Scotts Valley, CA Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 92% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Scotts Valley Safe?
Yes — Scotts Valley is safe overall
A safe city with below-average crime, though safety varies by neighborhood.
Scotts Valley has a crime rate that is 49% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 250.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 250
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
5% higher than national average
Property Crime
1 in 60
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
9% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Scotts 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
|
46 | -54% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
95 | -5% | Average | |
|
Robbery
|
139 | +39% | Moderate | |
|
Rape
|
122 | +22% | Moderate | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
147 | +47% | Moderate | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
77 | -23% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
59 | -41% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Scotts Valley Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Scotts Valley Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Scotts Valley zip codes.
Scotts Valley Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Scotts Valley, CA?
Scotts Valley, CA has a crime safety grade of A- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 49% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 250 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 60 chance for property crime. Scotts Valley has lower crime than 92% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Scotts Valley, CA safe to live in?
Scotts Valley is generally considered a safe place to live, earning a crime grade of A-. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Scotts Valley is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Scotts Valley?
The estimated violent crime rate in Scotts Valley is 400.1 per 100,000 residents, which is 5% higher than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 250 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 2.3 per 100K (54% below average); aggravated assault at 253.9 per 100K (5% below average); robbery at 103.1 per 100K (39% above average).
What is the property crime rate in Scotts Valley?
The estimated property crime rate in Scotts Valley is 1,660.7 per 100,000 residents, which is 9% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 60 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 397.0 per 100K (47% above average); larceny/theft at 1,076.1 per 100K (23% below average); vehicle theft at 187.6 per 100K (41% below average).
How does Scotts Valley crime compare to the national average?
Scotts Valley's overall crime rate is 49% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is burglary (47% above average), while murder is 54% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Scotts Valley has lower crime than 92% of them.
Is Scotts Valley safe to visit?
Scotts Valley is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 9% 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 Scotts Valley crime compare to the rest of California?
California as a whole has crime that is 9% above the national average. Scotts Valley's crime rate is 49% below the national average, making it safer the typical California city.
What type of crime is most common in Scotts Valley?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Scotts Valley, with an estimated rate of 1,076.1 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 23% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,661 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (400 per 100K) in Scotts Valley, which is consistent with national trends.