Violent
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Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI 2024 crime data, South Lake Tahoe, CA has a Safety Score of 34/100 — higher crime than 66% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 2,266.1 per 100,000 residents, ranking #1,969 of 2,971 US cities and #154 of 264 in California.
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is South Lake Tahoe, California Safe?
South Lake Tahoe, California, is a resort city on the Sierra Nevada's eastern slope, renowned for its casinos and Heavenly Mountain Resort. Its pristine alpine lake attracts millions of visitors annually.
South Lake Tahoe has a safety score of 34/100 (Higher Crime Than Average). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 2,266.1 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
South Lake Tahoe ranks #154 out of 264 cities in California and #1969 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 34th percentile for safety — with higher crime than 66% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in South Lake Tahoe is aggravated assault, at 680.8 per 100K — 2.1x the national average. Conversely, murder is relatively low at just 0.0x the national rate.
Year over year, South Lake Tahoe's total crime rate increased by 10%, with violent crime rising 21.4%.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
South Lake Tahoe Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 169 | 804.6 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 0 | 0.0 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 13 | 61.9 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 9 | 42.9 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 143 | 680.8 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 307 | 1,461.6 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 40 | 190.4 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 244 | 1,161.6 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 23 | 109.5 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
South Lake Tahoe vs California Average
How does South Lake Tahoe's crime rate compare to the California state average?
| Metric | South Lake Tahoe | California Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 804.6 | 518.0 | +55.3% |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,461.6 | 2,161.3 | -32.4% |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 4.4 | -100.0% |
| Total Crime Rate | 2,266.1 | 2,679.3 | -15.4% |
South Lake Tahoe Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for South Lake Tahoe, California.
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 21,005 | 2,266.1 | 804.6 | 1,461.6 |
| 2023 | 21,116 | 2,060.1 | 663.0 | 1,397.0 |
| 2022 | 21,525 | 2,267.1 | 645.8 | 1,621.4 |
| 2020 | 22,286 | 2,414.1 | 498.1 | 1,916.0 |
| 2019 | 22,116 | 2,532.1 | 501.9 | 2,030.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is South Lake Tahoe, California safe?
South Lake Tahoe has a safety score of 34/100, meaning it has less crime than about 34% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 2,266.1 per 100,000 residents in 2024, South Lake Tahoe is higher-crime than most US cities.
What is the crime rate in South Lake Tahoe, California?
According to FBI data for 2024, South Lake Tahoe has a violent crime rate of 804.6 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 1,461.6 per 100,000 residents.
How does South Lake Tahoe compare to the national average?
South Lake Tahoe's total crime rate of 2,266.1 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The data covers 21,005 residents.
What types of crime are most common in South Lake Tahoe?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in South Lake Tahoe include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is South Lake Tahoe safe to visit?
Like any city, South Lake Tahoe has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 34/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.