| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | San Rafael/100k people | California/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 2,145 | n/a (estimate) | 3,552 | 2,843 | 2,324 |
| Murder | 1 | n/a | 1.7 | 5.7 | 6.3 |
| Rape | 49 | n/a | 81.1 | 37.4 | 40.0 |
| Robbery | 78 | n/a | 129.2 | 123.5 | 66.1 |
| Assault | 195 | n/a | 322.9 | 332.8 | 268.2 |
| Violent crime | 323 | n/a (estimate) | 535 | 500 | 370 |
| Burglary | 183 | n/a | 303.0 | 371.9 | 269.8 |
| Theft | 1,085 | n/a | 1,796.8 | 1,499.3 | 1,401.9 |
| Vehicle theft | 554 | n/a | 917.4 | 471.9 | 282.7 |
| Property crime | 1,822 | n/a (estimate) | 3,017 | 2,343 | 1,954 |
The San Rafael crime rates are 52.8% 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 323 violent crimes in San Rafael (535 per 100,000 people), which is 44.6% higher than the national average and there were a total of 1822 property crimes (3017 per 100,000 residents) which is 54.4% higher than average.
The occurrence of vehicle thefts has been increasing nationwide, and San Rafael faces one of the highest vehicle theft rates in the United States. In the latest reported crime year, there were a reported 554 vehicle thefts, translating to 917 stolen vehicles per 100,000 residents. This places San Rafael in the bottom 10% among all cities, signifying that 90% of cities have less stolen vehicles. The likelihood of experiencing a vehicle theft is 1 in 110.
AreaVibes surveyed 37 local residents in San Rafael to gauge the safety of the area. Based on the results, 46% of people answered that there was very little crime in San Rafael and that they felt very comfortable walking alone at night. Another 54% of people responded that there was far too much crime and they would be hesitant to walk the streets alone at night. Keep in mind that the opinions of residents may vary depending on which area they live in.
To get a feel for the safety of living in San Rafael, it's essential to analyze both the overall crime rate and the daily incident count. San Rafael presents a total crime rate that is 53% higher than the national average per 100,000 residents. Consequently, San Rafael experiences an average of 5.88 daily crimes, comprising 0.88 violent incidents and 4.99 property-related offenses. This evaluation offers a comprehensive understanding of the safety landscape, aiding individuals in making informed decisions when considering relocation.
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 Rafael 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 Rafael has increased by 0.2% year over year. Violent crime has increased by 41.1% and property crime has increased by 4.7%.
If employment opportunities are limited or if many jobs offer low wages, it can lead to higher rates of unemployment and underemployment, which could lead to an increase in San Rafael crime rates. Areas where individuals struggle with unemployment or low wages, may be more susceptible to an increase in criminal activities as a result of financial insecurity. While lower rates of unemployment or a surplus of job opportunities could lead to a decrease in crime as their basic needs are being met. San Rafael has an unemployment rate of 3.3%, compared to a national average of 4.7%.
San Rafael has a population density of 3567.7 people per square mile, contrasting with the national average of 90.6 people per square mile. High population density cities are often large urban hubs teeming with diverse economic opportunities. Within these environments, income disparities can become pronounced, leading to higher poverty levels. This economic divide may contribute to an uptick in property crimes and, occasionally, violent crimes. In contrast, areas characterized by low population density typically exhibit lower San Rafael crime rates.
Rising cost of living expenses, including increased housing costs, grocery, utility and healthcare expenditures, can induce financial strain on individuals and families, particularly those with limited financial resources. Such economic stress may propel individuals towards crime, including theft or burglary, as a means of addressing their financial hardships. Conversely, cities characterized by a lower cost of living may alleviate economic pressures, potentially resulting in a reduced crime rate. In San Rafael, the cost of living is 91.77% higher than the national average, reflecting a more affordable economic environment that could contribute to a decrease in crime levels.
| Item | San Rafael | California | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 78 | 51,506 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 1.3 | 3.6 | 3.3 |
| State | Total offenders | California /100K | National /100K |
| California | 79,891 | 232 | 266 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Bolinas, CA | 1,223 | 70 | 329 | 399 |
| Woodacre, CA | 1,464 | 70 | 329 | 399 |
| Black Point-Green Point, CA | 1,738 | 70 | 329 | 399 |
| Sleepy Hollow, CA | 2,366 | 78 | 368 | 446 |
| Lagunitas-Forest Knolls, CA | 1,874 | 91 | 428 | 520 |
| Ross, CA | 2,453 | 0 | 690 | 690 |
| Belvedere, CA | 2,246 | 0 | 718 | 718 |
| San Rafael, CA | 59,178 | 535 | 3,017 | 3,552 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Fountainebleau, FL | 59,174 | 357 | 2,156 | 2,512 |
| St. Clair Shores, MI | 59,184 | 177 | 876 | 1,053 |
| Brookline, MA | 59,223 | 105 | 896 | 1,001 |
| Bartlett, TN | 59,252 | 241 | 1,952 | 2,192 |
| Royal Oak, MI | 59,256 | 128 | 797 | 925 |
| San Rafael, CA | 59,178 | 535 | 3,017 | 3,552 |
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