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D

Is Menlo Park, California Safe?

Population 32,713 · Safer than 15% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

Menlo Park has a crime problem that shows up in the data. The D safety grade reflects a violent crime rate close to the national average and an overall rate of 272.7 per 1,000 residents. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,884 per 100K.

Menlo Park Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricMenlo ParkCalifornia AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate371.1333.9363.8
Property Crime Rate2355.52099.21,832.3
Murder Rate7.0--5.7
Assault Rate278.0--268.2
Theft Rate1884.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate353.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD

272.7 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC-

371/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD-

2356/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Menlo Park

Violent crime in Menlo Park is close to the national average. The rate of 371.1 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2355.5 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,884 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Menlo Park Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder7
01.2x national avgAvg: 5.7
Assault278
01.0x national avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery66
01.0x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary412
01.5x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,884
01.3x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft353
01.1x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Menlo Park Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Menlo Park
371.1
State
333.9
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Menlo Park
2355.5
State
2099.2
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Menlo Park Safety

Is Menlo Park safe?
Not especially. Menlo Park earns a D with a crime rate of 272.7 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs close to the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Menlo Park?
272.7 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 371.1 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2355.5 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Menlo Park safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Menlo Park's D grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,884 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Menlo Park?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Menlo Park generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Menlo Park police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Menlo Park?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Menlo Park's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a D grade overall.
How does Menlo Park compare to other cities in California?
Below average for the state. Menlo Park ranks behind about 85% of California cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.3x the national rate.
How safe is Menlo Park to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is close to the national average. The upward trend in crime is concerning.
How bad is crime in Menlo Park?
Bad. A D grade and 272.7 per-thousand rate put Menlo Park below 85% of US cities. Violent crime at 371 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Menlo Park?
371.1 per 100,000, which is 2% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (278), robbery (66), and murder (7.0) 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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