How much crime is there in California?

• California has experienced a decline in the property crime rate since it peaked in 1980 and in the violent crime rate since it peaked 1992. Between 1980 and 2020, the state’s overall crime rate declined by about 67 percent. This decline is similar to trends in crime patterns in the rest of the United States.

• In 2020, there were about 1 million crimes reported in California, most of which were property crimes. This represents a crime rate of about 2,600 crimes per 100,000 residents—a 6 percent decline relative to the 2019 rate.

• California’s property crime rate was 9 percent higher than the nationwide rate and its violent crime rate was 11 percent higher than the nationwide rate.

Last Updated: November 2021