Violent
Property
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Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI 2024 crime data, Arcata, CA has a Safety Score of 34/100 — higher crime than 66% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 2,271.4 per 100,000 residents, ranking #1,972 of 2,971 US cities and #155 of 264 in California.
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Arcata, California Safe?
Arcata, California, a Humboldt Bay city and home to Cal Poly Humboldt, is known for its redwood forests and counter-culture heritage. Its population of around 19,000 residents enjoys a temperate climate and a strong sense of community.
Arcata has a safety score of 34/100 (Higher Crime Than Average). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 2,271.4 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Arcata ranks #155 out of 264 cities in California and #1972 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 34th percentile for safety — with higher crime than 66% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in Arcata is rape, at 73.3 per 100K — 1.7x the national average. Conversely, murder is relatively low at just 0.0x the national rate.
Year over year, Arcata's total crime rate decreased by 10.2%, with violent crime declining 14.8%.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Arcata Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 97 | 507.7 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 0 | 0.0 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 14 | 73.3 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 23 | 120.4 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 60 | 314.0 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 337 | 1,763.8 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 37 | 193.7 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 272 | 1,423.6 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 28 | 146.5 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Arcata vs California Average
How does Arcata's crime rate compare to the California state average?
| Metric | Arcata | California Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 507.7 | 518.0 | -2.0% |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,763.8 | 2,161.3 | -18.4% |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 4.4 | -100.0% |
| Total Crime Rate | 2,271.4 | 2,679.3 | -15.2% |
Arcata Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Arcata, California.
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 19,107 | 2,271.4 | 507.7 | 1,763.8 |
| 2023 | 18,464 | 2,529.3 | 595.8 | 1,933.5 |
| 2022 | 19,144 | 3,437.1 | 626.8 | 2,810.3 |
| 2020 | 18,516 | 3,823.7 | 415.9 | 3,407.9 |
| 2019 | 18,332 | 3,693.0 | 392.8 | 3,300.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Arcata, California safe?
Arcata has a safety score of 34/100, meaning it has less crime than about 34% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 2,271.4 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Arcata is higher-crime than most US cities.
What is the crime rate in Arcata, California?
According to FBI data for 2024, Arcata has a violent crime rate of 507.7 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 1,763.8 per 100,000 residents.
How does Arcata compare to the national average?
Arcata's total crime rate of 2,271.4 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The data covers 19,107 residents.
What types of crime are most common in Arcata?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Arcata include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Arcata safe to visit?
Like any city, Arcata has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 34/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.