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California is home to vibrant communities and world-famous cities, but some areas face persistent struggles with violent crime. Drawing on recent FBI data, this look at the top ten most dangerous California cities reveals stark differences in safety. Each of these towns has unique circumstances, yet all share higher violent crime rates per 100,000 residents. Understanding the factors and statistics behind these numbers helps clarify the broader picture of public safety in the state.
1. Stockton
With a population of around 314,000, Stockton ranks at the top for violent crime in California, recording a rate of 1,397 incidents per 100,000 residents. This includes approximately 34 murders, 181 reported rapes, 1,158 robberies, and 3,007 aggravated assaults each year. The city’s economic struggles, its role as a transport hub, and a history of community challenges all contribute to an environment where resources can be stretched and residents face a higher risk of encountering violent crime.
2. San Bernardino
San Bernardino comes next, with a population of 216,715 and a violent crime rate of 1,318 per 100,000 people. This city sees around 46 murders, 140 rapes, 906 robberies, and 1,766 aggravated assaults annually. Persistent economic challenges, high unemployment, and urban density create conditions where crime tends to be concentrated in certain neighborhoods, making targeted prevention especially difficult.
3. Oakland
Oakland is known for its cultural richness but also contends with a violent crime rate of 1,271 per 100,000 among its 434,000 residents. Annually, the city experiences approximately 78 murders, 372 reported rapes, 2,859 robberies, and 2,211 aggravated assaults. Factors like persistent inequality, strained municipal resources, and transit corridors all contribute to making law enforcement and prevention a continuous challenge in Oakland.
4. Compton
Compton’s population is just under 100,000, but its violent crime rate remains high at 1,142 per 100,000 people. Residents experience about 18 murders, 40 rapes, 427 robberies, and 619 aggravated assaults each year. Generational poverty, a high density of young people, and legacy issues stemming from past underinvestment all play significant roles in shaping the city’s public safety environment.
5. Richmond
Richmond, with about 111,000 residents, reports a violent crime rate of 931 per 100,000. There are around 16 murders, 36 rapes, 307 robberies, and 675 aggravated assaults recorded every year. Richmond’s crime profile is influenced by a mix of economic shifts, its industrial heritage, and community efforts to turn the tide, even as vulnerabilities persist in some areas of the city.
6. Lancaster
Lancaster is a growing city of about 159,000, newly rising into the top ten. Its violent crime rate now stands at 853 per 100,000. The city typically sees 7 murders, 114 rapes, 374 robberies, and 864 aggravated assaults annually. A rapid increase in population, combined with service and housing shortages, has placed new pressures on both law enforcement and community cohesion.
7. Vallejo
Vallejo, a Bay Area city with about 121,000 residents, faces a high violent crime rate near 10 per 1,000 people. In 2024, the city saw at least 25 murders, over 40 rapes, and more than 500 aggravated assaults, alongside more than 1,100 auto burglaries or thefts. Residents and local leaders cite police understaffing, economic hardship, and concentrated poverty as causes. The city’s safety concerns deeply affect locals, fueling urgent calls for more support and reform.
8. Modesto
Modesto recently recorded a violent crime rate of 812 per 100,000 residents, with a population just over 216,000. The city tallies about 13 murders, 94 rapes, 399 robberies, and 1,252 aggravated assaults each year. Rapid population growth and ongoing suburban expansion have led to uneven access to community support and services in some new neighborhoods. This imbalance influences both the overall volume and types of crimes being reported, as new areas adjust to changes in infrastructure, policing, and local engagement.
9. Victorville
Victorville, a city of 123,089 residents, has climbed the ranks with a violent crime rate of 803. There are roughly 5 murders, 45 rapes, 255 robberies, and 683 aggravated assaults yearly. Factors driving these numbers include its role as a regional hub, population growth, and challenges tied to providing adequate policing and public resources to newly developed housing tracts.
10. Huntington Park
Huntington Park rounds out the list, with a violent crime rate of 787 among its 58,181 people. This translates to about 3 murders, 31 rapes, 249 robberies, and 175 aggravated assaults each year. The city faces unique pressures as an entry point for new residents, reflecting both demographic change and the demands associated with dense, lower-income urban communities.