F
86%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
134%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
76%
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 peopleFresno/100k peopleCalifornia/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime23,594n/a (estimate)4,3142,8432,324
Murder61n/a11.25.76.3
Rape242n/a44.337.440.0
Robbery963n/a176.1123.566.1
Assault3,466n/a633.8332.8268.2
Violent crime4,732n/a (estimate)865500370
Burglary3,980n/a727.8371.9269.8
Theft11,748n/a2,148.21,499.31,401.9
Vehicle theft3,134n/a573.1471.9282.7
Property crime18,862n/a (estimate)3,4492,3431,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Fresno, CA

Looking at the most recent crime report, the crime rate in Fresno is 85.6% 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 Fresno, there were 4732 reported violent crimes, equivalent to 865 per 100,000 individuals, 134% higher than the national average. Additionally, there were 18862 property crimes, amounting to 3449 per 100,000 residents, 76.5% higher than the U.S. average.

With a total of 4314 crimes per 100,000 people, the Fresno crime rates stand at 85.63 higher than the national average. Consequently, the area grapples with one of the nation's highest total crime rates. Addressing this challenge is crucial for enhancing the safety and livability in Fresno, making it a priority to reduce crime through community engagement, effective law enforcement, and collaborative efforts to secure a better future for residents and prospective residents.

Fresno ranks among the most perilous cities in the United States, bearing a violent crime rate of 865 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 Fresno stand at 1 in every 116 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. Fresno stands out with one of the nation's highest murder rates among cities reporting crime data. In Fresno, a total of 61 murders were reported, equating to 11 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.

Recently, vehicle thefts have seen an upward trend across the United States, and Fresno ranks among the cities with the highest vehicle theft rates in the country. Last year, there were 3134 vehicle thefts, amounting to 573 stolen vehicles per 100,000 residents. This places Fresno within the worst 10% of all cities, indicating that 90% of cities fare better in terms of vehicle theft rates. The likelihood of your vehicle being stolen stands at 1 in 175.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Fresno?

AreaVibes conducted surveys inquiring about the safety perception of Fresno residents. Out of the respondents (223 in total), 19% expressed a strong sense of security, believing that crime rates in Fresno were low, and they felt comfortable walking alone at night. Conversely, 81% held a contrasting viewpoint, expressing concerns about safety in the area and feeling uncomfortable walking alone during the nighttime hours.

Is Fresno a Safe Place to Live?

Is Fresno a safe place to live? While the answer may not be straightforward due to variations in safety levels across the city, gaining an understanding of the overall crime rate can prove to be advantageous. In general, Fresno has a crime rate that is higher than the national average by 86%. Breaking this down on a daily basis, it translates to 64.64 daily incidents, encompassing 12.96 violent crimes and 51.68 property crimes. Evaluating these statistics can aid in forming a more informed perspective on the safety of Fresno as a potential place to call home.

Has Crime in Fresno Increased Since Last Year?

Year-over-year crime data allows us to analyze short-term trends in crime activity. By comparing crime rates from one year to the next, we can identify patterns and shifts in Fresno crime rates. This information can be invaluable for residents looking to make informed decisions on where to live. When comparing the most recent year to the previous year, total crime in Fresno has increased by 17.8% year over year. Violent crime has increased by 32.9% and property crime has increased by 14.5%.

Fresno Neighborhood Crime Rates

The Fresno area comprises a diverse array of over 12 distinct neighborhoods, each exhibiting a unique crime rate influenced by location and various socioeconomic factors. Generally, neighborhoods situated in proximity to the city center, characterized by higher population density, often report elevated crime rates. Conversely, the outlying neighborhoods, marked by lower population density and reduced unemployment and poverty rates, tend to experience lower crime incidence. Some neighborhoods with lower crime rates include: South Growth Area, Woodward Park and North Growth Area which foster a strong sense of safety. Conversely, neighborhoods such as Central, Edison and Fresno-High exhibit crime rates above the average, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive research when evaluating different Fresno neighborhoods, given their considerable variation in crime rates.

Potential Causes for Crime in Fresno

Limited employment opportunities or a prevalence of low-wage jobs can result in higher rates of unemployment and underemployment. Regions where individuals grapple with joblessness or meager wages may exhibit greater vulnerability to an uptick in crime due to financial instability. While areas that have strong employment rates, often will see a reduction in overall crime. Fresno, for instance, reports an unemployment rate of 5.9%, which differs from the national average of 4.7%.

In Fresno, 72.1% of residents have successfully graduated from high school, whereas the national average stands at 83%. The educational makeup of any city can exert a significant influence on crime rates. Typically, higher levels of educational attainment are associated with reduced crime rates, as they furnish individuals with improved employment prospects and viable alternatives to engaging in criminal activities. Conversely, communities characterized by lower educational achievement often grapple with higher crime rates, as limited opportunities may drive individuals towards criminal behavior.

The effectiveness of law enforcement and community policing initiatives can influence crime rates. A strong and collaborative relationship between the police and the community can deter criminal activity and improve safety. In Fresno, there are 1.85 police officers and civilians per 1,000 residents, compared to the national average of 3.25. The effectiveness of law enforcement often depends on community policing strategies that emphasize building trust and cooperation between the police and the community. It's not just about the number of officers but also how they engage with the community.

Fresno crime map



The Fresno crime map provides a detailed overview of all crimes in Fresno 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 Fresno crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the Fresno 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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Crime Quick Facts

  • Fresno crime rates are 86% higher than the national average
  • Violent crimes in Fresno are 134% higher than the national average
  • In Fresno you have a 1 in 24 chance of becoming a victim of crime
  • Fresno is safer than 5% of the cities in the United States
  • Year over year crime in Fresno has increased by 15%

Fresno, CA Crime Quiz

     

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        Daily Crime In Fresno (per 100,000 people)

        The graph above illustrates the number of daily crimes in Fresno, CA per 100,000 people. In Fresno, the total number of daily crimes is 1.52 times more than the California average and 1.86 times more than the national average. The number of daily violent crimes in Fresno is 1.73 times more than the California average and 2.34 times more than the national average. With regards to property crimes, Fresno has a daily crime rate that is 1.47 times more than the California average and 1.76 times more than the national average.

        How Safe is Fresno (higher is better)

        Is Fresno 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 Fresno to other cities in the state and across the country, Fresno is 8% safer than other cities of California and 5% safer than other cities in the nation. Fresno has a ranks below average in comparison to other cities in the country.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Fresno

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Fresno is 1 in 116
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Fresno is 1 in 29
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Fresno is 1 in 24
        Are you worried about becoming a crime victim? In Fresno, your chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime is 1 in 116. Types of violent crimes may include assault, robbery, rape, or murder. You also have a 1 in 29 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 Fresno is 1 in 24.

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

        An ideal indicator of whether Fresno is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live can be done by analyzing the year over year crime rates per 100,000 people. Year over year violent crime in Fresno has increased by 30% and the rate of property crime in Fresno has increased by 12%. The total crime rate in Fresno has increased by 15% year to year.

        Fresno police department

        Item Fresno California National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)93451,506558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents1.83.63.3
        There are a total of 934 Fresno police officers. This results in 1.8 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 48.9% less than the California average and 43.2% 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
        Calwa, CA2,3632811,3151,596
        Del Rey, CA1,2462811,3151,596
        Malaga, CA1,1682811,3151,596
        Biola, CA1,4402811,3151,596
        Easton, CA2,2242871,3451,631
        Sanger, CA26,7445331,1681,701
        Caruthers, CA2,2453011,4101,711
        Fresno, CA526,1478653,4494,314

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Mesa, AZ508,9184271,7702,197
        Tucson, AZ545,3407203,4314,151
        Sacramento, CA503,4829023,1674,069
        Atlanta, GA497,6428413,7484,589
        Albuquerque, NM560,4471,3804,7966,176
        Fresno, CA526,1478653,4494,314
        Source: The Fresno, 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.