Violent
Property
Total
Novato, CA Crime Rate & Safety
FBI-verified crime statistics for 2024 | Population: 51,258
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Novato, California Safe?
Novato has a safety score of 70/100 (Safer Than 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 decreased by 19.4%, with violent crime declining 20%.
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 | Population | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 51,258 | 1,607.6 | 253.6 | 1,353.9 |
| 2023 | 51,733 | 1,994.9 | 317.0 | 1,677.9 |
| 2022 | 52,412 | 1,991.9 | 301.5 | 1,690.5 |
| 2021 | 53,493 | 157.0 | 13.1 | 143.9 |
| 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 70/100. With a total crime rate of 1,607.6 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Novato is relatively safe compared to the national average.
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 city has a population of 51,258.
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 70/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.