A-
45%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
41%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
46%
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 Marcos/100k peopleCalifornia/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime1,213n/a (estimate)1,2782,8432,324
Murder0n/a0.05.76.3
Rape7n/a7.437.440.0
Robbery62n/a65.3123.566.1
Assault137n/a144.4332.8268.2
Violent crime206n/a (estimate)217500370
Burglary185n/a195.0371.9269.8
Theft644n/a678.81,499.31,401.9
Vehicle theft178n/a187.6471.9282.7
Property crime1,007n/a (estimate)1,0612,3431,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in San Marcos, CA

When we analyze the latest crime report, the San Marcos crime rate is 45% lower than the national average. These incidents are classified into two primary categories: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes include assault, robbery, rape and murder. Whereas property crimes encompass theft, vehicle theft and burglary. In the case of San Marcos, there were 206 reported violent crimes, equivalent to 217 per 100,000 individuals, 41.3% lower than the national average. Additionally, San Marcos recorded 1007 property crimes, amounting to 1061 per 100,000 residents, 45.7% lower than the U.S. average.

San Marcos showcased a dedication to violent crime safety in its latest reported crime year by achieving a murder rate of 0. This accomplishment could indicate that it is a safe place for residents, but also provides a shining example to other urban areas endeavoring to create safer communities.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in San Marcos?

What do the local residents think about crime in San Marcos? Well, based on a recent survey of 23 people (conducted by AreaVibes), 83% of San Marcos residents said that there was virtually no crime and that they felt safe walking at night. Another 17% of respondents said that there was too much crime in the area and they did not feel safe walking alone at night.

Is San Marcos a Safe Place to Live?

To get a feel for the safety of living in San Marcos, it's essential to analyze both the overall crime rate and the daily incident count. San Marcos presents a total crime rate that is 45% lower than the national average per 100,000 residents. Consequently, San Marcos experiences an average of 3.32 daily crimes, comprising 0.56 violent incidents and 2.76 property-related offenses. This evaluation offers a comprehensive understanding of the safety landscape, aiding individuals in making informed decisions when considering relocation.

Has Crime in San Marcos Increased Since Last Year?

Year-over-year crime data allows us to analyze short-term trends in crime activity. By comparing crime rates from one year to the next, we can identify patterns and shifts in San Marcos crime rates. This information can be invaluable for residents looking to make informed decisions on where to live. When comparing the most recent year to the previous year, total crime in San Marcos has increased by 4.1% year over year. Violent crime has increased by 6.2% and property crime has increased by 3.7%.

Potential Causes for Crime in San Marcos

In San Marcos, the poverty rate currently stands at 10%, which contrasts with the national average of 15.1%. It's essential to recognize that the economic status of a city's inhabitants could be a pivotal factor influencing crime stats. Communities grappling with high poverty rates and income inequality are often susceptible to elevated crime levels, as some individuals may turn to unlawful activities to fulfill their essential needs. While lower poverty rates could lead to a reduction in San Marcos crime rates.

San Marcos has a population density of 3917 people per square mile, while with the national average is 90.6 people per square mile. Cities characterized by high population density are frequently larger urban centers offering diverse economic prospects. Within these areas, income inequality may be accentuated, resulting in the coexistence of poverty and affluence. Such economic disparities can contribute to elevated property crimes and on occasion, violent crimes. Conversely, areas with low population density generally record lower San Marcos crime rates.

The quality of housing and neighborhood conditions can influence crime rates. Neglected or run-down neighborhoods with poorly maintained properties may be more susceptible to criminal activities. In areas with housing affordability challenges, crime can emerge as a prominent issue. Certain individuals and families may find themselves residing in cramped or inadequate housing settings, amplifying stress levels and potentially fostering domestic conflicts and associated criminal incidents. It's worth noting that the median home price in San Marcos stands at $584,600, a contrast to the national average of $184,700.

San Marcos crime map



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

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      Crime Quick Facts

      • San Marcos crime rates are 45% lower than the national average
      • Violent crimes in San Marcos are 41% lower than the national average
      • In San Marcos you have a 1 in 79 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • San Marcos is safer than 54% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in San Marcos has increased by 8%

      San Marcos, CA Crime Quiz

         

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

        The bar chart above reveals the rate of daily crimes in San Marcos for every 100,000 residents. The San Marcos total amount of daily crime is 2.22 times less than the California average and 1.82 times less than than that of the nation. As for violent crimes, the daily average in San Marcos, is 2.30 times less than the California average, and it is 1.70 times less than the national average. The statistics for property crimes show that San Marcos has a daily crime average that is 2.21 times less than the California average and 1.84 times less than the daily national rate.

        How Safe is San Marcos (higher is better)

        How safe is San Marcos, California compared to other cities in California and the rest of the cities across the United States? The graphs above show that San Marcos is safer than 81% of the cities in California and 54% of the cities in the United States. These results are calculated by analyzing all cities in California and across the US as a whole and determining how many areas have a lower crime rate than San Marcos. Overall, San Marcos is ranked above average compared to all other cities across the United States.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in San Marcos

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in San Marcos is 1 in 461
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in San Marcos is 1 in 95
        The chance of being a victim of crime in San Marcos is 1 in 79
        Are you at risk of becoming a victim of crime in San Marcos, California? If you reside in San Marcos, then there is a 1 in 461 chance that you will experience a violent crime. These types of crimes may include homicide, sexual assault, robbery, and physical assault. Your risk of being a victim of property crime is 1 in 95. These types of crime include burglary, petty theft, and theft of motor vehicles. Altogether, there is a 1 in 79 risk that you will become a victim of crime in San Marcos.

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

        An ideal indicator of whether San Marcos is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live can be done by analyzing the year over year crime rates per 100,000 people. Year over year violent crime in San Marcos has increased by 10% and the rate of property crime in San Marcos has increased by 7%. The total crime rate in San Marcos has increased by 8% year to year.

        San Marcos police department

        Item San Marcos California National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)n/a51,506558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residentsn/a3.63.3

        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
        Fairbanks Ranch, CA2,92978368446
        Rancho Santa Fe, CA2,65778368446
        Hidden Meadows, CA3,675164770934
        Bonsall, CA4,194168789958
        Poway, CA49,7801739561,129
        Lake San Marcos, CA3,9572731,2801,553
        Encinitas, CA62,9671821,4961,678
        San Marcos, CA96,2192171,0611,278

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Sandy, UT96,1371921,5011,693
        Flint, MI95,9991,2301,3082,538
        Longmont, CO95,8644432,8223,265
        Riverview, FL95,8493031,8322,135
        Erie, PA96,6166072,2642,872
        San Marcos, CA96,2192171,0611,278
        Source: The San Marcos, 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.