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Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI 2024 crime data, Carlsbad, CA has a Safety Score of 49/100 — higher crime than 51% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 1,710.3 per 100,000 residents, ranking #1,514 of 2,971 US cities and #88 of 264 in California.
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Carlsbad, California Safe?
Carlsbad is a coastal city in northern San Diego County, known for LEGOLAND California, which opened in 1999. Its affluent population enjoys a Mediterranean climate and seven miles of picturesque beaches.
Carlsbad has a safety score of 49/100 (Higher Crime Than Average). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 1,710.3 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Carlsbad ranks #88 out of 264 cities in California and #1514 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 49th percentile for safety — with higher crime than 51% of US cities.
Year over year, Carlsbad's total crime rate decreased by 6.2%.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Carlsbad Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 225 | 199.1 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 1 | 0.9 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 7 | 6.2 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 39 | 34.5 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 178 | 157.5 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 1,708 | 1,511.2 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 267 | 236.2 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 1,318 | 1,166.1 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 123 | 108.8 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Carlsbad vs California Average
How does Carlsbad's crime rate compare to the California state average?
| Metric | Carlsbad | California Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 199.1 | 518.0 | -61.6% |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,511.2 | 2,161.3 | -30.1% |
| Murder Rate | 0.9 | 4.4 | -80.0% |
| Total Crime Rate | 1,710.3 | 2,679.3 | -36.2% |
Carlsbad Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Carlsbad, California.
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 113,023 | 1,710.3 | 199.1 | 1,511.2 |
| 2023 | 113,796 | 1,823.4 | 198.6 | 1,624.8 |
| 2022 | 115,531 | 1,987.4 | 209.5 | 1,777.9 |
| 2021 | 116,633 | 1,974.6 | 219.5 | 1,755.1 |
| 2020 | 116,516 | 1,773.2 | 193.1 | 1,580.0 |
| 2019 | 117,220 | 2,026.1 | 204.7 | 1,821.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Carlsbad, California safe?
Carlsbad has a safety score of 49/100, meaning it has less crime than about 49% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 1,710.3 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Carlsbad is higher-crime than most US cities.
What is the crime rate in Carlsbad, California?
According to FBI data for 2024, Carlsbad has a violent crime rate of 199.1 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 1,511.2 per 100,000 residents.
How does Carlsbad compare to the national average?
Carlsbad's total crime rate of 1,710.3 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The data covers 113,023 residents.
What types of crime are most common in Carlsbad?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Carlsbad include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Carlsbad safe to visit?
Like any city, Carlsbad has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 49/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.