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D

Is Scotts Valley, California Safe?

Population 11,652 · Safer than 19% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

With a violent crime rate close to the national average, Scotts Valley faces real safety challenges. It earns a D grade and ranks below 81% of US cities. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,816 per 100K.

Scotts Valley Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricScotts ValleyCalifornia AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate350.9333.9363.8
Property Crime Rate2247.92099.21,832.3
Murder Rate4.0--5.7
Assault Rate199.0--268.2
Theft Rate1816.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate322.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD

259.9 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC

351/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD

2248/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Scotts Valley

Violent crime in Scotts Valley is close to the national average. The rate of 350.9 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2247.9 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,816 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Scotts Valley Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder4
070% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault199
074% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery87
01.4x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary364
01.3x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,816
01.3x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft322
01.0x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Scotts Valley Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Scotts Valley
350.9
State
333.9
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Scotts Valley
2247.9
State
2099.2
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Scotts Valley Safety

Is Scotts Valley safe?
Not especially. Scotts Valley earns a D with a crime rate of 259.9 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 Scotts Valley?
259.9 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 350.9 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2247.9 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Scotts Valley safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Scotts Valley's D grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,816 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Scotts Valley?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Scotts Valley generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Scotts Valley police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Scotts Valley?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Scotts Valley's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a D grade overall.
How does Scotts Valley compare to other cities in California?
Below average for the state. Scotts Valley ranks behind about 82% of California cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.2x the national rate.
How safe is Scotts Valley 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 Scotts Valley?
Bad. A D grade and 259.9 per-thousand rate put Scotts Valley below 81% of US cities. Violent crime at 351 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Scotts Valley?
350.9 per 100,000, which is 4% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (199), robbery (87), and murder (4.0) 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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