California recorded its second-lowest homicide rate since at least 1966 in 2024, as nearly every major crime category declined across the state, according to new data released by the California Department of Justice.
The statewide homicide rate dropped 10.4% from 2023, falling to 4.3 per 100,000 residents. Overall homicides decreased by nearly 12%, continuing a downward trend that officials attribute to significant public safety investments.
"In the wake of a nationwide spike in crime during the pandemic, California made the choice to invest — not abandon — our communities," said Gov. Gavin Newsom. "While Republicans in Congress push a bill that would gut law enforcement funding and the President focuses on arresting farmworkers, California is showing what real public safety looks like: serious investments, strong enforcement, and real results."
The comprehensive crime statistics show violent crime rates decreased 6% from 511 per 100,000 residents in 2023 to 480.3 in 2024, remaining well below California's historical high of 1,103.9 recorded in 1992. Property crime rates fell 8.4% from 2,272.7 to 2,082.7 per 100,000 residents.
Motor vehicle theft showed the steepest decline at 15.2%, while burglary rates dropped 9.1% and robbery decreased 6.3%. Aggravated assault rates fell 6.5% compared to the previous year.
Since 2019, property crime has decreased 9.1% statewide, with burglary showing the largest five-year decline at 18.8%. Robbery rates have fallen 9.6% and arson decreased 8.7% over the same period.
California has invested $1.6 billion since 2019 to combat crime, hire additional police officers and improve public safety. The state distributed $267 million to 55 communities last year specifically to combat organized retail crime, enabling local agencies to make more arrests and secure additional felony charges.
"Transparency is key for understanding, preventing, and combating crime in our communities," said Attorney General Rob Bonta. "While crime rates have declined over the past year, public safety in our communities remains priorities one, two, and three."
The total number of full-time criminal justice personnel, including law enforcement officers, prosecutors, investigators, public defenders and probation officers, increased 1.9% from 2023 to 2024.
However, local jurisdictions showed mixed results. In Santa Monica, serious Part I crimes decreased 2% to 4,840 incidents, but Part II crimes including weapons violations and narcotics offenses increased 16% to 4,080 cases.
The city recorded a significant 25% increase in total calls for service to 128,820 in 2024.
While most violent crimes declined statewide, Santa Monica recorded six murders in 2024 compared to one in 2023. Auto thefts fell 16% citywide, but burglaries increased 14%, driven primarily by a 17% rise in residential break-ins.
Larceny remained the most reported crime category at 2,927 incidents, staying stable year-over-year. Arson incidents decreased 21% from 80 cases in 2023 to 63 in 2024.
The state's gun violence data revealed that firearms remained the most common weapon in homicides, accounting for 69.9% of cases where the weapon was identified. Of all crime-linked guns recovered in 2024, 65% were not associated with California sales, indicating they likely originated from states with weaker gun safety laws.
Santa Monica has seen its own share of gun crimes recently including a man shot outside the Fairmont hotel, a store owner forced to shoot a suspect robbing his store and a homeless man shooting three people over the course of several days in Downtown Santa Monica.
California's crime rates have historically remained lower than many other states. According to 2022 CDC data, Alabama's homicide rate was 152% higher than California's, while Oklahoma's was 41% higher and Arkansas' was 100% higher.
The California Highway Patrol's regional initiative targeting high-crime areas has resulted in more than 7,300 arrests, recovery of over 5,000 stolen vehicles and confiscation of more than 350 firearms across Bakersfield, San Bernardino and Oakland since its inception.
