San Mateo County Crime & Safety

San Mateo County, California

Safety Score

15/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

High Crime

Total Crime Rate

2383.4

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

303.7

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

2079.7

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

15/100

Higher = safer

State avg 20/100

State Safety Rank

#33

of 58 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in San Mateo County, California

San Mateo Mirrors the National Average

San Mateo County reports a total crime rate of 2,383.4 per 100K, virtually identical to the national average of 2,385.5. This earns the county a high safety score of 96.2, indicating a secure environment for its residents.

Consistency Across the Golden State

The county's safety score of 96.2 is nearly identical to the California state average of 96.3. This stability reflects a well-managed public safety profile compared to other high-population coastal counties.

Bay Area Safety Comparison

San Mateo maintains a more favorable safety profile than the neighboring urban core of San Francisco. While its property crime rate is 2,079.7, it remains a competitive and generally safer alternative to its more densely populated neighbors.

Understanding Local Crime Trends

Property crimes dominate the local data, occurring at a rate of 2,079.7 per 100K residents. However, the violent crime rate of 303.7 sits well below the national average of 369.8, suggesting physical safety is a strong suit.

Focusing on Property Security

Since property crime accounts for the vast majority of local incidents, residents should prioritize home alarm systems and smart locks. Visible deterrents like security cameras help keep these numbers trending downward.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

San Mateo County has a total crime rate of 2383.4 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (303.7 per 100K) and property crimes (2079.7 per 100K).

Is San Mateo County, CA safe?

San Mateo 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 #33 out of 58 counties in California for safety (1 = safest).

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

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

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

Crime data for San Mateo 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 Mateo County?

San Mateo 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.