Violent
Property
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Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI 2024 crime data, Redwood City, CA has a Safety Score of 38/100 — higher crime than 62% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 2,092.2 per 100,000 residents, ranking #1,852 of 2,971 US cities and #131 of 264 in California.
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Redwood City, California Safe?
Redwood City, the county seat of San Mateo County, was once a major lumber port. It sits on the San Francisco Peninsula, with a diverse population and a significant Latin American community.
Redwood City has a safety score of 38/100 (Higher Crime Than Average). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 2,092.2 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Redwood City ranks #131 out of 264 cities in California and #1852 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 38th percentile for safety — with higher crime than 62% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in Redwood City is robbery, at 137.4 per 100K — 1.5x the national average. Conversely, murder is relatively low at just 0.4x the national rate.
Year over year, Redwood City's total crime rate decreased by 22.4%, with violent crime declining 3.7%.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Redwood City Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 378 | 472.2 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 2 | 2.5 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 43 | 53.7 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 110 | 137.4 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 223 | 278.5 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 1,297 | 1,620.0 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 95 | 118.7 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 998 | 1,246.6 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 204 | 254.8 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Redwood City vs California Average
How does Redwood City's crime rate compare to the California state average?
| Metric | Redwood City | California Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 472.2 | 518.0 | -8.9% |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,620.0 | 2,161.3 | -25.0% |
| Murder Rate | 2.5 | 4.4 | -43.2% |
| Total Crime Rate | 2,092.2 | 2,679.3 | -21.9% |
Redwood City Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Redwood City, California.
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 80,060 | 2,092.2 | 472.2 | 1,620.0 |
| 2023 | 78,765 | 2,695.4 | 490.1 | 2,205.3 |
| 2022 | 79,182 | 2,393.2 | 396.6 | 1,996.7 |
| 2020 | 86,983 | 1,926.8 | 215.0 | 1,711.8 |
| 2019 | 87,427 | 1,753.5 | 217.3 | 1,536.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Redwood City, California safe?
Redwood City has a safety score of 38/100, meaning it has less crime than about 38% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 2,092.2 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Redwood City is higher-crime than most US cities.
What is the crime rate in Redwood City, California?
According to FBI data for 2024, Redwood City has a violent crime rate of 472.2 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 1,620.0 per 100,000 residents.
How does Redwood City compare to the national average?
Redwood City's total crime rate of 2,092.2 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The data covers 80,060 residents.
What types of crime are most common in Redwood City?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Redwood City include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Redwood City safe to visit?
Like any city, Redwood City has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 38/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.