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D

Is Walnut Creek, California Safe?

Population 70,012 · Safer than 17% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

Walnut Creek has a crime problem that shows up in the data. The D safety grade reflects a violent crime rate close to the national average and an overall rate of 267.6 per 1,000 residents. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,910 per 100K.

Walnut Creek Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricWalnut CreekCalifornia AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate334.8333.9363.8
Property Crime Rate2340.92099.21,832.3
Murder Rate7.0--5.7
Assault Rate252.0--268.2
Theft Rate1910.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate305.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD

267.6 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC

335/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD-

2341/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Walnut Creek

Violent crime in Walnut Creek is close to the national average. The rate of 334.8 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2340.9 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,910 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Walnut Creek Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder7
01.2x national avgAvg: 5.7
Assault252
094% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery83
01.3x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary279
01.0x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,910
01.4x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft305
096% of avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Walnut Creek Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Walnut Creek
334.8
State
333.9
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Walnut Creek
2340.9
State
2099.2
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Walnut Creek Safety

Is Walnut Creek safe?
Not especially. Walnut Creek earns a D with a crime rate of 267.6 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 Walnut Creek?
267.6 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 334.8 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2340.9 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Walnut Creek safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Walnut Creek's D grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,910 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Walnut Creek?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Walnut Creek generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Walnut Creek police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Walnut Creek?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Walnut Creek's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a D grade overall.
How does Walnut Creek compare to other cities in California?
Below average for the state. Walnut Creek ranks behind about 91% of California cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.3x the national rate.
How safe is Walnut Creek 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 Walnut Creek?
Bad. A D grade and 267.6 per-thousand rate put Walnut Creek below 83% of US cities. Violent crime at 335 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Walnut Creek?
334.8 per 100,000, which is 8% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (252), robbery (83), 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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