Violent
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Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI 2024 crime data, Morro Bay, CA has a Safety Score of 71/100 — safer than 71% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 1,091.9 per 100,000 residents, ranking #877 of 2,971 US cities and #27 of 264 in California.
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Morro Bay, California Safe?
Morro Bay, a small coastal city in San Luis Obispo County, is famous for Morro Rock, a volcanic plug that's part of the Nine Sisters. Its harbor supports a fishing fleet and draws tourists to its waterfront.
Morro Bay has a safety score of 71/100 (Safer Than Average). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 1,091.9 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Morro Bay ranks #27 out of 264 cities in California and #877 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 71st percentile for safety — safer than 71% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in Morro Bay is rape, at 66.5 per 100K — 1.5x the national average. Conversely, murder is relatively low at just 0.0x the national rate.
Year over year, Morro Bay's total crime rate decreased by 9.7%, with violent crime rising 8.1%.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Morro Bay Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 32 | 303.8 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 0 | 0.0 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 7 | 66.5 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 2 | 19.0 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 22 | 208.9 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 83 | 788.1 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 4 | 38.0 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 74 | 702.6 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 5 | 47.5 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Morro Bay vs California Average
How does Morro Bay's crime rate compare to the California state average?
| Metric | Morro Bay | California Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 303.8 | 518.0 | -41.3% |
| Property Crime Rate | 788.1 | 2,161.3 | -63.5% |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 4.4 | -100.0% |
| Total Crime Rate | 1,091.9 | 2,679.3 | -59.2% |
Morro Bay Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Morro Bay, California.
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 10,532 | 1,091.9 | 303.8 | 788.1 |
| 2023 | 10,669 | 1,209.1 | 281.2 | 927.9 |
| 2022 | 10,807 | 1,896.9 | 508.9 | 1,388.0 |
| 2020 | 10,577 | 1,938.2 | 434.9 | 1,503.3 |
| 2019 | 10,624 | 1,393.1 | 197.7 | 1,195.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Morro Bay, California safe?
Morro Bay has a safety score of 71/100, meaning it has less crime than about 71% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 1,091.9 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Morro Bay is relatively safe.
What is the crime rate in Morro Bay, California?
According to FBI data for 2024, Morro Bay has a violent crime rate of 303.8 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 788.1 per 100,000 residents.
How does Morro Bay compare to the national average?
Morro Bay's total crime rate of 1,091.9 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The data covers 10,532 residents.
What types of crime are most common in Morro Bay?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Morro Bay include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Morro Bay safe to visit?
Like any city, Morro Bay has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 71/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.