California's 25 Most Dangerous Cities in Motor Crime - Updated 2023

Unmasking California's Challenges: Exploring the 25 Least Safe Cities in motor crime

Author: CrimeData.io Research Team

In a world filled with both promise and peril, understanding the areas where safety concerns loom large becomes crucial. Join us on an eye-opening expedition as we uncover the 25 most dangerous cities across California. From bustling urban hubs to underprivileged neighborhoods, these communities grapple with security challenges that demand attention.

Where does the crime data come from?

This comprehensive list of the safest and most dangerous cities in California is backed by credible data sourced directly from the FBI's National Incident-Based Reporting System (NBIRS). By relying on this authoritative database, we ensure that the information presented here is not only accurate but also up-to-date. The FBI's NBIRS system is a trusted source for crime statistics, providing valuable insights into the security landscapes of cities and communities across the nation.

How do we rank the cities?

Our ranking system is based on the total number of crimes reported in each city. We then calculated the crime rate per 100,000 population for each city. The cities with the lowest crime rates were ranked as the safest cities in California. Conversely, the cities with the highest crime rates were ranked as the most dangerous cities in California.

To ensure the relevance and accuracy of our rankings, this list includes only cities and communities in California with a population of more than 5,000 residents. This population threshold allows us to focus on areas where a significant number of people live and work, providing a meaningful perspective on safety for the majority of our readers.

The data presented in this report spans a period from 2012 to 2021. By aggregating information over this decade, we gain valuable insights into the trends and changes in safety and crime rates within California. This long-term perspective allows us to identify both short-term fluctuations and broader patterns, providing a comprehensive view of the security landscape in the state.

#25 Compton

County: Los Angeles

918

Crime per 100,000 population

+115.34%

vs. California average

+274.56%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of motor crime rate in Compton from 2012 to 2022

Compton is an area in Los Angeles, California with population of 96,083. The motor crime rate in Compton is based on the nearest law agency agency, South Gate Police Department (CA0196900). Compton motor crime rate is 918 per 100,000 population, compared to California average of 426.73 per 100,000 population and United States average of 245.33 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Compton

#24 Thermalito

County: Butte

934

Crime per 100,000 population

+118.97%

vs. California average

+280.88%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of motor crime rate in Thermalito from 2012 to 2022

Thermalito is an area in Butte, California with population of 6,665. The motor crime rate in Thermalito is based on the nearest law agency agency, Oroville Police Department (CA0040400). Thermalito motor crime rate is 934 per 100,000 population, compared to California average of 426.73 per 100,000 population and United States average of 245.33 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Thermalito

#23 Palermo

County: Butte

934

Crime per 100,000 population

+118.97%

vs. California average

+280.88%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of motor crime rate in Palermo from 2012 to 2022

Palermo is an area in Butte, California with population of 5,387. The motor crime rate in Palermo is based on the nearest law agency agency, Oroville Police Department (CA0040400). Palermo motor crime rate is 934 per 100,000 population, compared to California average of 426.73 per 100,000 population and United States average of 245.33 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Palermo

#22 Oroville East

County: Butte

934

Crime per 100,000 population

+118.97%

vs. California average

+280.88%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of motor crime rate in Oroville East from 2012 to 2022

Oroville East is an area in Butte, California with population of 7,701. The motor crime rate in Oroville East is based on the nearest law agency agency, Oroville Police Department (CA0040400). Oroville East motor crime rate is 934 per 100,000 population, compared to California average of 426.73 per 100,000 population and United States average of 245.33 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Oroville East

#21 Oroville

County: Butte

934

Crime per 100,000 population

+118.97%

vs. California average

+280.88%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of motor crime rate in Oroville from 2012 to 2022

Oroville is an area in Butte, California with population of 20,409. The motor crime rate in Oroville is based on the nearest law agency agency, Oroville Police Department (CA0040400). Oroville motor crime rate is 934 per 100,000 population, compared to California average of 426.73 per 100,000 population and United States average of 245.33 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Oroville

#20 San Lorenzo

County: Alameda

999

Crime per 100,000 population

+134.15%

vs. California average

+307.28%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of motor crime rate in San Lorenzo from 2012 to 2022

San Lorenzo is an area in Alameda, California with population of 30,420. The motor crime rate in San Lorenzo is based on the nearest law agency agency, Hayward Police Department (CA0010600). San Lorenzo motor crime rate is 999 per 100,000 population, compared to California average of 426.73 per 100,000 population and United States average of 245.33 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in San Lorenzo

#19 San Leandro

County: Alameda

999

Crime per 100,000 population

+134.15%

vs. California average

+307.28%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of motor crime rate in San Leandro from 2012 to 2022

San Leandro is an area in Alameda, California with population of 91,176. The motor crime rate in San Leandro is based on the nearest law agency agency, Hayward Police Department (CA0010600). San Leandro motor crime rate is 999 per 100,000 population, compared to California average of 426.73 per 100,000 population and United States average of 245.33 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in San Leandro

#18 Hayward

County: Alameda

999

Crime per 100,000 population

+134.15%

vs. California average

+307.28%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of motor crime rate in Hayward from 2012 to 2022

Hayward is an area in Alameda, California with population of 162,254. The motor crime rate in Hayward is based on the nearest law agency agency, Hayward Police Department (CA0010600). Hayward motor crime rate is 999 per 100,000 population, compared to California average of 426.73 per 100,000 population and United States average of 245.33 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Hayward

#17 Fairview

County: Alameda

999

Crime per 100,000 population

+134.15%

vs. California average

+307.28%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of motor crime rate in Fairview from 2012 to 2022

Fairview is an area in Alameda, California with population of 11,050. The motor crime rate in Fairview is based on the nearest law agency agency, Hayward Police Department (CA0010600). Fairview motor crime rate is 999 per 100,000 population, compared to California average of 426.73 per 100,000 population and United States average of 245.33 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Fairview

#16 Cherryland

County: Alameda

999

Crime per 100,000 population

+134.15%

vs. California average

+307.28%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of motor crime rate in Cherryland from 2012 to 2022

Cherryland is an area in Alameda, California with population of 15,552. The motor crime rate in Cherryland is based on the nearest law agency agency, Hayward Police Department (CA0010600). Cherryland motor crime rate is 999 per 100,000 population, compared to California average of 426.73 per 100,000 population and United States average of 245.33 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Cherryland

#15 Castro Valley

County: Alameda

999

Crime per 100,000 population

+134.15%

vs. California average

+307.28%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of motor crime rate in Castro Valley from 2012 to 2022

Castro Valley is an area in Alameda, California with population of 66,324. The motor crime rate in Castro Valley is based on the nearest law agency agency, Hayward Police Department (CA0010600). Castro Valley motor crime rate is 999 per 100,000 population, compared to California average of 426.73 per 100,000 population and United States average of 245.33 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Castro Valley

#14 Ashland

County: Alameda

999

Crime per 100,000 population

+134.15%

vs. California average

+307.28%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of motor crime rate in Ashland from 2012 to 2022

Ashland is an area in Alameda, California with population of 23,640. The motor crime rate in Ashland is based on the nearest law agency agency, Hayward Police Department (CA0010600). Ashland motor crime rate is 999 per 100,000 population, compared to California average of 426.73 per 100,000 population and United States average of 245.33 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Ashland

#13 Whittier

County: Los Angeles

1,089

Crime per 100,000 population

+155.25%

vs. California average

+343.99%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of motor crime rate in Whittier from 2012 to 2022

Whittier is an area in Los Angeles, California with population of 87,184. The motor crime rate in Whittier is based on the nearest law agency agency, Santa Fe Springs Police Department (CA0196400). Whittier motor crime rate is 1,089 per 100,000 population, compared to California average of 426.73 per 100,000 population and United States average of 245.33 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Whittier

#12 West Whittier-Los Nietos

County: Los Angeles

1,089

Crime per 100,000 population

+155.25%

vs. California average

+343.99%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of motor crime rate in West Whittier-Los Nietos from 2012 to 2022

West Whittier-Los Nietos is an area in Los Angeles, California with population of 26,275. The motor crime rate in West Whittier-Los Nietos is based on the nearest law agency agency, Santa Fe Springs Police Department (CA0196400). West Whittier-Los Nietos motor crime rate is 1,089 per 100,000 population, compared to California average of 426.73 per 100,000 population and United States average of 245.33 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in West Whittier-Los Nietos

#11 South Whittier

County: Los Angeles

1,089

Crime per 100,000 population

+155.25%

vs. California average

+343.99%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of motor crime rate in South Whittier from 2012 to 2022

South Whittier is an area in Los Angeles, California with population of 58,800. The motor crime rate in South Whittier is based on the nearest law agency agency, Santa Fe Springs Police Department (CA0196400). South Whittier motor crime rate is 1,089 per 100,000 population, compared to California average of 426.73 per 100,000 population and United States average of 245.33 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in South Whittier

#10 Santa Fe Springs

County: Los Angeles

1,089

Crime per 100,000 population

+155.25%

vs. California average

+343.99%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of motor crime rate in Santa Fe Springs from 2012 to 2022

Santa Fe Springs is an area in Los Angeles, California with population of 18,817. The motor crime rate in Santa Fe Springs is based on the nearest law agency agency, Santa Fe Springs Police Department (CA0196400). Santa Fe Springs motor crime rate is 1,089 per 100,000 population, compared to California average of 426.73 per 100,000 population and United States average of 245.33 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Santa Fe Springs

#9 Hacienda Heights

County: Los Angeles

1,089

Crime per 100,000 population

+155.25%

vs. California average

+343.99%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of motor crime rate in Hacienda Heights from 2012 to 2022

Hacienda Heights is an area in Los Angeles, California with population of 54,841. The motor crime rate in Hacienda Heights is based on the nearest law agency agency, Santa Fe Springs Police Department (CA0196400). Hacienda Heights motor crime rate is 1,089 per 100,000 population, compared to California average of 426.73 per 100,000 population and United States average of 245.33 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Hacienda Heights

#8 Walnut Park

County: Los Angeles

1,093

Crime per 100,000 population

+156.24%

vs. California average

+345.72%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of motor crime rate in Walnut Park from 2012 to 2022

Walnut Park is an area in Los Angeles, California with population of 16,453. The motor crime rate in Walnut Park is based on the nearest law agency agency, Huntington Park Police Department (CA0193100). Walnut Park motor crime rate is 1,093 per 100,000 population, compared to California average of 426.73 per 100,000 population and United States average of 245.33 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Walnut Park

#7 Huntington Park

County: Los Angeles

1,093

Crime per 100,000 population

+156.24%

vs. California average

+345.72%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of motor crime rate in Huntington Park from 2012 to 2022

Huntington Park is an area in Los Angeles, California with population of 55,439. The motor crime rate in Huntington Park is based on the nearest law agency agency, Huntington Park Police Department (CA0193100). Huntington Park motor crime rate is 1,093 per 100,000 population, compared to California average of 426.73 per 100,000 population and United States average of 245.33 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Huntington Park

#6 Florence-Graham

County: Los Angeles

1,093

Crime per 100,000 population

+156.24%

vs. California average

+345.72%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of motor crime rate in Florence-Graham from 2012 to 2022

Florence-Graham is an area in Los Angeles, California with population of 64,109. The motor crime rate in Florence-Graham is based on the nearest law agency agency, Huntington Park Police Department (CA0193100). Florence-Graham motor crime rate is 1,093 per 100,000 population, compared to California average of 426.73 per 100,000 population and United States average of 245.33 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Florence-Graham

#5 San Ramon

County: Contra Costa

1,328

Crime per 100,000 population

+211.31%

vs. California average

+441.49%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of motor crime rate in San Ramon from 2012 to 2022

San Ramon is an area in Contra Costa, California with population of 85,688. The motor crime rate in San Ramon is based on the nearest law agency agency, Emeryville Police Department (CA0010400). San Ramon motor crime rate is 1,328 per 100,000 population, compared to California average of 426.73 per 100,000 population and United States average of 245.33 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in San Ramon

#4 Pleasanton

County: Alameda

1,328

Crime per 100,000 population

+211.31%

vs. California average

+441.49%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of motor crime rate in Pleasanton from 2012 to 2022

Pleasanton is an area in Alameda, California with population of 79,558. The motor crime rate in Pleasanton is based on the nearest law agency agency, Emeryville Police Department (CA0010400). Pleasanton motor crime rate is 1,328 per 100,000 population, compared to California average of 426.73 per 100,000 population and United States average of 245.33 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Pleasanton

#3 Dublin

County: Alameda

1,328

Crime per 100,000 population

+211.31%

vs. California average

+441.49%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of motor crime rate in Dublin from 2012 to 2022

Dublin is an area in Alameda, California with population of 69,818. The motor crime rate in Dublin is based on the nearest law agency agency, Emeryville Police Department (CA0010400). Dublin motor crime rate is 1,328 per 100,000 population, compared to California average of 426.73 per 100,000 population and United States average of 245.33 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Dublin

#2 Seaside

County: Monterey

1,594

Crime per 100,000 population

+273.74%

vs. California average

+550.08%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of motor crime rate in Seaside from 2012 to 2022

Seaside is an area in Monterey, California with population of 116,189. The motor crime rate in Seaside is based on the nearest law agency agency, Sand City Police Department (CA0270900). Seaside motor crime rate is 1,594 per 100,000 population, compared to California average of 426.73 per 100,000 population and United States average of 245.33 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Seaside

#1 Vincent

County: Los Angeles

2,227

Crime per 100,000 population

+422.01%

vs. California average

+807.99%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of motor crime rate in Vincent from 2012 to 2022

Vincent is an area in Los Angeles, California with population of 16,399. The motor crime rate in Vincent is based on the nearest law agency agency, Irwindale Police Department (CA0193400). Vincent motor crime rate is 2,227 per 100,000 population, compared to California average of 426.73 per 100,000 population and United States average of 245.33 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Vincent

Factors Influencing Crime Rates in California

Safety Tips for Motor Crime in California

Explore More on Crime Rates in California

Interested in learning more about crime rates in California? Check out our comprehensive guide to crime rates in California for a detailed analysis of crime trends and statistics across the state. From the safest cities to the most dangerous communities, this guide provides a comprehensive overview of crime rates in California.

Explore More on Crime Rates in United States

Curious about crime rates in the United States? Explore our comprehensive guide to crime statistics and trends across the country. From the safest cities to the most concerning communities, this guide offers an in-depth analysis of crime rates throughout the United States.

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