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Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI 2024 crime data, Chowchilla, CA has a Safety Score of 45/100 — higher crime than 55% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 1,866.3 per 100,000 residents, ranking #1,649 of 2,971 US cities and #103 of 264 in California.
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Chowchilla, California Safe?
Chowchilla, a small city in the San Joaquin Valley, is known for its annual "Fairy Tale Town" parade. This agricultural community, with a population around 19,000, sits equidistant from Fresno and Merced.
Chowchilla has a safety score of 45/100 (Higher Crime Than Average). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 1,866.3 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Chowchilla ranks #103 out of 264 cities in California and #1649 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 45th percentile for safety — with higher crime than 55% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in Chowchilla is aggravated assault, at 589.6 per 100K — 1.8x the national average. Conversely, murder is relatively low at just 0.0x the national rate.
Year over year, Chowchilla's total crime rate increased by 12.2%, with violent crime rising 29.1%.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Chowchilla Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 132 | 676.8 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 0 | 0.0 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 12 | 61.5 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 5 | 25.6 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 115 | 589.6 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 232 | 1,189.5 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 55 | 282.0 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 139 | 712.7 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 38 | 194.8 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Chowchilla vs California Average
How does Chowchilla's crime rate compare to the California state average?
| Metric | Chowchilla | California Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 676.8 | 518.0 | +30.6% |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,189.5 | 2,161.3 | -45.0% |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 4.4 | -100.0% |
| Total Crime Rate | 1,866.3 | 2,679.3 | -30.3% |
Chowchilla Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Chowchilla, California.
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 19,504 | 1,866.3 | 676.8 | 1,189.5 |
| 2023 | 18,700 | 1,663.1 | 524.1 | 1,139.0 |
| 2022 | 19,195 | 1,620.2 | 620.0 | 1,000.3 |
| 2020 | 18,278 | 1,072.3 | 202.4 | 869.9 |
| 2019 | 18,792 | 1,452.8 | 207.5 | 1,245.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chowchilla, California safe?
Chowchilla has a safety score of 45/100, meaning it has less crime than about 45% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 1,866.3 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Chowchilla is higher-crime than most US cities.
What is the crime rate in Chowchilla, California?
According to FBI data for 2024, Chowchilla has a violent crime rate of 676.8 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 1,189.5 per 100,000 residents.
How does Chowchilla compare to the national average?
Chowchilla's total crime rate of 1,866.3 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The data covers 19,504 residents.
What types of crime are most common in Chowchilla?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Chowchilla include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Chowchilla safe to visit?
Like any city, Chowchilla has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 45/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.