Monterey County Crime & Safety

Monterey County, California

Safety Score

25/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

High Crime

Total Crime Rate

1869.3

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

421.2

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

1448.1

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

25/100

Higher = safer

State avg 20/100

State Safety Rank

#15

of 58 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Monterey County, California

Monterey County Boasts Strong Safety Ratings

Monterey County maintains a high safety score of 97.0, faring better than many regions across the country. The total crime rate of 1,869.3 per 100k is well below the national mark of 2,385.5.

Outperforming California State Safety Averages

The county's safety score of 97.0 sits above the California state average of 96.3. Its total crime rate of 1,869.3 is also significantly lower than the statewide average of 2,355.2.

A Stable Profile on the Coast

Monterey shows a more favorable safety profile than many high-density California counties. Its property crime rate of 1,448.1 is disciplined, reflecting effective local law enforcement across 17 agencies.

Property Safety Offsets Violent Crime Rates

Violent crime in Monterey is 421.2 per 100k, which is slightly higher than the national average of 369.8. However, the property crime rate is low at 1,448.1, keeping the overall community risk manageable.

Vigilance for Coastal Homeowners

Even with strong safety scores, visible security measures like doorbell cameras discourage package theft. Residents should continue to focus on securing entry points to maintain these high safety standards.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Monterey County, CA?

Monterey County has a total crime rate of 1869.3 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (421.2 per 100K) and property crimes (1448.1 per 100K).

Is Monterey County, CA safe?

Monterey County has a safety score of 25/100, rated "High Crime". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #15 out of 58 counties in California for safety (1 = safest).

How does Monterey County crime compare to the California average?

The county's safety score of 97.0 sits above the California state average of 96.3. Its total crime rate of 1,869.3 is also significantly lower than the statewide average of 2,355.2.

What types of crime are most common in Monterey County?

How is crime data measured and reported for Monterey County?

Crime data for Monterey 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.

Why is Monterey County safer than the California average?

Monterey County has a safety score of 25/100, which is above the California average of 20/100. Factors such as local law enforcement effectiveness, community programs, socioeconomic conditions, and population density all contribute to lower crime rates in certain counties.