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D+

Is San Rafael, California Safe?

Population 59,410 · Safer than 24% of US cities

Improving· 2023 FBI UCR data

A D+ grade for San Rafael means there's room for concern. The 243.2 per-thousand crime rate and violent crime below the national average tell the story. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,556 per 100K.

San Rafael Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricSan RafaelCalifornia AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate251.7333.9363.8
Property Crime Rate2180.32099.21,832.3
Murder Rate5.0--5.7
Assault Rate189.0--268.2
Theft Rate1556.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate512.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD+

243.2 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC+

252/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD

2180/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for San Rafael

Violent crime in San Rafael is below the national average. The rate of 251.7 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2180.3 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,556 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

San Rafael Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder5
088% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault189
070% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery59
093% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary231
086% of avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,556
01.1x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft512
01.6x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How San Rafael Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

San Rafael
251.7
State
333.9
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

San Rafael
2180.3
State
2099.2
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About San Rafael Safety

Is San Rafael safe?
Not especially. San Rafael earns a D+ with a crime rate of 243.2 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs below the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in San Rafael?
243.2 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 251.7 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2180.3 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is San Rafael safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. San Rafael's D+ grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,556 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in San Rafael?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in San Rafael generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the San Rafael police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in San Rafael?
No. Crime in San Rafael has been trending down, which is good news for the D+-rated city.
How does San Rafael compare to other cities in California?
Below average for the state. San Rafael ranks behind about 83% of California cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.2x the national rate.
How safe is San Rafael to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is below the national average, which is encouraging. Crime has been dropping, which helps.
How bad is crime in San Rafael?
Bad. A D+ grade and 243.2 per-thousand rate put San Rafael below 76% of US cities. Violent crime at 252 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in San Rafael?
251.7 per 100,000, which is 31% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (189), robbery (59), 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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