| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Novato/100k people | California/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 824 | n/a (estimate) | 1,608 | 2,564 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 0 | n/a | 0.0 | 4.5 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 17 | n/a | 33.2 | 36.6 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 24 | n/a | 46.8 | 119.1 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 89 | n/a | 173.6 | 325.8 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 130 | n/a (estimate) | 254 | 486 | 359 |
| Burglary | 40 | n/a | 78.0 | 305.8 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 571 | n/a | 1,114.0 | 1,345.2 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 83 | n/a | 161.9 | 427.5 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 694 | n/a (estimate) | 1,354 | 2,078 | 1,760 |
The Novato crime rates are 24.1% lower 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 130 violent crimes in Novato (254 per 100,000 people), which is 29.4% lower than the national average and there were a total of 694 property crimes (1354 per 100,000 residents) which is 23.1% lower than average.
In a remarkable testament to the city's commitment to safety, Novato reported a murder rate of 0. This could indicate that it is a very safe place to live, but also serves as an inspiration to other urban areas striving for safer communities. Examining the full crime report will provide a complete overview of all crimes - violent and property.
What do the local residents think about crime in Novato? Well, based on a recent survey of 25 people (conducted by AreaVibes), 92% of Novato residents said that there was virtually no crime and that they felt safe walking at night. Another 8% of respondents said that there was too much crime in the area and they did not feel safe walking alone at night.
To determine if Novato is a safe place to live, let's take a look at the overall crime rate of the area, as well as the number of daily crimes. Novato has a total crime rate that is 24% lower than the national average per 100,000 residents. This results in a total of 2.26 daily crimes (0.36 violent daily crimes and 1.9 daily property crimes) in Novato.
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 Novato 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 Novato has decreased by 24.3% year over year. Violent crime has decreased by 45.4% and property crime has decreased by 18.5%.
In Novato, the poverty rate currently stands at 6.4%, 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 Novato crime rates.
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 Novato 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. Novato has an unemployment rate of 2.8%, compared to a national average of 4.9%.
In Novato, 92.2% of residents have successfully graduated from high school, whereas the national average stands at 83%. The educational makeup of any city 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.
Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.
| Item | Novato | California | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 72 | 51,506 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 1.4 | 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 |
| Lagunitas-Forest Knolls, CA | 1,925 | 68 | 292 | 360 |
| Bolinas, CA | 1,265 | 68 | 292 | 360 |
| Black Point-Green Point, CA | 1,780 | 68 | 292 | 360 |
| Woodacre, CA | 1,506 | 68 | 292 | 360 |
| Penngrove, CA | 2,420 | 76 | 326 | 402 |
| Sleepy Hollow, CA | 2,446 | 76 | 326 | 402 |
| Belvedere, CA | 2,297 | 0 | 444 | 444 |
| Novato, CA | 55,468 | 254 | 1,354 | 1,608 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Decatur, AL | 55,434 | 607 | 2,309 | 2,916 |
| Pinellas Park, FL | 55,392 | 234 | 2,206 | 2,440 |
| West Sacramento, CA | 55,617 | 294 | 1,369 | 1,663 |
| Kingsport, TN | 55,254 | 441 | 2,960 | 3,401 |
| Leesburg, VA | 55,694 | 256 | 1,574 | 1,830 |
| Novato, CA | 55,468 | 254 | 1,354 | 1,608 |
Here are the best places to live in California
Safest States In The US
Check out the 10 safest cities in California
These are the largest cities in California