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D-

Is Watsonville, California Safe?

Population 50,716 · Safer than 14% of US cities

Improving· 2023 FBI UCR data

Crime in Watsonville runs high. The city's D- grade puts it below 86% of US cities, with violent crime above the national average. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,787 per 100K.

Watsonville Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricWatsonvilleCalifornia AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate438.6333.9363.8
Property Crime Rate2343.42099.21,832.3
Murder Rate6.0--5.7
Assault Rate257.0--268.2
Theft Rate1787.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate437.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD-

278.2 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeD

439/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD-

2343/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Watsonville

Violent crime in Watsonville is above the national average. The rate of 438.6 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2343.4 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,787 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Watsonville Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder6
01.1x national avgAvg: 5.7
Assault257
096% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery52
082% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary353
01.3x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,787
01.3x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft437
01.4x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Watsonville Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Watsonville
438.6
State
333.9
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Watsonville
2343.4
State
2099.2
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Watsonville Safety

Is Watsonville safe?
Not especially. Watsonville earns a D- with a crime rate of 278.2 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs above the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Watsonville?
278.2 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 438.6 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2343.4 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Watsonville safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Watsonville's D- grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,787 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Watsonville?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Watsonville generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Watsonville police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Watsonville?
No. Crime in Watsonville has been trending down, which is good news for the D--rated city.
How does Watsonville compare to other cities in California?
Below average for the state. Watsonville ranks behind about 96% of California cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.3x the national rate.
How safe is Watsonville to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is above the national average. Crime has been dropping, which helps.
How bad is crime in Watsonville?
Bad. A D- grade and 278.2 per-thousand rate put Watsonville below 86% of US cities. Violent crime at 439 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Watsonville?
438.6 per 100,000, which is 21% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (257), robbery (52), and murder (6.0) 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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