Top 10 Most Dangerous Cities in California
California, known for its diverse landscapes and vibrant cities, also has areas with higher crime rates. In this updated list of the 10 most dangerous places in California, we delve into the crime statistics to provide an overview of safety conditions in these cities. Please note that crime statistics can change over time, and this list is based on data available until September 2021.
1. Emeryville
Emeryville, CA
Emeryville, with just over 10,000 residents, ranked as one of the smallest places in our top 10 and the state. In 2021, it had the highest number of crimes per person in California. While 1,910 total crimes may not seem exceptionally high, considering the small population size, it was significant. This was due to both its high number of violent crimes per person (the second highest in the state) and its elevated number of property crimes per person (the highest in the state). Emeryville residents had a 1 in 5 chance of being the victim of a crime.
2. Oakland
Oakland, CA
Oakland, in 2021, had the highest number of murders per person and the highest number of violent crimes in general per person in California. Additionally, it had the fifth-highest number of property crimes per person, resulting in a total of 12,885 crimes that year, the third most total crimes per capita in the state.
3. Stockton
Stockton, CA
Stockton, in a positive note, ranked 12th for its number of property crimes per capita out of 365 places. However, in 2021, it had the third-highest number of violent crimes per person in California, including the fourth most murders per person. Specifically, Stockton reported a total of 71 murders and 4,630 violent crimes in one year.
4. San Bernardino
San Bernardino, CA
Despite its nickname, "The Friendly City," San Bernardino faced safety challenges in 2021. It had the eighth most murders per person in California. Additionally, it ranked 14th in violent crimes and 19th in property crimes, resulting in the 14th most total crimes per person. Residents had a 1 in 17 chance of being the victim of a crime.
5. San Pablo
San Pablo, CA
San Pablo and the city that surrounds it, Richmond, shared high crime rates in 2021. San Pablo had the sixth-highest number of murders per person. It reported a total of 277 violent crimes, ranking 15th in violent crimes per person, and 1,459 property crimes, ranking 20th in property crimes per person. Overall, San Pablo residents had a 1 in 17 chance of being the victim of a crime.
6. Richmond
Richmond, CA
Richmond ranked as one of the most dangerous cities in California in 2021. It had the ninth most violent crimes per person, including 717 assaults, 391 robberies, 36 rapes, and 18 murders. Richmond ranked 13th in murders per person and 27th in property crimes per person, resulting in the 15th highest number of total crimes per person for the year.
7. Merced
Merced, CA
Merced featured in our top 10 due to a high number of crimes across various categories in 2021. It had the 12th highest number of violent crimes per person, including the 28th highest number of murders per person. Additionally, it ranked 14th in property crimes per person, resulting in a total of 4,921 crimes, the 11th highest number of total crimes per person in California.
8. Commerce
Commerce, CA
Commerce had fewer murders per person than other cities in our top 10 (ranking No. 42 in this category). However, it ranked 18th in violent crimes. Commerce's main concern was its high number of property crimes, ranking second in the state. With 1,010 property crimes in 2021 and a population just over 13,000 people, Commerce had the second-highest property crime rate per person. Its elevated number of violent crimes and property crimes added up to a total of 1,122 crimes for the year, the second most per person in California.
9. Modesto
Modesto, CA
In 2021, Modesto ranked 10th for property crimes per person in California, with a significant number of thefts and burglaries. Modesto also reported the 23rd highest number of violent crimes, including the 30th most murders per person. These rankings combined to make Modesto the 10th most dangerous place in terms of overall crimes per person in the state.
10. Clearlake
Clearlake, CA
Clearlake, a small city in Lake County, faced high crime rates in 2021. It had the eighth-highest number of violent crimes per person, primarily consisting of assaults. Unfortunately, it also reported two murders per capita, ranking 19th in murders per capita. These, along with its ranking as 35th for property crimes per person, contributed to it having the 23rd highest number of total crimes per person in California and securing the final spot on our list.