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Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI 2024 crime data, Novato, CA has a Safety Score of 52/100 — safer than 52% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 1,607.6 per 100,000 residents, ranking #1,415 of 2,971 US cities and #77 of 264 in California.
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Novato, California Safe?
Novato, a Marin County city, was once home to Hamilton Air Force Base. Today, its diverse population of over 50,000 resides in a landscape dotted with wetlands and rolling hills.
Novato has a safety score of 52/100 (Near National Average). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 1,607.6 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Novato ranks #77 out of 264 cities in California and #1415 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 52nd percentile for safety — safer than 52% of US cities.
All major crime categories in Novato are below the national average, with murder particularly low at 0.0x the national rate.
Year over year, Novato's total crime rate increased by 5.3%, with violent crime rising 61.4%.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Novato Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 130 | 253.6 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 0 | 0.0 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 17 | 33.2 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 24 | 46.8 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 89 | 173.6 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 694 | 1,353.9 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 40 | 78.0 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 571 | 1,114.0 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 83 | 161.9 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Novato vs California Average
How does Novato's crime rate compare to the California state average?
| Metric | Novato | California Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 253.6 | 518.0 | -51.0% |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,353.9 | 2,161.3 | -37.4% |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 4.4 | -100.0% |
| Total Crime Rate | 1,607.6 | 2,679.3 | -40.0% |
Novato Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Novato, California.
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 55,926 | 1,947.2 | 425.6 | 1,521.7 |
| 2019 | 56,134 | 1,849.2 | 263.7 | 1,585.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Novato, California safe?
Novato has a safety score of 52/100, meaning it has less crime than about 52% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 1,607.6 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Novato is about average for a US city.
What is the crime rate in Novato, California?
According to FBI data for 2024, Novato has a violent crime rate of 253.6 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 1,353.9 per 100,000 residents.
How does Novato compare to the national average?
Novato's total crime rate of 1,607.6 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The data covers 51,258 residents.
What types of crime are most common in Novato?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Novato include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Novato safe to visit?
Like any city, Novato has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 52/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.