D+
3%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
7%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
2%
Property crime NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects the 2022 calendar year and was released from the FBI in September, 2023; this is the most current data available.
StatisticReportedincidents/100k peopleRedwood City/100k peopleCalifornia/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime1,890n/a (estimate)2,3872,8432,324
Murder2n/a2.55.76.3
Rape41n/a51.837.440.0
Robbery99n/a125.0123.566.1
Assault170n/a214.7332.8268.2
Violent crime312n/a (estimate)394500370
Burglary234n/a295.5371.9269.8
Theft1,079n/a1,362.71,499.31,401.9
Vehicle theft265n/a334.7471.9282.7
Property crime1,578n/a (estimate)1,9932,3431,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Redwood City, CA

The Redwood City crime rates are 2.7% higher than the national average. There are two main categories of crime - violent crime and property crime. Violent crime consists of murder, rape, robbery and assault, while property crimes include burglary, theft and vehicle theft. There were a total of 312 violent crimes in Redwood City (394 per 100,000 people), which is 6.6% higher than the national average and there were a total of 1578 property crimes (1993 per 100,000 residents) which is 2% higher than average.

The Redwood City crime rate is about average when compared to all the other cities across the U.S. per 100,000 residents. When we compared the total crimes (violent and property) in Redwood City, we found that the reported crime rates were almost equal to the average of all other areas that reported crime.

The violent crime rate in Redwood City closely mirrors the national average among all cities that reported crime, with 394 incidents per 100,000 people. The national average for violent crime per 100,000 people was 370. This consistency highlights Redwood City as a community where safety standards are in line with the broader national landscape, providing residents with a reliable sense of security.

Redwood City exhibits a property crime rate closely aligned with the national average. There were 1993 reported property crimes, which closely matches the national average of 1954 per 100,000 people. Consequently, the area's safety profile mirrors that of an average city, neither notably safer nor more dangerous than the norm. This balance suggests that Redwood City maintains a consistent approach to property crime prevention in line with the broader national landscape.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Redwood City?

AreaVibes conducted surveys inquiring about the safety perception of Redwood City residents. Out of the respondents (20 in total), 45% expressed a strong sense of security, believing that crime rates in Redwood City were low, and they felt comfortable walking alone at night. Conversely, 55% held a contrasting viewpoint, expressing concerns about safety in the area and feeling uncomfortable walking alone during the nighttime hours.

Is Redwood City a Safe Place to Live?

Before you decide to relocate, it’s always good to ask yourself “Is Redwood City a safe place to live?” Although the answer might not be that simple, as some areas are safer than others, getting a good feel for the overall rate of crime can definitely be helpful. Overall, the Redwood City crime rate is 3% higher than the national average. If we break that down daily, that translates into 5.18 crimes per day - 0.85 violent crimes and 4.32 property crimes.

Has Crime in Redwood City Increased Since Last Year?

Year-over-year crime data allows residents and potential residents to assess the crime in Redwood City. A decrease in crime rates may indicate improving safety, while an increase could raise concerns. The year-over-year crime rate in Redwood City has increased by 12.8%. Violent crimes have increased by 66.8%, while property crimes have increased by 6%. By comparing crime rates from one year to the next, authorities and communities can identify trends and patterns in criminal activity. This helps in understanding whether crime is increasing, decreasing, or remaining stable over time.

Potential Causes for Crime in Redwood City

Regions characterized by high population density frequently encompass expansive urban hubs that offer diverse economic prospects. In such areas, income inequality can be exacerbated, creating pockets of poverty alongside affluence. Economic disparities within these regions may correlate with elevated property crimes and, in certain instances, violent crimes. Conversely, areas with low population density numbers generally exhibit reduced Redwood City crime rates. Redwood City registers a population density of 4371 people per square mile, in contrast to the national average of 90.6 people per square mile.

High cost of living can lead to economic stress for individuals and families, particularly those with limited financial resources. When people struggle to make ends meet due to high housing costs, healthcare expenses, or other basic necessities, they may be more inclined to engage in criminal activities, such as theft or fraud, as a means of financial survival. On the flipside, cities that have a lower cost of living, could see a reduced crime rate. In Redwood City, the cost of living is 109.81% higher than the national average.

High rental costs can limit economic mobility, making it difficult for individuals to save money, invest in education, or access better job opportunities. This can perpetuate a cycle of poverty and increase the risk of involvement in criminal activities. In summary, high rental costs can create economic challenges, overcrowding, and neighborhood dynamics that may increase the likelihood of certain types of crime, particularly property crimes. In Redwood City, the average rental rates are $2,427 per month, compared to the national average of $949.

Redwood City crime map



The Redwood City crime map provides a detailed overview of all crimes in Redwood City as reported by the local law enforcement agencies. Based on the color coded legend above, the crime map outlines the areas with lower crime compared to the areas with higher crime. The Redwood City crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the Redwood City crime map does not always indicate that it is a dangerous area for its residents. Areas on the heat map could be inflated if they are located in high traffic areas like airports, sports centers or large parks. Other areas on the heat map could see increased crime rates if they are located in major tourist areas like the downtown core.
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Compare Redwood City, CA Crime

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      Crime Quick Facts

      • Redwood City crime rates are 3% higher than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Redwood City are 7% higher than the national average
      • In Redwood City you have a 1 in 42 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Redwood City is safer than 26% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Redwood City has increased by 24%

      Redwood City, CA Crime Quiz

         

        Safest Places to Live in and Around Redwood City

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        Daily Crime In Redwood City (per 100,000 people)

        The bar chart above reveals the rate of daily crimes in Redwood City for every 100,000 residents. The Redwood City total amount of daily crime is 1.19 times less than the California average and 1.03 times more than than that of the nation. As for violent crimes, the daily average in Redwood City, is 1.27 times less than the California average, and it is 1.07 times more than the national average. The statistics for property crimes show that Redwood City has a daily crime average that is 1.18 times less than the California average and 1.02 times more than the daily national rate.

        How Safe is Redwood City (higher is better)

        Is Redwood City safe in comparison to other cities in the state of California as well as in comparison to the rest of the areas across the United States. Using the gauges above, which compare crime in Redwood City to other cities in the state and across the country, Redwood City is 43% safer than other cities of California and 26% safer than other cities in the nation. Redwood City has a ranks below average in comparison to other cities in the country.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Redwood City

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Redwood City is 1 in 254
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Redwood City is 1 in 51
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Redwood City is 1 in 42
        Interested in knowing the odds that you will be a crime victim in Redwood City? In Redwood City, you have a 1 in 254 chance of falling victim to a violent crime, such as rape, robbery, assault, or even murder. In terms of property crime, your chances of being a victim are 1 in 51. These crimes include theft, vehicle theft, and burglary. Your overall chance of being a victim of crime in Redwood City, CA is 1 in 42.

        Year Over Year Crime In Redwood City (per 100,000 people)

        A good indicator of whether Redwood City is becoming a safer or a more dangerous place to live can be determined by analyzing the year over year crime rate (per 100,000 people). The number of violent crimes in Redwood City has increased by 83%, while the property crime rate in Redwood City has increased by 16% year over year. The number of total crimes in Redwood City has increased by 24% year over year.

        Redwood City police department

        Item Redwood City California National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)11551,506558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents1.53.63.3
        There are a total of 115 Redwood City police officers. This results in 1.5 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 59.4% less than the California average and 54.9% less than the National average.

        Sex offenders in California

        State Total offenders California /100K National /100K
        California79,891232266
        There are a total of 79,891 sex offenders in California. This yields a total of 232 sex offenders in California per 100,000 residents which is 13% less than the national average.

        Nearby Cities With Low Crime Rates

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Ladera, CA1,38570329399
        Montara, CA2,83378368446
        West Menlo Park, CA3,72095446542
        Moss Beach, CA3,43695446542
        Loyola, CA3,40495446542
        Emerald Lake Hills, CA4,893130609738
        Highlands-Baywood Park, CA4,261130609738
        Redwood City, CA84,5183941,9932,387

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Alhambra, CA84,5092012,5652,765
        Johns Creek, GA84,55141475516
        Santa Fe, NM84,4189234,8855,808
        New Braunfels, TX84,6221881,4141,602
        Danbury, CT84,6501381,3061,443
        Redwood City, CA84,5183941,9932,387
        Source: The Redwood City, CA crime data displayed above is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reports for the year of 2022. The crime report encompasses more than 18,000 city and state law enforcement agencies reporting data on property and violent crimes. The uniform crime reports program represents approximately 309 million American residents, which results in 98% coverage of metropolitan statistical areas.