California is home to more than 480 incorporated municipalities, with 181 of these cities boasting populations over 50,000. Among these, certain cities stand out for their high rates of violent crime. According to Spolinlaw, Below is a comprehensive look at the top 15 most dangerous cities in California, ranked by their violent crime rates. The data is based on the report by FBI 2019 data.
1. Stockton
With a population of 313,604, Stockton leads the list with a staggering violent crime rate of 1,397 per 100,000 residents. In 2023, the city reported 4,380 violent crimes, including approximately 34 murders, 181 rapes, 1,158 robberies, and 3,007 aggravated assaults annually.
2. San Bernardino
San Bernardino, home to 216,715 people, follows closely with a violent crime rate of 1,318 per 100,000. The city reported 2,858 violent crimes in the past year, with an annual breakdown of about 46 murders, 140 rapes, 906 robberies, and 1,766 aggravated assaults.
3. Oakland
Oakland, with a population of 434,036, has a violent crime rate of 1,271 per 100,000. The city reported 5,520 violent crimes, including approximately 78 murders, 372 rapes, 2,859 robberies, and 2,211 aggravated assaults annually.
4. Compton
Compton, which has a population of 96,638, has a violent crime rate of 1,142 per 100,000. The city experienced 1,104 violent crimes, with about 18 murders, 40 rapes, 427 robberies, and 619 aggravated assaults reported annually.
5. Richmond
Richmond’s population of 110,988 corresponds with a violent crime rate of 931 per 100,000. The city reported 1,034 violent crimes, including approximately 16 murders, 36 rapes, 307 robberies, and 675 aggravated assaults each year.
6. Lancaster
Lancaster, home to 159,335 people, has a violent crime rate of 853 per 100,000. The city reported 1,359 violent crimes, with annual figures including about 7 murders, 114 rapes, 374 robberies, and 864 aggravated assaults.
7. Vallejo
Vallejo, with a population of 122,657, has a violent crime rate of 845 per 100,000. The city saw 1,037 violent crimes, with approximately 12 murders, 138 rapes, 336 robberies, and 551 aggravated assaults reported each year.
8. Modesto
Modesto’s population stands at 216,542, and the city has a violent crime rate of 812 per 100,000. The reported 1,758 violent crimes include about 13 murders, 94 rapes, 399 robberies, and 1,252 aggravated assaults annually.
9. Victorville
With a population of 123,089, Victorville has a violent crime rate of 803 per 100,000. The city reported 988 violent crimes, including approximately 5 murders, 45 rapes, 255 robberies, and 683 aggravated assaults each year.
10. Huntington Park
Huntington Park, which has a population of 58,181, has a violent crime rate of 787 per 100,000. The city saw 458 violent crimes, including about 3 murders, 31 rapes, 249 robberies, and 175 aggravated assaults annually.
11. Los Angeles
As California’s largest city, Los Angeles has a population of 4,015,546 and a violent crime rate of 732 per 100,000. The city reported 29,400 violent crimes, including approximately 258 murders, 2,274 rapes, 9,652 robberies, and 17,216 aggravated assaults each year.
12. Hawthorne
Hawthorne, with a population of 87,305, has a violent crime rate of 728 per 100,000. The city reported 636 violent crimes, with about 3 murders, 34 rapes, 190 robberies, and 409 aggravated assaults annually.
13. Santa Monica
Santa Monica, home to 91,621 people, has a violent crime rate of 725 per 100,000. The city reported 664 violent crimes, including approximately 3 murders, 40 rapes, 247 robberies, and 374 aggravated assaults each year.
14. San Francisco
San Francisco’s population of 886,007 corresponds with a violent crime rate of 670 per 100,000. The city saw 5,933 violent crimes, including approximately 40 murders, 324 rapes, 3,055 robberies, and 2,514 aggravated assaults annually.
15. South Gate
With a population of 94,445, South Gate has a violent crime rate of 659 per 100,000. The city reported 622 violent crimes, including about 4 murders, 21 rapes, 179 robberies, and 418 aggravated assaults each year.
These statistics highlight the challenges faced by these cities in addressing violent crime and underscore the importance of targeted interventions and community efforts to enhance public safety.
