Top 10 Worst Neighborhoods In California (2023)

The worst neighborhoods in California serve to remind the world that there is no place in the world without problems. This is one of the states in America with the highest concentration of wealth; actors and musicians, as well as tech billionaires, and fashion moguls all call this place home.

Next to the opulent neighborhoods with dashing mansions and their celebrity owners, there are entirely derelict areas, full of thieves and beggars, and all the unsavory kinds of people too foul to mention here.

In an odd, terrifying way, these two types of neighborhoods complement each other. Parents can point them out to their children as where their children might end up if they do not take their studies seriously, and make wise choices. In this post the bad neighborhoods are highlighted.

Top 10 Worst Neighborhoods In California

1. Emeryville

Emeryville is so bad that most people prefer to stay completely away from this neighborhood. This is a place with about 12,104 people; most of them being young people who probably came to California because of the movie industry. This is where many of the unsuccessful actors and musicians end up.

The neighborhood records around 18,192 crimes per 100,000 people. Emeryville also records 1,429 violent crimes per 100,000 people. Some of the common crimes in this town include murder, rape, robbery, and assault. Emeryville also records burglaries at around 818 burglaries per 100,000 people.

2. Oakland

Oakland, is located in Northern California; facing downwards from the Bay Area. This neighborhood has gained a reputation as one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in California; most residents have said they do not feel safe in the area, especially when they are walking alone.

Oakland records around 1,274 violent crimes per 100,000 people, and the most common types of crime in the area include murder, rape, robbery, and assault. The neighborhood records around 16 murders per 100,000 people, but rape is even worse; there are about 104 rapes per 100,000 in the neighborhood.

3. Commerce

Commerce is located in Southern California. It has a population of 12,808; and most of the residents live in fear. There is a high rate of crimes like murder, rape, robbery, and assault. Living in Commerce puts one in some danger; there is a 1 in 11 chance of becoming a victim of crime.

The neighborhood records 8 murders per 100,000, and 70 rapes per 100,000 people. Property Crime, on the other hand is far more rampart than that; there are 7,784 property crimes per 100,000 people. It is just not a good idea to live in this neighborhood, even with expensive home security gadgets.

4. Red Bluff

Red Bluff is a place in Northern California; and has a population of 14,283 people. This is a rather crazy place to live; the rate of crime just does not make it an ideal place to live, especially if one has children. Red Bluff records around 1,155 violent crimes per 100,000 people. Some of the violent crimes in this neighborhood include murder, rape, robbery, and assault.

Red Bluff records 14 murders per 100,000 people. When it comes to Property Crime the story is completely different; 5,272 property crimes are recorded in this area per 100,000 people. There are also 966 car thefts per 100,000 people recorded in this neighborhood, so a fancy car is just not a good idea.

5. Barstow

Barstow is a town in the South of California. The town has a population of around 23,973 people, and they all live in fear of crime. Most people in this neighborhood have the sense to not walk around alone when it gets dark, they also know how dangerous it is to be in deserted areas at odd hours of the day.

Violent crime is recorded in Barstow at the rate of 1,183 violent crimes per 100,000 people. If you do not fancy the chances (1 in 84) of suffering violent crime, then this is just not the place you want to call home.

Barstow records murders at the rate of 8 murders per 100,000 people, while there are 58 rapes per 100,000 people. There are 1,452 burglaries per 100,000 people in this town, and 713 car thefts per 100,000 people.

6. San Bernardino

San Bernardino, which some people also call San Berdoo is one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in California. With a population of around 215,941 people, it is quite easy for things to get out of hand. This is a very crazy place to live; there is too much crime.

There are around 12,700 crimes reported to the police, and 3,316 of that number are violent crimes. There are 23 murders per 100,000 people in this town, as well as 470 robberies per 100,000 people.

7. West Hollywood

West Hollywood is the most apt example of inequality in the human society; it is close to the rich neighborhood of Beverly Hills, but so contrasting because of the kind of people who live there. West Hollywood has a population of 36,854 people, and is full of people who didn’t make it in Hollywood and so ended up taking drugs and doing crime.

West Hollywood records murders at the rate of 8 murders per 100,000 people, and other popular crimes include rapes, robberies, and car theft.

It has been advised that those planning to visit or live in this neighborhood should use theft-proof bags. Residents and small business owners should also invest money in security measures.

8. Santa Monica

Santa Monica is another urban part of California; one with its fair share of Hollywood wannabes. However, the city has some vibe to it, there are many malls, cinemas and night clubs in this town; around 8.4 million visitors come in every year for sight seeing.

However, there is quite a lot of crime going on in this city. About 874 violent crimes per 100,000 people are reported here, and they include murder, rape, robbery, and assault.

The city records 729 burglaries per 100,000 people, as well as 261 car thefts per 100,000 people.

9. Signal Hill

Signal Hill is beautiful, and yet it can be deadly. The neighborhood has a population of about 11,555 people, but they rarely have their minds at rest. Signal Hill records around 6,733 crimes per 100,000 people, and 744 of them are violent. Some of the popular violent crimes in this city include murder, rape, robbery, and assault.

It is property crime that one has to really be afraid of; it happens at the rate of 926 burglaries per 100,000 people, and there are also about 978 car thefts per 100,000 people.

10. Eureka

Eureka is a neighborhood in the north of California, which has about 26,998 people calling it home. It has some nice beaches and waterfront areas. The problem is that these beaches also attract bums, and some people with criminal tendencies.

Eureka reported about 6,534 crimes per 100,000 people, and 733 of that number are violent. Some of the popular crimes include murder, rape, robbery, and assault. However, it is the property crimes that one should be concerned about; there are 859 burglaries per 100,000 people, as well as 956 car thefts per 100,000 people.

Closing

The worst neighborhoods in California may not look ugly and run down; the state is too beautiful for that. However, while the best parts of the state have all the successful people, these areas have many poor and hopeless people, many of who turn to crime.