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C+

Is San Carlos, California Safe?

Population 29,261 · Safer than 44% of US cities

Improving· 2023 FBI UCR data

San Carlos is a smaller community of 29,261 people with a C+ safety grade. Crime runs well below the national average for violent offenses, and the overall rate sits at 194.7 per 1,000. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,525 per 100K.

San Carlos Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricSan CarlosCalifornia AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate212.0333.9363.8
Property Crime Rate1734.62099.21,832.3
Murder Rate2.0--5.7
Assault Rate142.0--268.2
Theft Rate1525.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate319.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyC+

194.7 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeB-

212/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeC

1735/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for San Carlos

Violent crime in San Carlos is well below the national average. The rate of 212.0 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 1734.6 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,525 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

San Carlos Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder2
035% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault142
053% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery42
066% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary332
01.2x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,525
01.1x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft319
01.0x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How San Carlos Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

San Carlos
212.0
State
333.9
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

San Carlos
1734.6
State
2099.2
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About San Carlos Safety

Is San Carlos safe?
It depends on where in San Carlos you are. The city gets a C+ overall, with violent crime well below the national average and property crime close to the national average. Some areas are safer than others.
What is the crime rate in San Carlos?
194.7 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 212.0 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 1734.6 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is San Carlos safe for tourists?
Stick to well-traveled areas and you'll be fine. San Carlos has a C+ grade, so it's not the safest destination, but tourist areas generally see less violent crime than the citywide average suggests.
What are the safest neighborhoods in San Carlos?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in San Carlos generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the San Carlos police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in San Carlos?
No. Crime in San Carlos has been trending down, which is good news for the C+-rated city.
How does San Carlos compare to other cities in California?
Middle of the pack for California. San Carlos isn't the safest option in the state, but it's not the most concerning either, ranking around the 49th percentile among California cities.
How safe is San Carlos to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is well below the national average, which is encouraging. Crime has been dropping, which helps.
How bad is crime in San Carlos?
Mixed. Violent crime is well below the national average, and property crime is close to the national average. It's not great, but it's not the worst either, landing at the 44th percentile nationally.
What is the violent crime rate in San Carlos?
212.0 per 100,000, which is 42% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (142), robbery (42), and murder (2.0) 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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