F
44%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
128%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
28%
Property crime NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects the 2022 calendar year and was released from the FBI in September, 2023; this is the most current data available.
StatisticReportedincidents/100k peopleAtwater/100k peopleCalifornia/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime1,076n/a (estimate)3,3462,8432,324
Murder5n/a15.55.76.3
Rape18n/a56.037.440.0
Robbery39n/a121.3123.566.1
Assault209n/a649.9332.8268.2
Violent crime271n/a (estimate)843500370
Burglary90n/a279.9371.9269.8
Theft635n/a1,974.71,499.31,401.9
Vehicle theft80n/a248.8471.9282.7
Property crime805n/a (estimate)2,5032,3431,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Atwater, CA

Looking at the most recent crime report, the crime rate in Atwater is 44% higher than the national average. These crimes fall into two primary categories: violent and property. Violent crimes encompass murder, rape, robbery and assault, while property crimes involve theft, vehicle theft and burglary. In Atwater, there were 271 reported violent crimes, equivalent to 843 per 100,000 individuals, 127.9% higher than the national average. Additionally, there were 805 property crimes, amounting to 2503 per 100,000 residents, 28.1% higher than the U.S. average.

Atwater ranks among the most perilous cities in the United States, bearing a violent crime rate of 843 per 100,000 people, positioning it within the lowest 10% of all U.S. cities reporting crime statistics. The odds of falling victim to violent crime in Atwater stand at 1 in every 119 residents, emphasizing the pressing need for enhanced safety measures and community engagement to address this significant concern.

While murder rates in the United States have generally declined since 1990, recent years have seen an unfortunate uptick. Atwater stands out with one of the nation's highest murder rates among cities reporting crime data. In Atwater, a total of 5 murders were reported, equating to 16 murders per 100,000 residents. This statistic underscores the challenges facing the area in terms of severe violent crime and the importance of ongoing efforts to enhance safety and security within the community.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Atwater?

AreaVibes conducted surveys inquiring about the safety perception of Atwater residents. Out of the respondents (17 in total), 24% expressed a strong sense of security, believing that crime rates in Atwater were low, and they felt comfortable walking alone at night. Conversely, 76% held a contrasting viewpoint, expressing concerns about safety in the area and feeling uncomfortable walking alone during the nighttime hours.

Is Atwater a Safe Place to Live?

Before you decide to relocate, it’s always good to ask yourself “Is Atwater a safe place to live?” Although the answer might not be that simple, as some areas are safer than others, getting a good feel for the overall rate of crime can definitely be helpful. Overall, the Atwater crime rate is 44% higher than the national average. If we break that down daily, that translates into 2.95 crimes per day - 0.74 violent crimes and 2.21 property crimes.

Has Crime in Atwater Increased Since Last Year?

Examining year-over-year crime data provides insights into short-term trends with regards to the crime activity in Atwater. This analysis involves comparing crime rates from one year to the next, enabling the identification of patterns and fluctuations in crime. Such information proves invaluable to residents seeking to make well-informed decisions about their choice of residence. In the most recent year, compared to the previous one, total crime in Atwater has increased by 3.4%. Specifically, violent crime has increased by 78.3%, while property crime has increased by 9.5%. This data empowers individuals with a clearer understanding of the evolving safety landscape in Atwater.

Potential Causes for Crime in Atwater

The economic prosperity of a city's inhabitants exerts substantial influence on crime stats. Elevated poverty rates and income inequality can precipitate heightened criminal activity, as individuals may turn to illicit means to fulfill their fundamental requirements. While lower poverty rates could lead to lower Atwater crime rates. In Atwater, the poverty rate stands at 17.7%, diverging from the national average of 15.1%.

Escalating cost of living expenses, encompassing exorbitant housing costs, grocery and healthcare expenditures, can induce financial strain on individuals and families, particularly those with limited financial resources. Such economic stress may propel individuals towards criminal activities, including theft or burglary, as a means of addressing their financial hardships. Conversely, cities characterized by a lower cost of living may alleviate economic pressures, potentially resulting in a reduced crime rate. In Atwater, the cost of living is 4.72% higher than the national average, reflecting a more affordable economic environment that could contribute to a decrease in crime levels.

The median home price in Atwater is $251,100, compared to the national average of $184,700. High housing costs can lead to financial stress for residents. When individuals struggle to make ends meet due to expensive housing, they may be more inclined to engage in criminal activities to address their financial difficulties, such as theft or fraud. Communities with stable housing environments tend to foster stronger social bonds and community engagement. This can lead to increased vigilance and cooperation among residents, which can deter criminal behavior.

Atwater crime map



The Atwater crime map provides a detailed overview of all crimes in Atwater as reported by the local law enforcement agencies. Based on the color coded legend above, the crime map outlines the areas with lower crime compared to the areas with higher crime. The Atwater crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the Atwater crime map does not always indicate that it is a dangerous area for its residents. Areas on the heat map could be inflated if they are located in high traffic areas like airports, sports centers or large parks. Other areas on the heat map could see increased crime rates if they are located in major tourist areas like the downtown core.
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Compare Atwater, CA Crime

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      Crime Quick Facts

      • Atwater crime rates are 44% higher than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Atwater are 128% higher than the national average
      • In Atwater you have a 1 in 30 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Atwater is safer than 7% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Atwater has decreased by 5%

      Atwater, CA Crime Quiz

         

        Safest Places to Live in and Around Atwater

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        How would you rate the amount of crime in Atwater?
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        See all Atwater poll results

        Daily Crime In Atwater (per 100,000 people)

        The graph above looks at the comparison of crimes committed in Atwater on a daily basis (per 100,000 people) to crimes committed throughout the state of California and the USA. According to the latest crime statistics, daily crimes in Atwater (which include property crimes as well as violent crimes), when compared to California, are 1.18 times more than the state average and 1.44 times more than than national average. Violent crimes committed in Atwater on a daily basis are 1.69 times more than than California average and 2.28 times more than the average nationwide. Daily property crime rates in Atwater are 1.07 times more than the daily state average and 1.28 times more than the daily national numbers.

        How Safe is Atwater (higher is better)

        Is Atwater safe in comparison to other cities in the state of California as well as in comparison to the rest of the areas across the United States. Using the gauges above, which compare crime in Atwater to other cities in the state and across the country, Atwater is 11% safer than other cities of California and 7% safer than other cities in the nation. Atwater has a ranks above average in comparison to other cities in the country.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Atwater

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Atwater is 1 in 119
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Atwater is 1 in 40
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Atwater is 1 in 30
        Are you worried about becoming a crime victim? In Atwater, your chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime is 1 in 119. Types of violent crimes may include assault, robbery, rape, or murder. You also have a 1 in 40 chance of being the victim of a property crime such as vehicle theft, personal property theft, and burglary. Your overall risk of becoming a crime victim in Atwater is 1 in 30.

        Year Over Year Crime In Atwater (per 100,000 people)

        The year over year change in crime per 100,000 people helps to understand whether crime in Atwater, CA is on the rise or declining. The violent crime rate in Atwater has increased by 65%, while the property crime rate in Atwater has decreased by 16% year over year. Summing up the numbers, Atwater has decreased by 5% with regards to total crimes year over year.

        Atwater police department

        Item Atwater California National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)4051,506558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents1.43.63.3
        There are a total of 40 Atwater police officers. This results in 1.4 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 61.7% less than the California average and 57.4% less than the National average.

        Sex offenders in California

        State Total offenders California /100K National /100K
        California79,891232266
        There are a total of 79,891 sex offenders in California. This yields a total of 232 sex offenders in California per 100,000 residents which is 13% less than the national average.

        Nearby Cities With Low Crime Rates

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        McSwain, CA4,4292721,2761,549
        Livingston, CA14,3924831,6582,141
        Denair, CA5,7024432,0772,520
        Hilmar-Irwin, CA5,9375222,4482,970
        Turlock, CA72,7155752,8693,443
        Merced, CA84,0818012,7423,543
        Franklin CDP (Sacramento County), CA1066463,0283,674
        Atwater, CA30,3368432,5033,346

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        North Tonawanda, NY30,3381581,0641,222
        Cibolo, TX30,3331321,4641,595
        Poughkeepsie, NY30,3416151,8452,459
        Garner, NC30,3454573,4723,929
        Milford Mill, MD30,3555362,2012,736
        Atwater, CA30,3368432,5033,346
        Source: The Atwater, CA crime data displayed above is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reports for the year of 2022. The crime report encompasses more than 18,000 city and state law enforcement agencies reporting data on property and violent crimes. The uniform crime reports program represents approximately 309 million American residents, which results in 98% coverage of metropolitan statistical areas.