Butte County Crime & Safety

Butte County, California

Safety Score

15/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

High Crime

Total Crime Rate

2395.1

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

605.3

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

1789.8

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

15/100

Higher = safer

State avg 20/100

State Safety Rank

#34

of 58 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Butte County, California

Butte County Matches National Crime Trends

Butte County reports 2,395.1 crimes per 100,000 residents, placing it right in line with the national average of 2,385.5. The county earns a safety score of 96.2.

Consistent with California State Averages

The county’s safety score of 96.2 is just 0.1 points shy of the California average of 96.3. Its total crime rate of 2,395.1 is also very close to the state average of 2,355.2.

Butte County vs Northern Neighbors

Butte County’s rate of 2,395.1 is higher than nearby Colusa County, which reports a significantly lower 1,971.5. Ten local agencies provide data that reflects a moderate crime profile for the region.

Property Crime Dominates Local Reports

There are 1,789.8 property crimes per 100,000 residents, compared to 605.3 violent crimes. While violent crime is higher than the national average of 369.8, property crime is actually lower than the national rate of 2,015.7.

Focused Security for Butte Residents

Since property crime is the most common issue, securing packages and locking windows remains a priority. Modern doorbell cameras and smart locks are effective tools for deterring opportunistic theft in local neighborhoods.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Butte County, CA?

Butte County has a total crime rate of 2395.1 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (605.3 per 100K) and property crimes (1789.8 per 100K).

Is Butte County, CA safe?

Butte County has a safety score of 15/100, rated "High Crime". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #34 out of 58 counties in California for safety (1 = safest).

How does Butte County crime compare to the California average?

The county’s safety score of 96.2 is just 0.1 points shy of the California average of 96.3. Its total crime rate of 2,395.1 is also very close to the state average of 2,355.2.

What types of crime are most common in Butte County?

How is crime data measured and reported for Butte County?

Crime data for Butte County comes from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program. Local law enforcement agencies submit data on violent crimes (murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) and property crimes (burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft) to the FBI. Rates are calculated per 100,000 residents to allow fair comparison between counties of different sizes. The safety score (0-100) is derived from these rates, with higher scores indicating safer counties.

What is being done about crime in Butte County?

Butte County has a safety score of 15/100, which is below the California average of 20/100. Many counties with above-average crime rates invest in community policing, crime prevention programs, neighborhood watch initiatives, and social services aimed at reducing crime over time.