San Carlos, CA Crime Map

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About San Carlos Crime & Safety

Is San Carlos safe to live in?

San Carlos earns an overall crime grade of B+ and a city-wide safety rating of A (Very Safe) — a strong performance for any Bay Area city. What makes that figure especially compelling is the consistency behind it: all 7 analyzed neighborhoods received an A-range grade, meaning 100% of San Carlos neighborhoods qualify as safe or better. Alder Manor leads the pack with an A+, while El Sereno Corte and Beverly Terrace both hold A grades. Even the neighborhoods at the lower end of the local spectrum — Howard Park and East Belmont — still earn A- ratings, placing them well above the national average for community safety.

What is the crime rate in San Carlos, CA?

San Carlos's crime profile reflects its demographics: a poverty rate of just 3.2%, a median household income of $189,739, and an unemployment rate of 4% all correlate strongly with low crime. Across all 7 neighborhoods analyzed, not a single area graded below an A-. The grade distribution breaks down as follows: Grade A+: Alder Manor (1 neighborhood, ~14%); Grade A: El Sereno Corte, Beverly Terrace, Clearfield Park, North San Carlos (4 neighborhoods, ~57%); Grade A-: Howard Park, East Belmont (2 neighborhoods, ~29%). Zero neighborhoods received a B, C, D, or F grade. By comparison, most U.S. cities of similar population size see a meaningful share of neighborhoods fall into the C or D range.

Which neighborhoods in San Carlos have the highest crime?

Even San Carlos's relatively higher-crime neighborhoods are objectively safe. The areas that rank lowest within the city — East Belmont (A-) and Howard Park (A-) — still carry A-range grades. East Belmont is the smallest of the seven neighborhoods at a population of just 574, while Howard Park serves roughly 5,023 residents with a median income of $139,781. North San Carlos (population 5,581, median income $140,776) and Clearfield Park (population 1,824, median income $115,198) also sit slightly lower on the local income scale compared to top-ranked areas, yet both maintain full Grade A ratings. In practical terms, no neighborhood in San Carlos should raise significant safety concerns for prospective residents.

What are the safest neighborhoods in San Carlos?

The five safest neighborhoods in San Carlos, based on 2026 crime data, are:

1. Alder Manor — A+: The only neighborhood in the city to achieve an A+ grade. Home to approximately 2,724 residents with a median household income of $188,019, Alder Manor represents San Carlos at its safest.
2. El Sereno Corte — A: With a population of 6,635 and a median income of $185,035, this is one of the city's most populous and consistently safe neighborhoods.
3. Beverly Terrace — A: The largest neighborhood analyzed at 7,090 residents and a median income of $182,796, Beverly Terrace combines scale with strong safety outcomes.
4. Clearfield Park — A: A smaller enclave of 1,824 residents, Clearfield Park holds a solid A grade despite having the lowest median income ($115,198) among the top five — underscoring that safety in San Carlos is broadly distributed.
5. North San Carlos — A: With 5,581 residents and a median income of $140,776, North San Carlos rounds out the top five with a full A rating.

How does San Carlos compare to other cities in San Mateo County for safety?

San Carlos's B+ overall crime grade and 100% A-range neighborhood distribution position it among the safer communities on the Peninsula. Its population density of 2,115 people per square mile is moderate — dense enough to support walkable neighborhoods and active street life, but not so dense as to strain public safety resources. The city's median home value of $1,766,780 and median rent of $2,423 reflect the premium residents pay for this combination of location, schools, and safety. For families and professionals evaluating San Mateo County neighborhoods, San Carlos's across-the-board A grades offer a rare level of consistency that few comparably sized cities can match.

Is San Carlos a good place to raise a family?

The data points strongly in that direction. San Carlos combines a city-wide safety rating of A (Very Safe) with a poverty rate of only 3.2% and a median household income of $189,739 — figures that rank it among the most economically stable small cities in California. All seven analyzed neighborhoods, from the dense 7,090-resident Beverly Terrace to the small 574-resident East Belmont, carry A-range crime grades. The 4% unemployment rate suggests a financially secure resident base, which research consistently links to lower rates of property and violent crime. For families weighing safety, economic stability, and community cohesion, San Carlos checks every box the data can measure.