The 15 Most Dangerous Neighborhoods in Sacramento: 2022's Ultimate List

California has a reputation that tends to precede it when it comes to crime. We’ve all heard about the high crime rates in places like Compton, Oakland, and even Los Angeles. But when it comes to Sacramento? This city never quite has the sordid crime reputation that other cities in California tend to have.

Sacramento might be overshadowed by the pop culture references to other cities, but that doesn’t mean people don’t have reason to be concerned here. If you ask almost any local, Sacramento has the potential to be a beautiful tourist city or the city of your worst nightmares. What you get from it is all based on where you choose to go.

Based on FBI statistics, Parker Homes, Richmond Grove, Midtown, Gardenland, and South Hagginwood are the most dangerous neighborhoods in Sacramento. When it comes to violent and property crimes, these cities rank highest per capita consistently, with between 164 – 409% higher crime occurrences than all of the other neighborhoods. Other areas to avoid include Del Paso Park and Wills Acres.

Though Sacramento isn’t exactly famous for having a high crime rate, there are still areas within the city’s limits that are dangerous. In fact, Sacramento is one of the few cities in America that has seen an increase in crime over the past couple of years. While tourist areas are considered to be safe, the overall city itself has been gaining a serious reputation for being troublesome.

A lot of your success with the city will depend on choosing to stick to touristy sections of the city and knowing which areas to avoid. However, that alone might not be enough to keep you safe. Sacramento is regularly cited as one of the most dangerous cities in California by locals and law enforcement.

If you choose to go here, make sure that you stay aware of your surroundings. Do not go in areas that are prone to high crime rates, and if you have to go there, make sure to carry pepper spray with you. If you choose to move to Sacramento, we strongly suggest setting aside cash for a home alarm kit. After all, property crimes here are common enough to warrant it.

You might be wondering how much worse it can get, considering the overall high ratings of danger in and around Sacramento. You’re not alone in this. But, according to the most recent statistics provided by Areavibes, the most dangerous neighborhood in Sacramento is Parker Homes.

This small housing complex has a jaw-dropping violent crime rate that’s 1,146 percent above the national average. Even if you’re in the rougher parts of Compton, you won’t find a neighborhood that has similar ratings. To put things in perspective, you have a 1 in 22 chance of being a violent crime victim here.

In the 2020 calendar year, there have been reports of 5,236 violent crimes and 1,930 property crimes. These crimes include the worst such as murder and rape. This is among a population of 243. Yes, only 243 homes which makes this an extremely high crime rate.

According to FBI statistics, there were a total of 11,206 reported crimes in Richmond Grove during the 2020 calendar year. These crimes included murder, assault, rape, grand theft auto, burglary, and other property crimes.

Property crime far surpassed violent crime at 9,387 per 100,000 people. The violent crime came in at 1,819 cases per capita amongst a population of 1,399.

Nestled right in the heart of Sacramento, Midtown is one of the most well-known tourist spots in the city. While many people tend to associate this area with upscale dining, craft breweries, and gay bars, locals know that it’s not as pristine as it may appear to be. Truth be told, Midtown is absolutely wild with crime.

This section of Sacramento has a violent crime rate that’s 441 percent higher than the national average. Gang activity, rampant homelessness, drug addiction, and a somewhat sluggish police force are what many people blame. However, a large portion of it could also be ascribed to the high poverty rates that plague the region.

The total number of reported crimes, 10,933, includes murder, rape, and assault, including the most heinous. This number also reflects property-based crimes as well. There were 2,271 violent crimes that contributed to the total. The property crimes stood for 8,662 incidents.

If the statistics on this town are already sending a chill down your spine, hang onto your boots. Gardenland is only number six on this list, and it has four times the national average for violent crimes. According to the most recent crime statistics by the FBI, Gardenland locals have a 1 in 10 chance of being a crime victim just by being in the area.

The property crimes in this area run the gamut from vehicle theft to vandalism, to grand larceny, to things along the line of serial shoplifting. People who value their possessions are advised to get a home security system that’s highly adept, lest they find their car driving away without them.

There were a total of 10,246 total reported crimes for Portsmouth, a population of 3,078. These crimes included both property and violent crimes alike.

There were 2,170 violent crimes and 8,076 property crimes per capita for the 2020 calendar year. While this doesn’t seem like much if it were in a larger city, over 3/4 of the residents fell victim to these horrible crimes.

Don’t be fooled by the down-home name. South Hagginwood is a rough area. Even when compared to other parts of Sacramento, South Hagginwood has a 180 percent higher crime rate than the surrounding areas. When you look at the national crime averages, this neighborhood has a shockingly high violent crime rate that’s 384 percent higher than the national average.

Unsurprisingly, locals are pretty fed up with the crime rates and have been begging police to take their calls more seriously. Most people in this neighborhood do not want to walk around at night. If you find yourself in the area, we strongly suggest that you travel in groups and keep an eye on your surroundings.

This neighborhood had 9,066 total crimes reported in 2020, with a population of 4,864. These crimes included everything from murder and rape to auto theft.

Of this total, there were 2,027 cases of violent crime. However, more than double the amount of property-based crimes, which made up 7,039 of the total.

Del Paso Park made it to number four on our list because the crime rate here is 221 percent higher than in a typical neighborhood near Sacramento. And really, that statistic makes it look better than the raw data would. Violent crime in this neighborhood is 4.5 times the national average, and property crimes are almost twice as high.

Locals who have the misfortune of living in Del Paso Park often learn that they need to be wary of others the hard way. A recent study revealed that a typical Del Paso Park local has a 1 in 12 chance of being a victim of crime. The chance of being a violent crime victim is 1 in 48, well above what anyone should be willing to tolerate.

According to FBI statistics, there were a total of 8,795 reported crimes in the 2020 calendar year. These crimes reflect everything from murder and rape to grand theft, auto, and property destruction.

Property crime outweighed violent crime in 2020. There were a total of 6,471 property crime incidents reported. The violent crime was still high, at 2,324 per capita in a population of 1,232.

Wills Acres sounds like such a peaceful name, and unfortunately, this neighborhood is anything but peaceful. This neighborhood has a shockingly high violent crime rate right off the top of the bat. To put things in perspective, Wills Acres has a higher violent crime rate than Hartford, Connecticut—the most dangerous city in Connecticut.

With an overall crime rate that’s 232 percent above the national average and a violent crime rate that’s 343 percent above the norm, it’s understandable why many locals don’t want to walk alone at night. Considering that the schools often struggle with gang violence and juvenile delinquency, this is one neighborhood that’s not on the up-and-up.

According to FBI statistics, there were 1,862 violent crimes and 6,863 property crimes in Wills Acres. These crimes included everything from murder and assault to auto theft and burglaries.

The total reported amount of crime for the 2020 calendar year was 8,725. In a population of 1,025, that is a significant amount of crime. There is 154% higher crime here than in any other city in Ohio.

There were a total of 6,203 total reported crimes for Portsmouth, a population of 810. These crimes included both property and violent crimes alike.

There were 1,571 violent crimes and 4,632 property crimes per capita for the 2020 calendar year. Most of the residents fell victim to these horrible crimes.

Upper Land Park is a neighborhood that is plagued by a wide range of issues, most of them related to crime. Gang activity from major sets like the Bloods and Crips is commonplace here, which is why violent crime is through the roof. High unemployment rates and high poverty rates could be the main reason as to why property crime is so darned high too.

Like with South Hagginwood, the violent crime rate here tops 384 percent of the national average. Much of this is due to both gang activity and drug use. You have a 1 in 18 chance of being a crime victim here, so we don’t suggest hanging out here at night.

According to FBI statistics, there were a total of 5,861 reported crimes in Springfield during the 2020 calendar year. These crimes included murder, assault, rape, grand theft auto, burglary, and other property crimes.

Property crime far surpassed violent crime at 3,831 per 100,000 people. The violent crime came in at 2,030 cases per capita amongst a population of 3,917.

Arden-Arcade is in the 14th percentile for safety, which means that 86% of cities are safer while 14% are more hazardous. Only the proper boundaries of Arden-Arcade are considered in this research.

During a typical year, the crime rate in Arden-Arcade is 52.70 per 1,000 residents. Arden-Arcade residents generally perceive the city’s southeast section to be the safest.

The total number of reported crimes, 14,447, includes murder, rape, and assault, including the most heinous. This number also reflects property-based crimes as well which equals 10,335 incidents. There were 4,112 violent crimes that contributed to the total.

Rosemont is in the 44th percentile for safety, which means that 56 percent of cities are safer while 44 percent are riskier. During a typical year, the crime rate in Rosemont is 29.32 per 1,000 residents. Rosemont residents often believe the city’s southeast section to be the safest.

Rosemont had 3,594 reported crimes total for the 2020 calendar year. These crimes include everything from murder to auto and property thefts.

Of the 3,594 total crimes, there were only 615 violent ones reported. However, this is among a population of 23,081. There were 2,978 property crimes per capita to make up the total.

With a crime rate that’s 163 percent higher than the rest of Sacramento, Johnson Heights is one of those neighborhoods that have more stigma than it knows what to do with.

Sadly, that stigma is rightfully earned. Terrible schools, an unemployment rate of 7.6 percent prior to COVID-19’s crisis, and an exceptionally low household income of $33,750 are what make people desperate here.

In the 2020 calendar year, there have been reports of 1,905 violent crimes and 2,808 property crimes. These crimes include the worst such as murder and rape. They also include property-based crimes, such as burglary and auto theft.

When it comes to the most dangerous neighborhoods in Sacramento, most locals already know better than to try to go to Point West. Due to the violent crime rate being almost eight times the national average, many people are terrified of going here at night. Robberies, assaults, shootings, and rapes are reported on an alarmingly-regular basis.

The fact is, you have a 1 in 30 chance of being a victim of a violent crime in this neighborhood. Those odds are not good, even if you’re accustomed to being in dangerous areas.

Overall, a typical local will have a 1 in 8 chance of being a crime victim. Considering that addiction, homelessness, gang activity, and almost every other major crime contributor is here, it’s a bad idea to be here.

Point West had 3,335 reported crimes total for the 2020 calendar year. These crimes include everything from murder to auto and property thefts.

Of the 3,335 total crimes, there were only 680 violent ones reported. However, this is among a population of 1,360. There were 2,655 property crimes per capita to make up the total.

Wait, a corporation?! Being the center of criminal activity?! It’s true, and the Natomas Corporate Center also happens to be a residential portion of Sacramento’s layout. (Trippy, right?) In many ways, the Natomas Corporate Center is a very odd juxtaposition when it comes to its high crime rate and excellent school systems.

Though the schools are good, there’s a lot of cultural problems in this area that lead to huge failures in public safety. As a result, many people who live near this area wouldn’t dare go there during the daytime, let alone the night. If you choose to risk going out in this area, we strongly suggest getting some mace.

According to FBI statistics, there were 321 violent crimes and 1,229 property crimes in Natomas Corporate Center. These crimes included everything from murder and assault to auto theft and burglaries.

The total reported amount of crime for the 2020 calendar year was 1,550. In a population of 672, that is a significant amount of crime. There is 102% higher crime here than in any other city in Ohio.

Glen Elder had 1,807 total crimes reported in 2020, with a population of 2,867. These crimes included everything from murder and rape to auto theft.

Of this total, there were 798 cases of violent crime. However, there were more property-based crimes, which made up 1,009 of the total.