Santa Clara County, California, spans the southern part of the San Francisco Bay Area and is known for its vast diversity. With a population of approximately 1.9 million individuals, the county boasts a significant presence of high-tech firms and universities.
While numerous neighborhoods in the county enjoy safety and prosperity, there are also pockets struggling with elevated rates of crime and violence. According to data from the Crime Strategies Unit within the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office, the following are the five most hazardous neighborhoods in Santa Clara County, California, as of the year 2020:
East San Jose:
East San Jose, situated in the eastern region of San Jose, the county’s largest city and seat, is densely populated. The crime data illustrates that East San Jose recorded the highest count of violent crimes in the county, with 3,551 incidents documented in 2020.
This equates to a violent crime rate of 13.7 per 1,000 residents, almost double the county average of 7.5. Predominant violent crimes in East San Jose encompassed aggravated assault (2,284 cases), robbery (1,030 cases), and homicide (237 cases).
Downtown San Jose:
Downtown San Jose functions as the central business district and cultural epicenter of the city, harboring around 100,000 inhabitants. Crime data indicates that Downtown San Jose registered the second-highest number of violent crimes in the county, with 1,057 incidents recorded in 2020.
This yielded a violent crime rate of 10.6 per 1,000 residents, surpassing the county average. Primary violent crimes in this area comprised aggravated assault (630 cases), robbery (370 cases), and homicide (57 cases).
Gilroy:
Gilroy, located in the county’s southernmost region, accommodates a population of approximately 60,000. As per crime statistics, Gilroy documented the third-highest count of violent crimes in the county, tallying 351 incidents in 2020. This equated to a violent crime rate of 5.8 per 1,000 residents, slightly below the county average.
Notably, Gilroy exhibited the highest homicide rate in the county, reporting 18 cases in 2020, corresponding to a homicide rate of 0.3 per 1,000 residents. Prominent violent crimes in Gilroy consisted of aggravated assault (223 cases), robbery (110 cases), and homicide (18 cases).
Milpitas:
Milpitas, located in the northeastern county area, is home to about 80,000 residents. The crime data revealed that Milpitas accounted for the fourth-highest number of violent crimes in the county, documenting 328 incidents in 2020.
This resulted in a violent crime rate of 4.1 per 1,000 residents, which falls under the county average. The predominant violent crimes in Milpitas encompassed aggravated assault (195 cases), robbery (123 cases), and homicide (10 cases).
Mountain View:
Mountain View, situated in the northwestern portion of the county, hosts an approximate population of 80,000. Per the crime data, Mountain View recorded the fifth-highest number of violent crimes in the county, with 315 incidents reported in 2020.
This translated to a violent crime rate of 3.9 per 1,000 residents, below the county average. Primary violent crimes in Mountain View comprised aggravated assault (189 cases), robbery (114 cases), and homicide (12 cases).
Conclusion
These neighborhoods grapple not only with violent crimes but also property-related offenses such as burglary, theft, and motor vehicle theft. The property crime rate in Santa Clara County for 2020 stood at 23.7 per 1,000 residents, slightly exceeding the national median of 19 per 1,000 residents.
However, certain neighborhoods reported significantly higher property crime rates than others. For instance, East San Jose exhibited a property crime rate of 40 per 1,000 residents, nearly twice the county average. Similarly, Downtown San Jose documented a property crime rate of 36 per 1,000 residents, surpassing the county average.