Violent
Property
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Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI crime data, Scotts Valley, CA has a Safety Score of 44/100 — higher crime than 56% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 1,904.0 per 100,000 residents, ranking #1,668 of 2,957 US cities and #109 of 264 in California.
Quiz: which of these is SAFER than Scotts Valley, CA?
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 44/100 (Higher Crime Than Average). Based on FBI data, the city reported a total crime rate of 1,904.0 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,785.9 per 100,000.
Scotts Valley ranks #109 out of 264 cities in California and #1668 out of 2957 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 44th percentile for safety — with higher crime than 56% 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
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 36 | 306.0 | 478.2 |
| Murder | 0 | 0.0 | 6.3 |
| Rape | 5 | 42.5 | 43.8 |
| Robbery | 4 | 34.0 | 94.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 27 | 229.5 | 333.5 |
| Property Crime | 188 | 1,598.0 | 2,307.7 |
| Burglary | 9 | 76.5 | 292.0 |
| Larceny-Theft | 175 | 1,487.5 | 1,657.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 4 | 34.0 | 358.0 |
| 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 |
| 2020 | 11,777 | 1,706.7 | 135.9 | 1,570.9 |
| 2019 | 11,875 | 1,296.8 | 109.5 | 1,187.4 |
Scotts Valley Crime Map — Surrounding Area
City-level crime rates from FBI data for Scotts Valley and nearby cities — green is safer, red is higher-crime; circle size is population. Not an incident-level map. Full state view: California crime map.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Scotts Valley, California safe?
Scotts Valley has a safety score of 44/100, meaning it has less crime than about 44% 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 are larceny-theft (175 reported incidents) and aggravated assault (27 reported incidents). Property crime outnumbers violent crime 5.2x in the city.
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 44/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.