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D

Is Sonoma, California Safe?

Population 10,537 · Safer than 18% of US cities

Stable· 2023 FBI UCR data

Crime in Sonoma runs high. The city's D grade puts it below 82% of US cities, with violent crime close to the national average. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,417 per 100K.

Sonoma Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricSonomaCalifornia AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate342.6333.9363.8
Property Crime Rate2289.12099.21,832.3
Murder Rate7.0--5.7
Assault Rate194.0--268.2
Theft Rate1417.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate331.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD

263.2 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC

343/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD

2289/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Sonoma

Violent crime in Sonoma is close to the national average. The rate of 342.6 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2289.1 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,417 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Sonoma Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder7
01.2x national avgAvg: 5.7
Assault194
072% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery81
01.3x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary398
01.5x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,417
01.0x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft331
01.0x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Sonoma Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Sonoma
342.6
State
333.9
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Sonoma
2289.1
State
2099.2
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Sonoma Safety

Is Sonoma safe?
Not especially. Sonoma earns a D with a crime rate of 263.2 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 Sonoma?
263.2 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 342.6 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2289.1 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Sonoma safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Sonoma's D grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,417 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Sonoma?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Sonoma generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Sonoma police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Sonoma?
Crime rates have held steady in Sonoma, without significant movement in either direction. The city maintains its D grade.
How does Sonoma compare to other cities in California?
Below average for the state. Sonoma ranks behind about 90% of California cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.2x the national rate.
How safe is Sonoma to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is close to the national average, which is encouraging. Rates have been stable.
How bad is crime in Sonoma?
Bad. A D grade and 263.2 per-thousand rate put Sonoma below 82% of US cities. Violent crime at 343 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Sonoma?
342.6 per 100,000, which is 6% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (194), robbery (81), 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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