with violent crime below the national average. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,394 per 100K.

Foster City Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricFoster CityCalifornia AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate283.4333.9363.8
Property Crime Rate2088.02099.21,832.3
Murder Rate6.0--5.7
Assault Rate203.0--268.2
Theft Rate1394.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate324.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyC-

237.1 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC+

283/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD+

2088/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Foster City

Violent crime in Foster City is below the national average. The rate of 283.4 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 2088.0 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,394 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Foster City Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder6
01.1x national avgAvg: 5.7
Assault203
076% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery41
065% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary297
01.1x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,394
099% of avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft324
01.0x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Foster City Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Foster City
283.4
State
333.9
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Foster City
2088.0
State
2099.2
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Foster City Safety

Is Foster City safe?
Not especially. Foster City earns a C- with a crime rate of 237.1 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs below the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Foster City?
237.1 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 283.4 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2088.0 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Foster City safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Foster City's C- grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,394 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Foster City?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Foster City generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Foster City police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Foster City?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Foster City's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a C- grade overall.
How does Foster City compare to other cities in California?
Below average for the state. Foster City ranks behind about 72% of California cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.1x the national rate.
How safe is Foster City 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 Foster City?
Bad. A C- grade and 237.1 per-thousand rate put Foster City below 74% of US cities. Violent crime at 283 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Foster City?
283.4 per 100,000, which is 22% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (203), robbery (41), and murder (6.0) 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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