How much do crime rates vary across California counties?

• Some Counties Have Very Different Crime Rates Than the State as a Whole. Alameda County reported the highest violent, property, and overall crime rates in 2025—they were 50 percent, 81 percent, and 75 percent higher than the statewide rates, respectively. San Benito County had the lowest property and overall crime rate—one-quarter and one-third of the statewide rates respectively. Marin County had the lowest violent crime rate—less than half the statewide rate. (For more information on state and county crime rates, see the Department of Justice Open Justice website.)

• Various Factors Likely Account for Variation Between Counties. Variations among county crime rates are probably explained by factors such as demography (areas with larger populations of young men tend to have higher crime rates), the local economy, law enforcement resources, and degree of urbanization.

Last Updated: July 2026