F
37%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
43%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
36%
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 peopleSan Jose/100k peopleCalifornia/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime30,409n/a (estimate)3,1782,8432,324
Murder35n/a3.75.76.3
Rape894n/a93.437.440.0
Robbery1,264n/a132.1123.566.1
Assault2,853n/a298.2332.8268.2
Violent crime5,046n/a (estimate)527500370
Burglary3,884n/a405.9371.9269.8
Theft15,010n/a1,568.81,499.31,401.9
Vehicle theft6,469n/a676.1471.9282.7
Property crime25,363n/a (estimate)2,6512,3431,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in San Jose, CA

The San Jose crime rates are 36.7% 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 5046 violent crimes in San Jose (527 per 100,000 people), which is 42.6% higher than the national average and there were a total of 25363 property crimes (2651 per 100,000 residents) which is 35.6% higher than average.

Vehicle thefts across all of America are on the rise and San Jose has one of the highest vehicle theft rates in the country. In the most recent crime report, San Jose reported 6469 vehicle thefts, which equates to 676 stolen vehicles per 100,000 people. This falls in the bottom 10% of all cities, meaning that 90% of cities have better vehicle theft rates. The chance of having your vehicle stolen in San Jose is 1 in 148.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in San Jose?

What is the prevailing sentiment among San Jose residents regarding the state of crime? A comprehensive survey conducted by AreaVibes, involving 115 respondents, sheds light on this matter. The results were as follows: 47% of San Jose residents expressed a notable sense of security, asserting that crime was virtually non-existent in their community, and they felt at ease strolling the streets after dark. While, 53% of those surveyed held a contrasting viewpoint, perceiving a higher incidence of crime, leading them to feel apprehensive about walking alone at night.

Is San Jose a Safe Place to Live?

Before you decide to relocate, it’s always good to ask yourself “Is San Jose 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 San Jose crime rate is 37% higher than the national average. If we break that down daily, that translates into 83.31 crimes per day - 13.82 violent crimes and 69.49 property crimes.

Has Crime in San Jose Increased Since Last Year?

Year-over-year crime rates in San Jose has increased by 7.8% in the last reported crime report. Comparing crime rates from one year to another offers some insight into whether or not San Jose is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live. Crime rates are categorized by violent and property crime. Year-over-year violent crime has increased by 15.3%, while property crime has increased by 6.4%. This analysis equips individuals with crucial information for making informed decisions about living in San Jose.

San Jose Neighborhood Crime Rates

The San Jose area comprises a diverse array of over 18 distinct neighborhoods, each exhibiting a unique crime rate influenced by location and various socioeconomic factors. Generally, neighborhoods situated in proximity to the city center, characterized by higher population density, often report elevated crime rates. Conversely, the outlying neighborhoods, marked by lower population density and reduced unemployment and poverty rates, tend to experience lower crime incidence. Some neighborhoods with lower crime rates include: Cambrian Park, Evergreen and Berryessa which foster a strong sense of safety. Conversely, neighborhoods such as Downtown, Fairgrounds and East San Jose exhibit crime rates above the average, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive research when evaluating different San Jose neighborhoods, given their considerable variation in crime rates.

Potential Causes for Crime in San Jose

San Jose has a poverty rate of 8.3, while the national average is 15.1. In the past, there has been a direct correlation between high or low poverty rates and high or low crime stats. Elevated poverty levels and income disparities can contribute to heightened criminal activity, as individuals may resort to unlawful means to address their fundamental necessities. While lower poverty levels have led to a reduction in typical crime levels compared to other areas.

In areas where employment options are limited or where a significant proportion of jobs offer meager wages, the likelihood of heightened unemployment and homelessness increases. Regions facing challenges related to unemployment or inadequate income may become more vulnerable to a surge in crime stemming from economic instability. While low unemployment rates tend to lead to reduced crime in most areas. San Jose currently has an unemployment rate of 3.2%, contrasting with the national average of 4.7%. This could be one of many factors that could contribute to a higher or lower crime rate.

The impact of law enforcement and community policing efforts plays a crucial role in shaping crime rates in any city. A robust and cooperative bond between law enforcement and the community can serve as a deterrent to criminal activities, enhancing overall safety. In San Jose, the ratio of police officers and civilians per 1,000 residents stands at 1.47, differing from the national average of 3.25. Effective law enforcement hinges not solely on officer numbers but also on the manner in which they interact and collaborate with the community. Building trust and cooperation are central tenets of community policing, amplifying its influence on crime prevention.

San Jose crime map



The San Jose crime map provides a detailed overview of all crimes in San Jose 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 San Jose crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the San Jose 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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Crime Quick Facts

  • San Jose crime rates are 37% higher than the national average
  • Violent crimes in San Jose are 43% higher than the national average
  • In San Jose you have a 1 in 32 chance of becoming a victim of crime
  • San Jose is safer than 15% of the cities in the United States
  • Year over year crime in San Jose has increased by 16%

San Jose, CA Crime Quiz

     

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        Daily Crime In San Jose (per 100,000 people)

        The above illustration depicts the number of crimes committed daily in San Jose, per 100,000 residents. In San Jose, the total number of daily crimes is 1.12 times more than the California average and 1.37 times more than the national average. Violent daily crime statistics in San Jose are 1.06 times more than the California average and 1.43 times more than the national average. For property crime, San Jose has a daily crime rate that is 1.13 times more than the California average and 1.36 times more than the daily national average.

        How Safe is San Jose (higher is better)

        When comparing the safety of San Jose to every other city in California, as well as the entirety of the United States, is San Jose safe? The gauges above illustrate that San Jose is safer than 23% of every city located within California along with 15% of the all the cities located in the United States. The results of these graphs are created after analyzing each of the cities in California and in the United States as a whole. As a result, San Jose, CA is ranked below average when compared to the rest of the US cities.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in San Jose

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in San Jose is 1 in 190
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in San Jose is 1 in 38
        The chance of being a victim of crime in San Jose is 1 in 32
        Interested in knowing the odds that you will be a crime victim in San Jose? In San Jose, you have a 1 in 190 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 38. These crimes include theft, vehicle theft, and burglary. Your overall chance of being a victim of crime in San Jose, CA is 1 in 32.

        Year Over Year Crime In San Jose (per 100,000 people)

        An analysis of year to year crime rates in San Jose, California (per 100,000 people) is a useful indicator of whether the area is becoming a safer or a more dangerous place to live. The amount of violent crime in San Jose has increased by 24%, the amount of property crime in San Jose has increased by 14%, and the total amount of crime in San Jose has increased by 16% year over year.

        San Jose police department

        Item San Jose California National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)1,43551,506558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents1.53.63.3
        There are a total of 1,435 San Jose police officers. This results in 1.5 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 59.3% less than the California average and 54.8% 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
        Lexington Hills, CA2,65678368446
        Loyola, CA3,40495446542
        Cambrian Park, CA3,01595446542
        Saratoga, CA31,08441816856
        East Foothills, CA6,815163762925
        Los Altos Hills, CA8,49625952977
        Monte Sereno, CA3,511601,1191,179
        San Jose, CA1,029,4095272,6513,178

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Austin, TX965,8725403,5904,130
        Jacksonville, FL902,4883872,3392,726
        Fort Worth, TX892,2215022,7403,242
        Columbus, OH889,0794503,4843,934
        San Francisco, CA874,7846966,2466,942
        San Jose, CA1,029,4095272,6513,178
        Source: The San Jose, 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.