F
123%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
121%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
124%
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 peopleSonora/100k peopleCalifornia/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime261n/a (estimate)5,1942,8432,324
Murder0n/a0.05.76.3
Rape7n/a139.337.440.0
Robbery2n/a39.8123.566.1
Assault32n/a636.8332.8268.2
Violent crime41n/a (estimate)816500370
Burglary31n/a616.9371.9269.8
Theft166n/a3,303.51,499.31,401.9
Vehicle theft23n/a457.7471.9282.7
Property crime220n/a (estimate)4,3782,3431,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Sonora, CA

The Sonora crime rates are 123.5% higher than the national average. There are two main categories of crime - violent crime and property crime. Violent crime consists of murder, rape, robbery and assault, while property crimes include burglary, theft and vehicle theft. There were a total of 41 violent crimes in Sonora (816 per 100,000 people), which is 120.6% higher than the national average and there were a total of 220 property crimes (4378 per 100,000 residents) which is 124% higher than average.

With a total of 5194 crimes per 100,000 people, the Sonora crime rates stand at 123.48 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 Sonora, 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.

With a violent crime rate of 816 crimes per 100,000 residents, Sonora is known as one of the most dangerous cities in the United States. In fact, Sonora ranks in the bottom 10% of all cities that reported violent crime last year. This translates into a 1 in 123 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime. Keep in mind that some areas will be safer than others and this doesn't necessarily mean that the entire city suffers from a high violent crime rate.

During the most recently reported crime year, Sonora experienced a total of 0 reported murders. This statistic paints it as a beacon of security when it comes to severe violent crimes. Such an achievement not only instills a profound sense of security for its residents but also sets a high standard for other communities striving to create similarly secure environments. It underscores the area as a place where safety is a top priority, enhancing its appeal as a desirable location to live and thrive.

Sonora has some of the highest property crime rates in the country with 4378 crimes per 100,000 people - this ranks in the bottom 10% of all American cities that reported crime. Your chance of being a victim of property crime in Sonora is 1 in 23, which is far higher than the national average.

Recently, vehicle thefts have seen an upward trend across the United States, and Sonora ranks among the cities with the highest vehicle theft rates in the country. Last year, there were 23 vehicle thefts, amounting to 458 stolen vehicles per 100,000 residents. This places Sonora 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 219.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Sonora?

AreaVibes has conducted polls asking local residents if they feel safe living in Sonora. Based on the results of the surveys (30 responses), 37% of people felt that there was very little crime in Sonora and felt safe walking alone at night. While 63% of people felt that it was not a safe place to live and did not feel safe walking alone at night.

Is Sonora a Safe Place to Live?

Determining whether Sonora is a place to live may not always yield a simple answer, given the city's varying safety levels across different areas. Nonetheless, comprehending the city's overall crime rate can be a valuable asset. In broad terms, Sonora has an overall crime rate that is 123% higher than the national average. When we take a look at crime on a daily basis, this translates into 0.72 daily occurrences, comprising 0.11 violent crimes and 0.6 property crimes. Scrutinizing these statistics provides a foundation for a more informed assessment of the suitability of Sonora as a potential place to establish residency.

Has Crime in Sonora Increased Since Last Year?

In the most recent crime report, year-over-year crime rates in Sonora has decreased by 10.6%. Examining the change in crime rates from one year to the next provides valuable insights into the evolving safety landscape of Sonora, aiding residents in assessing whether it is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live. These crime rates are categorized into two primary groups: violent and property crimes. Year-over-year, violent crime has increased by 5.1%, while property crime has decreased by 13%. This comprehensive analysis offers potential residents essential information for making informed decisions about whether or not Sonora is a safe place to live.

Potential Causes for Crime in Sonora

In Sonora, the current unemployment rate stands at 4.2%, diverging from the national average of 4.7%. The availability of job opportunities is a pivotal factor influencing unemployment and underemployment rates. Communities where individuals contend with limited employment prospects or a preponderance of low-wage positions may witness elevated rates of joblessness and income inadequacy, which can contribute to heightened crime levels driven by financial insecurity. Conversely, areas characterized by robust employment rates often experience a reduction in overall Sonora crime rates.

Sonora has a population density of 1527.9 people per square mile, contrasting with the national average of 90.6 people per square mile. High population density cities are often large urban hubs teeming with diverse economic opportunities. Within these environments, income disparities can become pronounced, leading to higher poverty levels. This economic divide may contribute to an uptick in property crimes and, occasionally, violent crimes. In contrast, areas characterized by low population density typically exhibit lower Sonora crime rates.

Elevated rental costs can generate economic strain for both individuals and families, particularly those with restricted financial means. When a substantial proportion of one's income is allocated to housing costs, it often leaves limited resources for fulfilling other crucial necessities such as groceries, healthcare and education. This financial pressure can fuel desperation, potentially prompting individuals to resort to criminal actions, including theft or fraud, as a means of coping with their financial hardships. In Sonora, the average monthly rent stands at $963, while the national average is $949 per month.

Sonora crime map



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

  • Sonora crime rates are 123% higher than the national average
  • Violent crimes in Sonora are 121% higher than the national average
  • In Sonora you have a 1 in 20 chance of becoming a victim of crime
  • Sonora is safer than 5% of the cities in the United States
  • Year over year crime in Sonora has decreased by 14%

Sonora, CA Crime Quiz

     

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        Daily Crime In Sonora (per 100,000 people)

        The number of daily crimes per 100,000 residents in Sonora, California is displayed in the graph above. As you can see, the daily crimes for Sonora are 1.83 times more than the California average and 2.23 times more than the national level. Daily violent crimes in Sonora are 1.63 times more than than California and 2.21 times more than the national mean. While daily property crimes in Sonora are 1.87 times more than than California and 2.24 times more than the national average.

        How Safe is Sonora (higher is better)

        When comparing the safety of Sonora to every other city in California, as well as the entirety of the United States, is Sonora safe? The gauges above illustrate that Sonora is safer than 7% of every city located within California along with 5% of the all the cities located in the United States. The results of these graphs are created after analyzing each of the cities in California and in the United States as a whole. As a result, Sonora, CA is ranked below average when compared to the rest of the US cities.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Sonora

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Sonora is 1 in 123
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Sonora is 1 in 23
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Sonora is 1 in 20
        Are you curious to know the likelihood of suffering from a crime in Sonora? If you reside in Sonora, the likelihood that you will become a victim of a violent crime is 1 in 123. Violent crimes include: murder, sexual assault, robbery, and physical assault. There is a 1 in 23 change that you will become a victim of a property crime. These sorts of crimes against personal property include: burglary, theft, and auto theft. In total, the likelihood of being victimized by a crime in Sonora, is 1 in 20.

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

        An ideal indicator of whether Sonora 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 Sonora has increased by 2% and the rate of property crime in Sonora has decreased by 16%. The total crime rate in Sonora has decreased by 14% year to year.

        Sonora police department

        Item Sonora California National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)1651,506558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents3.33.63.3
        There are a total of 16 Sonora police officers. This results in 3.3 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 9.8% less than the California average and 0.2% greater 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
        Forest Meadows, CA1,3241798371,016
        Murphys, CA1,9441888791,067
        Twain Harte, CA2,5022139971,210
        Cedar Ridge, CA1,2672141,0011,215
        Pine Mountain Lake, CA2,8012181,0221,240
        East Sonora, CA2,6722231,0451,267
        Soulsbyville, CA2,0632481,1631,411
        Sonora, CA4,8328164,3785,194

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Bluefield, VA4,8323234,9635,285
        Hunters Creek Village, TX4,834112597710
        Porter, IN4,835190323514
        Island Park, NY4,8352269061,132
        Devine, TX4,829671,8741,941
        Sonora, CA4,8328164,3785,194
        Source: The Sonora, 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.