C+
38%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
44%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
53%
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 peoplePalo Alto/100k peopleCalifornia/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime2,079n/a (estimate)3,2022,8432,324
Murder0n/a0.05.76.3
Rape22n/a33.937.440.0
Robbery45n/a69.3123.566.1
Assault67n/a103.2332.8268.2
Violent crime134n/a (estimate)206500370
Burglary147n/a226.4371.9269.8
Theft1,688n/a2,600.01,499.31,401.9
Vehicle theft110n/a169.4471.9282.7
Property crime1,945n/a (estimate)2,9962,3431,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Palo Alto, CA

When we analyze the latest crime report, the Palo Alto crime rate is 37.8% higher 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 Palo Alto, there were 134 reported violent crimes, equivalent to 206 per 100,000 individuals, 44.2% lower than the national average. Additionally, Palo Alto recorded 1945 property crimes, amounting to 2996 per 100,000 residents, 53.3% higher than the U.S. average.

In a remarkable testament to the city's commitment to safety, Palo Alto 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 Locals Say About Crime in Palo Alto?

What is the prevailing sentiment among Palo Alto residents regarding the state of crime? A comprehensive survey conducted by AreaVibes, involving 45 respondents, sheds light on this matter. The results were as follows: 58% of Palo Alto 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, 42% of those surveyed held a contrasting viewpoint, perceiving a higher incidence of crime, leading them to feel apprehensive about walking alone at night.

Is Palo Alto a Safe Place to Live?

To get a feel for the safety of living in Palo Alto, it's essential to analyze both the overall crime rate and the daily incident count. Palo Alto presents a total crime rate that is 38% higher than the national average per 100,000 residents. Consequently, Palo Alto experiences an average of 5.7 daily crimes, comprising 0.37 violent incidents and 5.33 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 Palo Alto Increased Since Last Year?

Examining year-over-year crime data provides insights into short-term trends with regards to the crime activity in Palo Alto. This analysis involves comparing crime rates from one year to the next, enabling the identification of patterns and fluctuations in crime. Such information proves invaluable to residents seeking to make well-informed decisions about their choice of residence. In the most recent year, compared to the previous one, total crime in Palo Alto has increased by 3.3%. Specifically, violent crime has increased by 65.4%, while property crime has increased by 0.7%. This data empowers individuals with a clearer understanding of the evolving safety landscape in Palo Alto.

Palo Alto Neighborhood Crime Rates

Palo Alto is a large urban city with at least 18 distinct neighborhoods. As a result, crime rates will differ dramatically from one neighborhood to the next. Typically, high density neighborhoods that are located close to the city center, experience more crime than neighborhoods on the outskirts of the city. Some of the safest neighborhoods in Palo Alto include: Fair Meadow, Jordan Jr Hgh School and Old Palo Alto. Some neighborhoods that have a higher number of reported crime that you might want to avoid include: Downtown North, Ventura and Green Acres.

Potential Causes for Crime in Palo Alto

High population density areas are often large urban centers with diverse economic opportunities. These areas can exacerbate income inequality, with pockets of poverty existing alongside affluence. Areas with economic disparities may experience higher property crimes and, in some cases, violent crimes. On the other hand, areas with low population density tend to see lower Palo Alto crime rates. The population density in Palo Alto is 2826.2 people per square mile, while the national average is 90.6 people per square mile.

The level of education within a community can impact crime rates. Higher educational attainment often correlates with lower crime rates, as it provides individuals with better job opportunities and alternatives to criminal behavior. While lower educational achievement rates tend to lead to higher crime rates. In Palo Alto, 97.1% of people have completed high school, while 83% of people have completed high school nationally.

In cities grappling with housing affordability challenges, crime can emerge as a prominent issue. Certain individuals and families may find themselves needing to reside in cramped or subpar housing conditions, elevating stress levels and potentially fueling domestic conflicts and associated criminal incidents. Palo Alto has a median home price of $2,000,001, deviating from the national average of $184,700. Large disparities in housing costs can significantly impact the well-being of residents and the prevalence of crime within the community.

Palo Alto crime map



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

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      Crime Quick Facts

      • Palo Alto crime rates are 38% higher than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Palo Alto are 44% lower than the national average
      • In Palo Alto you have a 1 in 32 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Palo Alto is safer than 36% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Palo Alto has increased by 4%

      Palo Alto, CA Crime Quiz

         

        Safest Places to Live in and Around Palo Alto

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        Daily Crime In Palo Alto (per 100,000 people)

        The graph above illustrates the number of daily crimes in Palo Alto, CA per 100,000 people. In Palo Alto, the total number of daily crimes is 1.13 times more than the California average and 1.38 times more than the national average. The number of daily violent crimes in Palo Alto is 2.42 times less than the California average and 1.79 times less than the national average. With regards to property crimes, Palo Alto has a daily crime rate that is 1.28 times more than the California average and 1.53 times more than the national average.

        How Safe is Palo Alto (higher is better)

        Is Palo Alto safe in comparison to other cities in the state of California as well as in comparison to the rest of the areas across the United States. Using the gauges above, which compare crime in Palo Alto to other cities in the state and across the country, Palo Alto is 62% safer than other cities of California and 36% safer than other cities in the nation. Palo Alto has a ranks below average in comparison to other cities in the country.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Palo Alto

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Palo Alto is 1 in 485
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Palo Alto is 1 in 34
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Palo Alto is 1 in 32
        How likely are you to become a victim of crime? In Palo Alto, California you have a 1 in 485 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 34 chance of becoming a victim. Property crimes include burglary, theft and vehicle theft. Overall, you have a 1 in 32 chance of becoming a victim of crime in Palo Alto.

        Year Over Year Crime In Palo Alto (per 100,000 people)

        An analysis of year to year crime rates in Palo Alto, 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 Palo Alto has increased by 66%, the amount of property crime in Palo Alto has increased by 2%, and the total amount of crime in Palo Alto has increased by 4% year over year.

        Palo Alto police department

        Item Palo Alto California National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)13451,506558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents2.03.63.3
        There are a total of 134 Palo Alto police officers. This results in 2.0 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 43.8% less than the California average and 37.6% 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
        Sunol, CA83570329399
        Ladera, CA1,38570329399
        West Menlo Park, CA3,72095446542
        Cambrian Park, CA3,01595446542
        Loyola, CA3,40495446542
        Highlands-Baywood Park, CA4,261130609738
        Emerald Lake Hills, CA4,893130609738
        Palo Alto, CA67,9732062,9963,202

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Redmond, WA67,9591183,1743,292
        Gaithersburg, MD67,8783791,5561,934
        Palatine, IL67,875109790899
        Union City, NJ68,0733351,7392,074
        Yorba Linda, CA68,103539961,050
        Palo Alto, CA67,9732062,9963,202
        Source: The Palo Alto, 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.