The chance of becoming a crime victim in Oakland, California is high in some of the city’s neighborhoods.
The violent crime rate in the city is higher than the national average for violent crimes.
A CBS report indicates that by October 2023, there were 104 homicides in Oakland so far for the year
. The fact is, the number is lower than the reported homicide rate by October 2022 and at the same time in 2021.
City Data compared the 2020 crime rates in Oakland, CA to other recent years.
There were 102 reported homicides in 2020 per 100,000 people, compared to just 78 per 100,000 people in 2019.
Many types of crimes went down in 2020.
Some crimes that decreased include the number of reported rapes, robberies, burglaries, and thefts.
People who live in Oakland or who are considering moving to the area are likely to wonder if Oakland is a safe city.
Many neighborhoods in Oakland are safe for single residents, for families, and seniors.
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10 Safest Neighborhoods in Oakland
1. Panoramic Hill
Panoramic Hill, located in the eastern part of Oakland, is a beautiful area.
The neighborhood has a high cost of living, which exceeds the overall cost of living in Oakland.
People still move to Panoramic Hill despite the high cost of living.
One category with high ratings is the grade of “A+” that Panoramic Hill has for its crime rate.
The crime rate for the neighborhood is 56 percent lower than the overall crime rate for California.
Panoramic Hill has a 46 percent lower crime rate than the national average.
The chance of becoming a crime victim in the neighborhood is also 46 percent lower than the national average.
2. Woodminster
Woodminster is considered to be one of the best places to live in the U.S.
The high cost of living may be a factor for some people who want to move to a safe Oakland neighborhood.
The median rent is more than $3,500, while the median Woodminster home value is more than $1.1 million.
Crime in Woodminster is more than 70 percent lower than the Oakland average crime rate.
It is equal to the national average, but it is lower than the state average.
3. Forestland
Forestland has several restaurants, a few parks, and other places for residents to go to enjoy the neighborhood amenities.
The median income for Forestland is 198 percent above the median California income, and 243 percent above the national average for median income.
Another feature of Forestland that residents appreciate is the sense of living in a safe neighborhood.
The crime rate in Forestland is 30 percent lower than the California average.
It is also lower than the U.S. average.
4. Crocker Highland
Located in the Lower Hills district of Oakland is the Crocker Highland neighborhood.
The beautiful neighborhood gardens, and the historic Tudor and colonial-style homes appeal to many people who make Crocker Highland their home.
The neighborhood has excellent amenities, excellent schools, and an exceptional livability rating.
It is one of the safest Oakland neighborhoods.
The overall crime rate is 25 percent lower than the national average, and nearly 40 percent lower than the state average.
5. Caballo Hills
The Caballo Hills neighborhood has a variety of types of properties.
Residents enjoy living in apartments, single-family homes, lake homes, and penthouses.
Caballo Hills has a strong sense of community with friendly residents.
Neighborhood watches help to keep the community safe.
The low crime rate contributes to residents choosing to live in the neighborhood.
People who live in or visit Caballo Hills have a one in 50 chance of becoming a crime victim, which is 22 percent lower than the national average.
The total crime rate is also lower than the U.S. average for overall crime.
6. Merriwood
Merriwood is a quiet community of less than 4,000 residents.
Although there are only a few amenities in the neighborhood, residents enjoy their short commute and having excellent employment that pays for their homes.
The median home value in Merriwood is $1,096,433, which is much higher than the median home value in California, and in the U.S.
The high cost of living may play a role in the low crime rate.
The Merriwood neighborhood is a safe Oakland neighborhood.
The crime rate is 16 percent lower than the average crime rate for the state.
7. Upper Rockridge
The Upper Rockridge neighborhood has an excellent livability score.
It also has excellent schools.
Residents enjoy their short commute and amenities such as nearby art galleries, theaters, restaurants, and parks.
The safety of the neighborhood is another feature that draws people to Upper Rockridge.
Crime rates in Upper Rockridge are nearly 25 percent lower than the state average.
Crime in Upper Rockridge is also lower than the national average.
8. Chabot Park
Residents of Chabot Park enjoy its natural beauty and amenities.
The cost of living in Chabot Park is slightly higher than the Oakland average, but it does not detract from people who want to live in the neighborhood.
The short commute and the proximity of nearby health facilities appeal to residents.
The safety of the neighborhood is another reason to move to Chabot Park.
The crime rate is 30 percent lower than the state average and lower than the U.S. average.
9. Shepherd Canyon
Shepherd Canyon has an excellent livability score, even though the cost of living in the neighborhood is 23 percent higher than the Oakland cost of living.
The neighborhood is a small community of around 1,800 residents.
The overall crime rate in Shepherd Canyon is slightly higher than the national average.
It is 69 percent lower than the Oakland crime rate.
The Shepherd Canyon crime rate is also lower than the state crime rate.
10. Oakmore
Oakmore is one of the wealthiest neighborhoods in the country.
The older, well-established residences attract families, younger adults, and seniors.
Oakmore’s residents are highly educated, with more than 84 percent of the residents holding a bachelor’s degree or a higher degree.
The crime rate in Oakmore is 68 percent lower than the Oakland crime rate.
The neighborhood has a crime rate that is slightly higher than the state and the national average.
These statistics are why the neighborhood scores an “A-” for its crime rate.
5 Safety Tips for Traveling to Oakland
- Map your trip before leaving home. Map out your trip before traveling to Oakland. Know where the safe areas are in Oakland and stay in those neighborhoods.
- Stop in well-lit locations. If you do need to stop in an area that is not one of the safest neighborhoods, be sure to stop at a well-lit location where there are a lot of people.
- Do not go to areas that you do not know. Do not assume that an area is a safe Oakland neighborhood just because you think that it looks safe. Do not get out of your vehicle if you do not know where you are in the city.
- Avoid Oakland’s unsafe neighborhoods. Some of the dangerous Oakland neighborhoods have amenities that people may want to enjoy. Do not go to unsafe neighborhoods that are known for violence and high crime rates, even if they have good amenities.
- Do not walk alone in Oakland. Remember that strength comes in numbers. Do not walk alone in Oakland, CA., especially at night. Walk with several friends or family members.
Oakland Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Oakland Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW
- MUGGING RISK: HIGH
- TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM
- SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some dangerous neighborhoods in Oakland?
Several sources list the Eastmont neighborhood as being a dangerous neighborhood with a high crime rate.
Other Oakland neighborhoods with a crime rate that exceeds the Oakland average include the Fitchburg neighborhood and the Webster neighborhood.
The Hawthorne and Freemont neighborhoods also have high crime rates.
Is it safe for me to visit Downtown Oakland?
Downtown Oakland, CA is a very safe area for residents and visitors.
Feel free to safely walk around the downtown Oakland area, so long as you stay on the well-traveled streets where there are other people.
Does tension exist between law enforcement officials and Oakland residents?
Tensions between community members and local law enforcement officers remain high throughout much of Oakland.
If you feel that you are a victim of unfair treatment or discrimination from a police officer or other law enforcement official in the city of Oakland, report it to Oakland’s city government officials.
