Grass Valley, CA Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 75% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Grass Valley Safe?
Yes — Grass Valley is safer than most cities
An above-average city for safety with lower crime than the national average.
Grass Valley has a crime rate that is 39% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 424.
However, safety varies dramatically by neighborhood. Areas like Alta Sierra Estates earn an A+ safety grade, while Alta Sierra Estates rates A+. Understanding which neighborhoods are safe is critical for anyone living in, moving to, or visiting Grass Valley.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 424
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
38% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 71
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
23% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Grass Valley 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
|
67 | -33% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
61 | -39% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
67 | -33% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
59 | -41% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
56 | -44% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
74 | -26% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
70 | -30% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Grass Valley Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Where Is It Safe in Grass Valley?
Safety varies dramatically across Grass Valley's 1+ neighborhoods.
Safest Neighborhoods
Top 1Areas with Higher Crime
Bottom 1Neighborhood Safety Distribution
Out of 1 neighborhoods in Grass Valley
All Grass Valley Neighborhoods
| # | Neighborhood | Grade | Crime Index |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alta Sierra Estates | A+ | 48 |
Grass Valley Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Grass Valley zip codes.
Grass Valley Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Grass Valley, CA?
Grass Valley, CA has a crime safety grade of B+ as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 39% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 424 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 71 chance for property crime. Grass Valley has lower crime than 75% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Grass Valley, CA safe to live in?
Grass Valley is generally considered a safe place to live, earning a crime grade of B+. Approximately 100% of the city's 1 neighborhoods are rated A or B for safety. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. For example, Alta Sierra Estates is one of the safest areas, while Alta Sierra Estates has higher crime rates. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Grass Valley is strongly recommended.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Grass Valley?
Based on 2026 crime data, the safest neighborhoods in Grass Valley are Alta Sierra Estates. These areas have significantly lower crime rates than the city average and are popular choices for families, professionals, and anyone prioritizing safety.
What are the most dangerous areas in Grass Valley?
The neighborhoods with the highest crime rates in Grass Valley include Alta Sierra Estates. These areas experience significantly more crime than the city average. Visitors and prospective residents should exercise extra caution in these neighborhoods, particularly at night.
What is the violent crime rate in Grass Valley?
The estimated violent crime rate in Grass Valley is 235.7 per 100,000 residents, which is 38% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 424 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 3.4 per 100K (33% below average); aggravated assault at 163.0 per 100K (39% below average); robbery at 49.6 per 100K (33% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Grass Valley?
The estimated property crime rate in Grass Valley is 1,415.3 per 100,000 residents, which is 23% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 71 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 151.8 per 100K (44% below average); larceny/theft at 1,041.1 per 100K (26% below average); vehicle theft at 222.4 per 100K (30% below average).
How does Grass Valley crime compare to the national average?
Grass Valley's overall crime rate is 39% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is larceny/theft (26% below average), while burglary is 44% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Grass Valley has lower crime than 75% of them.
Is Grass Valley safe to visit?
Grass Valley is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 23% 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. Popular, safer areas for visitors include Alta Sierra Estates.
How does Grass Valley crime compare to the rest of California?
California as a whole has crime that is 9% above the national average. Grass Valley's crime rate is 39% below the national average, making it safer the typical California city.
What type of crime is most common in Grass Valley?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Grass Valley, with an estimated rate of 1,041.1 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 26% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,415 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (236 per 100K) in Grass Valley, which is consistent with national trends.