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D+

Is South Lake Tahoe, California Safe?

Population 21,115 · Safer than 22% of US cities

Improving· 2023 FBI UCR data

South Lake Tahoe is a smaller community of 21,115 people with a D+ safety grade. Crime runs close to the national average for violent offenses, and the overall rate sits at 250.4 per 1,000. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,905 per 100K.

South Lake Tahoe Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricSouth Lake TahoeCalifornia AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate347.9333.9363.8
Property Crime Rate2156.12099.21,832.3
Murder Rate5.0--5.7
Assault Rate220.0--268.2
Theft Rate1905.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate201.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD+

250.4 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC

348/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD+

2156/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for South Lake Tahoe

Violent crime in South Lake Tahoe is close to the national average. The rate of 347.9 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2156.1 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,905 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

South Lake Tahoe Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder5
088% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault220
082% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery38
060% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary332
01.2x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,905
01.4x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft201
063% of avgAvg: 318.3

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

How South Lake Tahoe Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

South Lake Tahoe
347.9
State
333.9
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

South Lake Tahoe
2156.1
State
2099.2
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About South Lake Tahoe Safety

Is South Lake Tahoe safe?
Not especially. South Lake Tahoe earns a D+ with a crime rate of 250.4 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 South Lake Tahoe?
250.4 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 347.9 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2156.1 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is South Lake Tahoe safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. South Lake Tahoe's D+ grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,905 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in South Lake Tahoe?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in South Lake Tahoe generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the South Lake Tahoe police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in South Lake Tahoe?
No. Crime in South Lake Tahoe has been trending down, which is good news for the D+-rated city.
How does South Lake Tahoe compare to other cities in California?
Below average for the state. South Lake Tahoe ranks behind about 76% of California cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.2x the national rate.
How safe is South Lake Tahoe to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is close to the national average, which is encouraging. Crime has been dropping, which helps.
How bad is crime in South Lake Tahoe?
Bad. A D+ grade and 250.4 per-thousand rate put South Lake Tahoe below 78% of US cities. Violent crime at 348 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in South Lake Tahoe?
347.9 per 100,000, which is 4% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (220), robbery (38), 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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