San Francisco County Crime & Safety

San Francisco County, California

Safety Score

1/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

High Crime

Total Crime Rate

6371.8

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

641.0

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

5730.8

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

1/100

Higher = safer

State avg 20/100

State Safety Rank

#58

of 58 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in San Francisco County, California

San Francisco’s Urban Safety Profile

San Francisco County holds a safety score of 89.9, reflecting significant urban challenges. Its total crime rate of 6,371.8 per 100,000 is nearly triple the national average of 2,385.5. These high numbers are largely driven by property-related incidents in the dense city center.

San Francisco vs. California Averages

San Francisco’s safety score of 89.9 is well below the California average of 96.3. The total crime rate of 6,371.8 per 100,000 vastly exceeds the state average of 2,355.2. Data from 8 reporting agencies indicates that the city experiences crime at a much higher frequency than the rest of the state.

A Bay Area Outlier

Compared to other California counties, San Francisco's crime rate of 6,371.8 is significantly higher than Sacramento's 2,966.7. Even San Joaquin County, which sees its own challenges, has a much lower rate at 2,695.6. The unique density of San Francisco creates a crime profile unlike any of its neighbors.

The Property Crime Surge

Property crime in San Francisco is a staggering 5,730.8 per 100,000, which is over 180% higher than the national average. Violent crime is also elevated at 641.0, compared to the national average of 369.8. This means theft and burglary are extremely frequent occurrences for those living and working in the city.

Safeguarding Your Urban Home

High property crime rates necessitate robust home security for all San Francisco residents. Use high-quality deadbolts, security films for windows, and monitored alarm systems to protect your property. Awareness of local surroundings is essential given the high volume of reported incidents.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in San Francisco County, CA?

San Francisco County has a total crime rate of 6371.8 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (641.0 per 100K) and property crimes (5730.8 per 100K).

Is San Francisco County, CA safe?

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

How does San Francisco County crime compare to the California average?

What types of crime are most common in San Francisco County?

How is crime data measured and reported for San Francisco County?

Crime data for San Francisco 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 San Francisco County?

San Francisco County has a safety score of 1/100, 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.