California’s iconic cities like Hollywood and Lombard Street have always fascinated us. However, it’s important to acknowledge that some cities in the Golden State struggle with high levels of violence. Here is a list of the eight cities in California with the highest crime rates in 2023.
5 Most Dangerous Cities in California
- Emeryville
- Oakland
- Bakersfield
- Stockton
- San Bernardino
1. Emeryville
Emeryville, located in California, holds the dubious distinction of being the most dangerous city in the state. It has a high rate of violent crime, with 6,284 incidents per 100,000 residents.
Despite its relatively small population of 12,905, Emeryville experiences a significant amount of criminal activity, particularly in the form of property theft and vehicle theft. In 2022 alone, there were approximately 12,500 reported cases of theft and nearly 800 incidents of violent crime.
Given Emeryville’s limited population, each individual faces a considerable risk, with approximately a 1 in 15 chance of falling victim to a violent crime. This places Emeryville among the most violent cities in the entire United States.
2. Oakland
Oakland, located in Alameda County, California, is known for having some of the highest crime rates in the state. Despite being a major commercial center in the East Bay Area, the city has struggled with crime. With a population of 440,646, it ranks as the third-largest city in the Bay Area and the eighth-largest city in California.
Although Oakland has seen a decrease in crime rates since the 1990s, it still surpasses the national average. In 2021, the violent crime rate stood at 1,453 incidents per 100,000 residents.
The city faces various types of crime, with vehicle theft, property theft, burglary, and assault being the most commonly reported offenses. Of particular concern is the prevalence of gun violence, which remains a significant issue in many neighborhoods. Much of the gun violence in Oakland can be attributed to gang-related activities.
3. Bakersfield
Bakersfield, located near California’s San Joaquin Valley, is recognized as one of the most perilous cities in California. With a population of approximately 405,000, it surpasses the national average crime rate by 94%. This reputation highlights Bakersfield as a city with significant safety concerns.
In 2021, Bakersfield experienced more than 15,000 instances of property crime. However, there is some positive news. According to local news agency Bakersfield Now, the city witnessed a 30% reduction in homicides in 2022 compared to 2020. Nevertheless, the prevalence of violence in Bakersfield can largely be attributed to the persistent issue of gang activity, which has been a growing problem for several years.
4. Stockton
Stockton, situated in California’s Central Valley region, is recognized as one of the most perilous cities. It resides within San Joaquin County and is home to approximately 320,804 individuals. The crime rate in Stockton significantly surpasses both the national and state averages.
In the year 2021, the incidence of violent crime was reported to be 12.62 per 1,000 residents, indicating a 1 in 79 chance of becoming a victim. Additionally, property crime rates in Stockton are substantially higher compared to other cities of similar size, with over 9,000 reported instances in 2021.
5. San Bernardino
San Bernardino is considered one of the most dangerous cities in California. It has a population of 222,101 and experiences a crime rate that is 79% higher than the national average. Between 2017 and 2022, there was a significant increase of 39% in violent crimes such as robbery and murder.
Although property crime has decreased since 2017, there has been a staggering rise of 145% in crimes like aggravated assault, making San Bernardino one of the least desirable places to reside in California.
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Methodology For Determining the Most Dangerous Cities in California
In order to identify the most perilous cities in California in 2023, we analyzed the crime rates across various cities, taking into account metrics such as per capita rates of theft, burglary, and murder.
Although major cities like Los Angeles may exhibit higher overall crime numbers, certain smaller cities demonstrate a higher proportion of criminal incidents, thereby rendering them statistically more violent.
The aforementioned data has been gathered from the latest statistics provided by the FBI Uniform Crime Report, as well as information released by city and county governments.