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D+

Is San Marcos, California Safe?

Population 94,908 · Safer than 24% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

San Marcos earns a D+ safety grade with 244.1 crimes per 1,000 residents. Violent crime runs close to the national average, putting the city behind 76% of US cities. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,437 per 100K.

San Marcos Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricSan MarcosCalifornia AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate327.0333.9363.8
Property Crime Rate2114.22099.21,832.3
Murder Rate5.0--5.7
Assault Rate193.0--268.2
Theft Rate1437.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate485.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD+

244.1 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC

327/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD+

2114/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for San Marcos

Violent crime in San Marcos is close to the national average. The rate of 327.0 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2114.2 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,437 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

San Marcos Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder5
088% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault193
072% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery65
01.0x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary318
01.2x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,437
01.0x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft485
01.5x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How San Marcos Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

San Marcos
327.0
State
333.9
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

San Marcos
2114.2
State
2099.2
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About San Marcos Safety

Is San Marcos safe?
Not especially. San Marcos earns a D+ with a crime rate of 244.1 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 San Marcos?
244.1 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 327.0 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2114.2 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is San Marcos safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. San Marcos's D+ grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,437 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in San Marcos?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in San Marcos generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the San Marcos police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in San Marcos?
Yes, there's been an uptick. San Marcos's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a D+ grade overall.
How does San Marcos compare to other cities in California?
Below average for the state. San Marcos ranks behind about 73% of California cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.2x the national rate.
How safe is San Marcos to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is close to the national average, which is encouraging. The upward trend in crime is concerning.
How bad is crime in San Marcos?
Bad. A D+ grade and 244.1 per-thousand rate put San Marcos below 76% of US cities. Violent crime at 327 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in San Marcos?
327.0 per 100,000, which is 10% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (193), robbery (65), and murder (5.0) 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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