F
48%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
70%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
44%
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 peopleArcata/100k peopleCalifornia/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime657n/a (estimate)3,4322,8432,324
Murder2n/a10.45.76.3
Rape5n/a26.137.440.0
Robbery24n/a125.4123.566.1
Assault89n/a464.9332.8268.2
Violent crime120n/a (estimate)627500370
Burglary58n/a303.0371.9269.8
Theft351n/a1,833.51,499.31,401.9
Vehicle theft128n/a668.6471.9282.7
Property crime537n/a (estimate)2,8052,3431,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Arcata, CA

Crime can be categorized into two primary types: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes encompass offenses such as murder, rape, robbery, and assault, whereas property crimes involve acts like burglary, theft, and vehicle theft. The overall crime rate in Arcata is 47.7% higher than the national average. Specifically, there were 120 violent crimes reported in Arcata, equivalent to 627 per 100,000 residents, which is higher than the national average by 69.5%. Additionally, Arcata recorded 537 property crimes, amounting to 2805 per 100,000 people, higher than the national average by 43.5%.

While murder rates in the United States have generally declined since 1990, recent years have seen an unfortunate uptick. Arcata stands out with one of the nation's highest murder rates among cities reporting crime data. In Arcata, a total of 2 murders were reported, equating to 10 murders per 100,000 residents. This statistic underscores the challenges facing the area in terms of severe violent crime and the importance of ongoing efforts to enhance safety and security within the community.

Recently, vehicle thefts have seen an upward trend across the United States, and Arcata ranks among the cities with the highest vehicle theft rates in the country. Last year, there were 128 vehicle thefts, amounting to 669 stolen vehicles per 100,000 residents. This places Arcata within the worst 10% of all cities, indicating that 90% of cities fare better in terms of vehicle theft rates. The likelihood of your vehicle being stolen stands at 1 in 150.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Arcata?

What is the prevailing sentiment among Arcata residents regarding the state of crime? A comprehensive survey conducted by AreaVibes, involving 38 respondents, sheds light on this matter. The results were as follows: 21% of Arcata 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, 79% of those surveyed held a contrasting viewpoint, perceiving a higher incidence of crime, leading them to feel apprehensive about walking alone at night.

Is Arcata a Safe Place to Live?

Is Arcata a safe place to live? While the answer may not be straightforward due to variations in safety levels across the city, gaining an understanding of the overall crime rate can prove to be advantageous. In general, Arcata has a crime rate that is higher than the national average by 48%. Breaking this down on a daily basis, it translates to 1.8 daily incidents, encompassing 0.33 violent crimes and 1.47 property crimes. Evaluating these statistics can aid in forming a more informed perspective on the safety of Arcata as a potential place to call home.

Has Crime in Arcata Increased Since Last Year?

In the most recent crime report, year-over-year crime rates in Arcata has decreased by 7.2%. Examining the change in crime rates from one year to the next provides valuable insights into the evolving safety landscape of Arcata, aiding residents in assessing whether it is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live. These crime rates are categorized into two primary groups: violent and property crimes. Year-over-year, violent crime has increased by 55.8%, while property crime has decreased by 14.9%. This comprehensive analysis offers potential residents essential information for making informed decisions about whether or not Arcata is a safe place to live.

Potential Causes for Crime in Arcata

Arcata has a poverty rate of 34.5, 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.

Limited employment opportunities or a prevalence of low-wage jobs can result in higher rates of unemployment and underemployment. Regions where individuals grapple with joblessness or meager wages may exhibit greater vulnerability to an uptick in crime due to financial instability. While areas that have strong employment rates, often will see a reduction in overall crime. Arcata, for instance, reports an unemployment rate of 9.7%, which differs from the national average of 4.7%.

In Arcata, 91% of residents have graduated from high school, whereas the national average stands at 83%. The educational makeup of a community can exert a significant influence on crime rates. Typically, higher levels of educational attainment are associated with reduced crime rates, as they furnish individuals with improved employment prospects and viable alternatives to engaging in criminal activities. Conversely, communities characterized by lower educational achievement often grapple with higher crime rates, as limited opportunities may drive individuals towards criminal behavior.

Arcata crime map



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

  • Arcata crime rates are 48% higher than the national average
  • Violent crimes in Arcata are 70% higher than the national average
  • In Arcata you have a 1 in 30 chance of becoming a victim of crime
  • Arcata is safer than 11% of the cities in the United States
  • Year over year crime in Arcata has decreased by 10%

Arcata, CA Crime Quiz

     

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        Daily Crime In Arcata (per 100,000 people)

        The chart above shows the number of daily crimes in Arcata, CA per 100,000 people. In Arcata, the number of daily crimes is projected to be 1.21 times more than the California average and 1.48 times more than the national average. The average number of daily violent crimes in Arcata is 1.25 times more than the California average and 1.70 times more than the daily national average. With regards to property crimes, Arcata has a daily crime rate that is 1.20 times more than the California average and 1.44 times more than the overall daily national average.

        How Safe is Arcata (higher is better)

        Compared to the other cities in California and all other cities across the US, is Arcata safe? From the gauges displayed above, you will notice that Arcata is safer than 17% of other cities in the state of California. In addition, Arcata is safer than 11% of cities in the entire United States. To achieve these results, all California and United States cities were analyzed to determine how many locations had a lower crime rate than Arcata. By studying this data, it was possible to determine that Arcata is below average in safety when compared with other United States cities.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Arcata

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Arcata is 1 in 160
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Arcata is 1 in 36
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Arcata is 1 in 30
        Wondering what the chances are that you fall victim to a crime in Arcata? In Arcata, CA you have a 1 in 160 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime. Violent crimes include murder, rape, robbery and assault. With regards to property crime, you have a 1 in 36 chance of becoming a victim. Property crimes include burglary, theft and motor vehicle theft. Overall, you have a 1 in 30 chance of becoming a victim of crime in Arcata.

        Year Over Year Crime In Arcata (per 100,000 people)

        The year over year change in crime per 100,000 people helps to understand whether crime in Arcata, CA is on the rise or declining. The violent crime rate in Arcata has increased by 51%, while the property crime rate in Arcata has decreased by 18% year over year. Summing up the numbers, Arcata has decreased by 10% with regards to total crimes year over year.

        Arcata police department

        Item Arcata California National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)3651,506558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents2.13.63.3
        There are a total of 36 Arcata police officers. This results in 2.1 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 42.7% less than the California average and 36.4% 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
        Bayview CDP (Contra Costa County), CA1,7531949101,105
        Cutten, CA3,3152271,0611,288
        Blue Lake, CA9342271,0661,293
        Bayview, CA2,7872811,3151,596
        Pine Hills, CA3,5472851,3351,620
        Humboldt Hill, CA3,4353171,4871,805
        Trinidad, CA3483851,8032,187
        Arcata, CA18,2666272,8053,432

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Hyattsville, MD18,2674631,9042,367
        Bensenville, IL18,2732971,7422,040
        San Carlos Park, FL18,2563251,9652,289
        Menasha, WI18,2801391,0411,180
        North Massapequa, NY18,2392861,1491,435
        Arcata, CA18,2666272,8053,432
        Source: The Arcata, 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.