The 10 Most Dangerous Cities in California - Should You Avoid in 2023? (2023)

After peaking in the early 1990s, total crime in California fell to 50 years in 2014 and has done soremained relatively stableever since, according to the FBI's crime report. However, the types of crime that have increased in recent years are homicide (up 41.2% in 2021) and aggravated assault (up 18%).

On average, a crime occurs somewhere in California every 15 seconds. Mostcommon crimesAre:

• theft
• drug offenses
• vandalism
• Burglary
• vehicle theft
• attack

So where are the most dangerous cities in California? Here is the top 10 list afterpopulationu.com:

10. Vista

Vista is a city in San Diego County, California and like many other urban areas, it suffers from some level of crime. According to recent crime data, Vista has a crime rate that is higher than the national average, with property crime higher than violent crime. However, it is important to note that crime rates can vary depending on many factors including location, time of day and other circumstances. Law enforcement agencies in Vista work to prevent and solve crimes, and the community also plays an important role in promoting safety and security.

9.San Diego

Violent crime, including manslaughter, aggravated assault, and robbery, has also declined in recent years, although San Diego still has higher violent crime rates than some other comparable-sized cities. Property crime, including burglary and theft, has also declined over the past year, although vehicle theft has increased.

8. Ocean side

Like many cities in California, Oceanside is affected by crime to varying degrees. According to recent data from the Oceanside Police Department, the city's overall crime rate has been declining in recent years.

7. El Cajon

Like any city, El Cajon is criminal and is considered one of the most dangerous cities in California. In recent years, El Cajon has seen its overall crime rate decrease, and while there is still some violent crime, rates have also declined.

6. Visalia

Visalia is a city in California's San Joaquin Valley and, like any urban area, is plagued by crime.

According to the latest FBI data, the city's violent crime rate is below the national average and its property crime rate is slightly above the national average.

The most commonly reported crimes in Visalia are theft, burglary and auto theft. The city has a well-trained police force and a community that is actively involved in preventing and reporting crime.

5. Fresno

Fresno is a city in California's Central Valley. The city has a higher crime rate than the national average, with a particularly high rate of violent crime.

According to the latest FBI data, the most commonly reported crimes in Fresno are property crimes, such as theft and burglary, and violent crimes, such as aggravated assault and robbery. The city has a large and well-resourced police force, but its high crime rate can pose challenges in terms of crime prevention and community safety. However, Fresno has taken steps to combat crime through various community programs and initiatives aimed at reducing gang violence and improving neighborhood safety.

4. Santa Maria

Property crimes such as theft and burglary are the most commonly reported crimes in Santa Maria, but the city also experiences a significant amount of violent crime.

3. Modesto

Located north of Merced, Modesto has its own criminal concerns. Crime here is 37% above the national average and has one of the highest levels of vehicle theft in the state. More than 23,000 cars are stolen every year.

2. Anaheim

Anaheim is a city in Southern California and is classified as a dangerous city in California, with property crimes such as theft and burglary being the most commonly reported crimes. Anaheim also experiences a significant amount of violent crime, particularly muggings and robberies.

1. Stockton

Stockton has been ranked as California's most dangerous city in recent years. It has endured some tough economic times, with violent crime rates of 8.86 per 1,000 residents. Property crimes are among the most frequently reported crimes.

Complete List of Crime Rates of TOP 10 Most Dangerous Cities in California (Source:populationu.com)

Other Dangerous Cities in California

Rotate Bluff

Red Bluff is a smaller Northern California community located between Chico and Redding. The city has a population of about 14,200 but reports 6,427 crimes per 100,000 residents. According to FBI statistics, Red Bluff residents have a 1 in 87 chance of being a victim of a violent crime.

Merced

Merced is another Central Valley town with a high crime rate. The number of homicides has increased over the past three years, doubling from 2019 to 2020 and continuing at this rate. The crime rate in Merced is 599 per 1,000 residents.

Richmond

Located east of San Francisco, Richmond has a crime rate that is 82% higher than the national average.

San Bernardino

San Bernadino ranks fifth on the list but has a reputation for being a city with one of the highest homicide rates in the country. Homicides and robberies have increased nearly 40% over the past five years. Heavy Attack increased by 145%.

Bakersfield

With a population of over 400,000, Bakersfield's crime rate is nearly double the national average. While the homicide rate has declined over the past two years, gang activity has increased. Yet Bakersfield and surrounding Kern County have more homicides per capita than almost anywhere else. With a violent crime rate of 48 per thousand people, the odds of being a victim of violent or property crime are about one in 21.

Oakland

Oakland has 1,274 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 235 times the national average. Gun violence and gang activity are at the heart of many crimes. The 8th^thOakland, California's largest city, has seen a decline in crime over the past decade but is still California's second most dangerous city.

Emeryville

Emeryville tops list of most dangerous cities in California. The city has about 12,000 inhabitants and a crime rate of more than 18,000 per 100,000 inhabitants. With the highest violent crime rate in the state, it is 272% above the national average. However, no murders have been reported in the past two years.

Safest Cities in California

Which Cities in California Are the Safest? Six cities made the top 50 listsafest cities in america:

• Fremont (#17)
• Irvine (#26)
• Chula Vista (#38)
• Holy Rose (#39)
• Glendale (#40)
• San Diego (#48)

Although some larger cities, such as San Francisco and Los Angeles, have not made either list, that does not mean they are considered safe. Homicides in Los Angeles have risen sharply in the past three years to their highest level since 2010. While San Francisco's violent crime rate is 40% higher than the national average, it is less violent than many other major US cities. Some pockets are dangerous while other areas tend to have lower crime rates.