10 Most Dangerous Cities In California According to 2023 Crime Data

Most Dangerous Cities In California

After peaking in the early 1990s, crime overall in California fell to a 50-year in 2014 and has stayed relatively stable since then, according to the FBI’s crime report. The types of crimes that are on the rise over the past couple of years, however, are homicides (up 41.2% in 2021) and aggravated assaults (up 18%).

On average, a crime occurs somewhere in California every 15 seconds. The most common crimes are:

  • Theft
  • Drug-relates crimes
  • Vandalism
  • Burglary
  • Vehicle Theft
  • Assault

So, where are the most dangerous cities in California? Here’s the top list according to populationu.com:

10. Vista

PopulationViolent Crime CasesMurderRapeRobberyProperty CrimeBurglaryViolent Crime per 1000 persons
98,864294015681,1552452.97
PopulationViolent Crime CasesMurderViolent Crime per 1000 persons
98,86429402.97

Vista is a city in San Diego County, California, and like many other urban areas, it experiences some level of crime. According to recent crime data, Vista has a crime rate that is higher than the national average, with property crimes being more common than violent crimes. However, it’s 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

PopulationViolent Crime CasesMurderRapeRobberyProperty CrimeBurglaryViolent Crime
per 1K persons
1,402,5094,5134032497418,2522,5283.22
PopulationViolent Crime CasesMurderViolent Crime
per 1K persons
1,402,5094,513403.22

Violent crime, including homicide, aggravated assault, and robbery, has also decreased in recent years, although San Diego still experiences higher rates of violent crime than some other cities of comparable size. Property crime, including burglary and theft, also decreased in the past year, although motor vehicle theft has increased.

8. Oceanside

PopulationViolent Crime CasesMurderRapeRobberyProperty CrimeBurglaryViolent Crime per 1000 persons
176,8296064391432,6433783.43
PopulationViolent Crime CasesMurderViolent Crime per 1000 persons
176,82960643.43

Oceanside, like many cities in California, experiences crime to varying degrees. According to recent data from the Oceanside Police Department, the city’s overall crime rate has been decreasing in recent years.

7. El Cajon

PopulationViolent Crime CasesMurderRapeRobberyProperty CrimeBurglaryViolent Crime per 1000 persons
105,197367025821,2512243.49
PopulationViolent Crime CasesMurderViolent Crime per 1000 persons
105,19736703.49

Like any city, El Cajon experiences crime and it;s considered one of the most dangerous cities in the California. In recent years, El Cajon has seen a decrease in overall crime rates, and while there is still some violent crime, the rates have also been decreasing.

6. Visalia

PopulationViolent Crime CasesMurderRapeRobberyProperty CrimeBurglaryViolent Crime per 1000 persons
144,097547652962,4042743.80
PopulationViolent Crime CasesMurderViolent Crime per 1000 persons
144,09754763.80

Visalia is a city located in California’s San Joaquin Valley, and like any urban area, it experiences crime.

According to the most recent data from the FBI, the city’s violent crime rate is below the national average, and the property crime rate is slightly higher than the national average.

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

5. Fresno

PopulationViolent Crime CasesMurderRapeRobberyProperty CrimeBurglaryViolent Crime per 1000 persons
550,3242,4992311154513,4793,0354.54
PopulationViolent Crime CasesMurderViolent Crime per 1000 persons
550,3242,499234.54

Fresno is a city located 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 most recent data from the FBI, the most commonly reported crimes in Fresno are property crimes, such as theft and burglary, as well as violent crimes like aggravated assault and robbery. The city has a large and well-equipped police force, but its high crime rate can present a challenge in terms of crime prevention and community safety. However, Fresno has taken steps to address crime through various community programs and initiatives aimed at reducing gang violence and improving neighborhood safety.

4. Santa Maria

PopulationViolent Crime CasesMurderRapeRobberyProperty CrimeBurglaryViolent Crime per 1000 persons
109,8505266511532,1673014.79
PopulationViolent Crime CasesMurderViolent Crime per 1000 persons
109,85052664.79

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

PopulationViolent Crime CasesMurderRapeRobberyProperty CrimeBurglaryViolent Crime per 1000 persons
221,9071,2769722213,7474165.75
PopulationViolent Crime CasesMurderViolent Crime per 1000 persons
221,9071,27695.75

Modesto is to the north of Merced and has its own crime concerns. Crime here is 37% above the national average and has one of the largest numbers of vehicle thefts in the state. More than 23,000 cars are stolen each year.

2. Anaheim

PopulationViolent Crime CasesMurderRapeRobberyProperty CrimeBurglaryViolent Crime per 1000 persons
350,9982,08211862846,7011,2805.93
PopulationViolent Crime CasesMurderViolent Crime per 1000 persons
350,9982,082115.93

Anaheim is a city located in Southern California and it’s ranked as dangerous city in California with property crimes such as theft and burglary being the most commonly reported offenses. Anaheim also experiences a significant amount of violent crime, particularly aggravated assaults and robberies.

1. Stockton

PopulationViolent Crime CasesMurderRapeRobberyProperty CrimeBurglaryViolent Crime per 1000 persons
326,2482,889441347226,8011,5028.86
PopulationViolent Crime CasesMurderViolent Crime per 1000 persons
326,2482,889448.86

Stockton has been ranked as the most dangerous cities in California in past few years. It has been through some rough economic times with violent crime rates are 8.86 per 1,000 residents. Property crimes are among the most highly reported crimes.

Full list of crime rates of the TOP 10 most dangerous cities in California (Source: populationu.com)

Populationu.com is an online platform that provides a wide array of demographic data, including crime statistics, for countries and cities around the world. To collect and present crime data, the website aggregates information from various reputable sources, such as local and national police reports, government databases, and other credible sources of crime statistics. They employ rigorous data gathering and analysis methodologies to ensure the accuracy and reliability of their crime data.