FACT BRIEFIs Nevada’s violent crime rate higher than California?
No.
Nevada doesn’t calculate its crime rates but it does keep track of annual crimes. In 2024, Nevada had 13,097 incidents of violent crime, defined as “offenses which involve force or threat of force,” according to the Nevada State Police Records, Communications and Compliance Division. With a population of 3.2 million in 2024 according to the U.S. Census, Nevada’s violent crime rate for 2024 was 401 per 100,000 people.
The California Department of Justice, which tracks the state’s crime rates, reported a violent crime rate of 480 per 100,000 people in 2024. California defines violent crime as “offenses involving the use of physical force or the threat of force against a person,” according to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
While Nevada has four offenses classified as violent crime — murder and nonnegligent manslaughter, rape, robbery and aggravated assault — California has 23, including “mayhem,” “lewd or lascivious act” and extortion.
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Sources
- Nevada Crime Stats Nevada Crime Stats Report 2024
- California Department of Justice California Department of Justice Crime Stats
- Nevada State Police Records, Communications and Compliance Division Nevada State Police Records Presentation
- California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation California Violent Crimes Definition
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