Contra Costa County Crime & Safety

Contra Costa County, California

Safety Score

13/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

High Crime

Total Crime Rate

2521.0

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

411.8

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

2109.2

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

13/100

Higher = safer

State avg 20/100

State Safety Rank

#39

of 58 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Contra Costa County, California

Contra Costa Crime Slightly Above National Average

Contra Costa reports a total crime rate of 2,521.0 per 100,000 residents, slightly exceeding the national average of 2,385.5. It maintains a safety score of 96.0.

Aligning Close to California State Norms

The county's safety score of 96.0 is nearly level with the state average of 96.3. However, its total crime rate of 2,521.0 is higher than the California average of 2,355.2.

Stronger Safety Profile than Neighboring Alameda

Contra Costa's crime rate of 2,521.0 is significantly lower than Alameda County's 4,791.5. Data from 25 reporting agencies shows that residents here experience much less crime than their immediate neighbors to the south.

Property Crime is the Main Concern

Property crime accounts for 2,109.2 incidents per 100,000, while violent crime sits at 411.8. The violent crime rate is just slightly above the national average of 369.8, meaning property theft is the more common risk.

Proactive Security for Contra Costa Homes

With property crime as the primary issue, home security systems and camera surveillance are recommended for homeowners. Securing vehicles and common entry points helps maintain the safety of local neighborhoods.

SimpliSafe Home Security

Professional 24/7 monitoring for Contra Costa County. No long-term contracts.

Get Protected →

ADT Security Systems

Trusted home security for Contra Costa County residents since 1874.

Get a Quote →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Contra Costa County, CA?

Contra Costa County has a total crime rate of 2521.0 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (411.8 per 100K) and property crimes (2109.2 per 100K).

Is Contra Costa County, CA safe?

Contra Costa County has a safety score of 13/100, rated "High Crime". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #39 out of 58 counties in California for safety (1 = safest).

How does Contra Costa County crime compare to the California average?

The county's safety score of 96.0 is nearly level with the state average of 96.3. However, its total crime rate of 2,521.0 is higher than the California average of 2,355.2.

What types of crime are most common in Contra Costa County?

How is crime data measured and reported for Contra Costa County?

Crime data for Contra Costa 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 Contra Costa County?

Contra Costa County has a safety score of 13/100, 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.