Violent
Property
Total
Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI 2024 crime data, Scotts Valley, CA has a Safety Score of 43/100 — higher crime than 57% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 1,904.0 per 100,000 residents, ranking #1,685 of 2,971 US cities and #109 of 264 in California.
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Scotts Valley, California Safe?
Nestled in the Santa Cruz Mountains, Scotts Valley was once home to the innovative Santa's Village theme park. This small city, with a population around 12,000, is characterized by its redwood forests and proximity to the coast.
Scotts Valley has a safety score of 43/100 (Higher Crime Than Average). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 1,904.0 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Scotts Valley ranks #109 out of 264 cities in California and #1685 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 43rd percentile for safety — with higher crime than 57% of US cities.
Year over year, Scotts Valley's total crime rate increased by 41%, with violent crime rising 129.4%.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Scotts Valley Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 36 | 306.0 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 0 | 0.0 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 5 | 42.5 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 4 | 34.0 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 27 | 229.5 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 188 | 1,598.0 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 9 | 76.5 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 175 | 1,487.5 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 4 | 34.0 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Scotts Valley vs California Average
How does Scotts Valley's crime rate compare to the California state average?
| Metric | Scotts Valley | California Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 306.0 | 518.0 | -40.9% |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,598.0 | 2,161.3 | -26.1% |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 4.4 | -100.0% |
| Total Crime Rate | 1,904.0 | 2,679.3 | -28.9% |
Scotts Valley Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Scotts Valley, California.
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 11,765 | 1,904.0 | 306.0 | 1,598.0 |
| 2023 | 11,993 | 1,350.8 | 133.4 | 1,217.4 |
| 2022 | 12,196 | 1,680.9 | 287.0 | 1,393.9 |
| 2021 | 12,038 | 224.3 | 16.6 | 207.7 |
| 2020 | 11,777 | 1,706.7 | 135.9 | 1,570.9 |
| 2019 | 11,875 | 1,296.8 | 109.5 | 1,187.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Scotts Valley, California safe?
Scotts Valley has a safety score of 43/100, meaning it has less crime than about 43% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 1,904.0 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Scotts Valley is higher-crime than most US cities.
What is the crime rate in Scotts Valley, California?
According to FBI data for 2024, Scotts Valley has a violent crime rate of 306.0 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 1,598.0 per 100,000 residents.
How does Scotts Valley compare to the national average?
Scotts Valley's total crime rate of 1,904.0 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The data covers 11,765 residents.
What types of crime are most common in Scotts Valley?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Scotts Valley include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Scotts Valley safe to visit?
Like any city, Scotts Valley has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 43/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.