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Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI 2024 crime data, Watsonville, CA has a Safety Score of 53/100 — safer than 53% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 1,581.3 per 100,000 residents, ranking #1,383 of 2,971 US cities and #74 of 264 in California.
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Watsonville, California Safe?
Watsonville, nestled in the Pajaro Valley, is an agricultural hub known for its berries and apples. This predominantly Hispanic city, home to a historic Japanese community, thrives on its rich agricultural heritage.
Watsonville has a safety score of 53/100 (Near National Average). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 1,581.3 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Watsonville ranks #74 out of 264 cities in California and #1383 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 53rd percentile for safety — safer than 53% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in Watsonville is rape, at 55.6 per 100K — 1.3x the national average. Conversely, murder is relatively low at just 0.0x the national rate.
Year over year, Watsonville's total crime rate decreased by 35.4%, with violent crime declining 31.9%.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Watsonville Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 201 | 399.3 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 0 | 0.0 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 28 | 55.6 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 27 | 53.6 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 146 | 290.0 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 595 | 1,182.0 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 70 | 139.1 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 375 | 744.9 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 150 | 298.0 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Watsonville vs California Average
How does Watsonville's crime rate compare to the California state average?
| Metric | Watsonville | California Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 399.3 | 518.0 | -22.9% |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,182.0 | 2,161.3 | -45.3% |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 4.4 | -100.0% |
| Total Crime Rate | 1,581.3 | 2,679.3 | -41.0% |
Watsonville Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Watsonville, California.
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 50,340 | 1,581.3 | 399.3 | 1,182.0 |
| 2022 | 51,517 | 2,447.7 | 586.2 | 1,861.5 |
| 2020 | 54,151 | 2,642.6 | 552.2 | 2,090.5 |
| 2019 | 54,261 | 2,394.0 | 604.5 | 1,789.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Watsonville, California safe?
Watsonville has a safety score of 53/100, meaning it has less crime than about 53% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 1,581.3 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Watsonville is about average for a US city.
What is the crime rate in Watsonville, California?
According to FBI data for 2024, Watsonville has a violent crime rate of 399.3 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 1,182.0 per 100,000 residents.
How does Watsonville compare to the national average?
Watsonville's total crime rate of 1,581.3 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The data covers 50,340 residents.
What types of crime are most common in Watsonville?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Watsonville include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Watsonville safe to visit?
Like any city, Watsonville has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 53/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.