Cottonwood, CA Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 82% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Cottonwood Safe?
Yes — Cottonwood is safer than most cities
An above-average city for safety with lower crime than the national average.
Cottonwood has a crime rate that is 44% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 402.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 402
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
35% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 122
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
55% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Cottonwood Crime Breakdown
Estimated crime rates based on FBI UCR data, calibrated to city-level crime score.
| Crime Type | Index | vs National | Risk Level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | ||||
|
Murder
|
61 | -39% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
55 | -45% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
86 | -14% | Average | |
|
Rape
|
104 | +4% | Average | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
80 | -20% | Average | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
30 | -70% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
56 | -44% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Cottonwood Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Cottonwood Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Cottonwood zip codes.
Cottonwood Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Cottonwood, CA?
Cottonwood, CA has a crime safety grade of B+ as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 44% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 402 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 122 chance for property crime. Cottonwood has lower crime than 82% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Cottonwood, CA safe to live in?
Cottonwood is generally considered a safe place to live, earning a crime grade of B+. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Cottonwood is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Cottonwood?
The estimated violent crime rate in Cottonwood is 248.9 per 100,000 residents, which is 35% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 402 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 3.0 per 100K (39% below average); aggravated assault at 147.3 per 100K (45% below average); robbery at 63.7 per 100K (14% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Cottonwood?
The estimated property crime rate in Cottonwood is 820.5 per 100,000 residents, which is 55% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 122 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 216.5 per 100K (20% below average); larceny/theft at 426.3 per 100K (70% below average); vehicle theft at 177.7 per 100K (44% below average).
How does Cottonwood crime compare to the national average?
Cottonwood's overall crime rate is 44% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is rape (4% above average), while larceny/theft is 70% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Cottonwood has lower crime than 82% of them.
Is Cottonwood safe to visit?
Cottonwood is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 55% below average, which is typically the main concern for tourists. Avoid leaving valuables in vehicles, stay aware of your surroundings in unfamiliar areas, and stick to well-traveled neighborhoods.
How does Cottonwood crime compare to the rest of California?
California as a whole has crime that is 9% above the national average. Cottonwood's crime rate is 44% below the national average, making it safer the typical California city.
What type of crime is most common in Cottonwood?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Cottonwood, with an estimated rate of 426.3 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 70% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (821 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (249 per 100K) in Cottonwood, which is consistent with national trends.