F
42%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
56%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
40%
Property crime NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: This data reflects the 2024 calendar year and was released from the FBI in September, 2025; this is the most current data available.
StatisticReportedincidents/100k peopleSan Rafael/100k peopleCalifornia/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime1,780n/a (estimate)3,0152,5642,119
Murder1n/a1.74.55.0
Rape30n/a50.836.637.5
Robbery88n/a149.1119.160.6
Assault211n/a357.4325.8256.1
Violent crime330n/a (estimate)559486359
Burglary156n/a264.2305.8229.2
Theft1,045n/a1,770.11,345.21,272.1
Vehicle theft249n/a421.8427.5258.8
Property crime1,450n/a (estimate)2,4562,0781,760

San Rafael crime map

Get this widget

The San Rafael crime map by CrimeoMeter provides a detailed overview of all crimes in San Rafael 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 Rafael crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the San Rafael 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.
Get Crime Data Within A 1-Mile Radius! Local Insights Report
  • View detailed crime data near your address
  • Use local crime insights to avoid risky areas
  • Get hyperlocal crime stats, not city averages
* Crime data not available for every address.
Local Insights Report

An Overview of Crime Rates in San Rafael, CA

Crime is typically categorized into two main types: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes encompass offenses such as murder, rape, robbery, and assault, while property crimes include burglary, theft, and vehicle theft. Based on the most recent report, the San Rafael crime rate is higher than the national average by 42.3%. Specifically, there were 330 violent crimes in San Rafael, equivalent to 559 per 100,000 individuals, higher than the national average by 55.7%. Furthermore, San Rafael recorded 1450 property crimes, amounting to 2456 per 100,000 residents, which was higher than the average by 39.5%.

With a total of 249 vehicle thefts last year, San Rafael has one of the most stolen cars in the country at 422 per 100,000 people. This lands San Rafael in the bottom 10% of all cities that reported crime and the chance of any vehicle being stolen is one in 238.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in San Rafael?

What do the local residents think about crime in San Rafael? Well, based on a recent survey of 37 people (conducted by AreaVibes), 46% of San Rafael residents said that there was virtually no crime and that they felt safe walking at night. Another 54% of respondents said that there was too much crime in the area and they did not feel safe walking alone at night.

Is San Rafael a Safe Place to Live?

Determining whether San Rafael is a place to live may not always yield a simple answer, given the city's varying safety levels across different areas. Nonetheless, comprehending the city's overall crime rate can be a valuable asset. In broad terms, San Rafael has an overall crime rate that is 42% higher than the national average. When we take a look at crime on a daily basis, this translates into 4.88 daily occurrences, comprising 0.9 violent crimes and 3.97 property crimes. Scrutinizing these statistics provides a foundation for a more informed assessment of the suitability of San Rafael as a potential place to establish residency.

Has Crime in San Rafael 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 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 decreased by 16.9% year over year. Violent crime has increased by 44.1% and property crime has decreased by 24.2%.

Potential Causes for Crime in San Rafael

The economic prosperity of a city's inhabitants exerts substantial influence on crime stats. Elevated poverty rates and income inequality can precipitate heightened criminal activity, as individuals may turn to illicit means to fulfill their fundamental requirements. While lower poverty rates could lead to lower San Rafael crime rates. In San Rafael, the poverty rate stands at 11.4%, diverging from the national average of 15.1%.

In areas where employment options are limited or where a significant proportion of jobs offer meager wages, the likelihood of heightened unemployment and homelessness increases. Regions facing challenges related to unemployment or inadequate income may become more vulnerable to a surge in crime stemming from economic instability. While low unemployment rates tend to lead to reduced crime in most areas. San Rafael currently has an unemployment rate of 3.5%, contrasting with the national average of 4.9%. This could be one of many factors that could contribute to a higher or lower crime rate.

The median home price in San Rafael is $1,755,557, compared to the national average of $326,622. High housing costs can lead to financial stress for residents. When individuals struggle to make ends meet due to expensive housing, they may be more inclined to engage in criminal activities to address their financial difficulties, such as theft or fraud. Communities with stable housing environments tend to foster stronger social bonds and community engagement. This can lead to increased vigilance and cooperation among residents, which can deter criminal behavior.

Compare San Rafael, CA Crime

City Image
    City Default Image
      vs

      Crime Quick Facts

      • San Rafael crime rates are 42% higher than the national average
      • Violent crimes in San Rafael are 56% higher than the national average
      • In San Rafael you have a 1 in 34 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • San Rafael is safer than 11% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in San Rafael has decreased by 8%

      San Rafael, CA Crime Quiz

         

        Safest Places to Live in and Around San Rafael

        See all the best places to live around San Rafael
        How would you rate the amount of crime in San Rafael?
        Write a review to give others more information about this area.
        Do you feel safe walking alone at night in San Rafael?
        Write a review to give others more information about this area.
        See all San Rafael poll results

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

        The number of daily crimes per 100,000 residents in San Rafael, California is displayed in the graph above. As you can see, the daily crimes for San Rafael are 1.18 times more than the California average and 1.42 times more than the national level. Daily violent crimes in San Rafael are 1.15 times more than than California and 1.56 times more than the national mean. While daily property crimes in San Rafael are 1.18 times more than than California and 1.40 times more than the national average.

        How Safe is San Rafael (higher is better)

        Are people any safer living in San Rafael in comparison to other California communities and all other areas throughout the United States? When we look at all cities across America, is San Rafael safe? The evidence provided by these graphs show San Rafael being safer than 18% of cities in California and 11% of cities across the United States. This is evident by tracking California cities as well as all US cities over a one year period to contrast crime statistics as they relate to San Rafael. In conclusion, San Rafael ranks below average compared to the rest of the United States.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in San Rafael

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in San Rafael is 1 in 179
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in San Rafael is 1 in 41
        The chance of being a victim of crime in San Rafael is 1 in 34
        Are you curious to know the likelihood of suffering from a crime in San Rafael? If you reside in San Rafael, the likelihood that you will become a victim of a violent crime is 1 in 179. Violent crimes include: murder, sexual assault, robbery, and physical assault. There is a 1 in 41 change that you will become a victim of a property crime. These sorts of crimes against personal property include: burglary, theft, and auto theft. In total, the likelihood of being victimized by a crime in San Rafael, is 1 in 34.

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

        An ideal indicator of whether San Rafael 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 Rafael has increased by 8% and the rate of property crime in San Rafael has decreased by 12%. The total crime rate in San Rafael has decreased by 8% year to year.

        San Rafael police department

        Item San Rafael California National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)7851,506558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents1.33.63.3
        There are a total of 78 San Rafael police officers. This results in 1.3 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 63.3% less than the California average and 59.2% 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
        Black Point-Green Point, CA1,78068292360
        Bolinas, CA1,26568292360
        Woodacre, CA1,50668292360
        Lagunitas-Forest Knolls, CA1,92568292360
        Sleepy Hollow, CA2,44676326402
        Belvedere, CA2,2970444444
        East Richmond Heights, CA3,58693396488
        San Rafael, CA61,4855592,4563,015

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Royal Oak, MI61,485124802926
        Taylorsville, UT61,5032311,4141,645
        Bristol, CT61,512589581,016
        Woodland, CA61,5222751,4191,693
        West Allis, WI61,4322571,9782,234
        San Rafael, CA61,4855592,4563,015
        Source: The San Rafael, CA crime data displayed above is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reports for the year of 2024. 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.