Bakersfield Crime Rate | Stats, Reports | Safe Neighborhoods

Last Updated on: 10th September 2025, 02:03 am

Bakersfield, located in Kern County, California, is a city known for its growing economy, agricultural base, and energy sector. With a population of over 400,000, it ranks among California’s top 10 most populous cities. Despite its growth and development, safety remains a major concern for residents and prospective movers alike.

Crime data, perception, and public safety resources are essential for understanding how safe Bakersfield really is. This article explores the Bakersfield crime rate using the most recent statistics, comparisons to state and national averages, and insight into the city’s safest and most dangerous neighborhoods. Whether you’re a resident, visitor, or planning a move, this guide will help you assess Bakersfield’s overall safety and crime outlook.

Understanding Crime Rate Metrics

Before diving into numbers, it’s important to understand how crime is reported and analyzed.

Crime rate is typically expressed as the number of reported crimes per 100,000 people annually.

There are two main categories:

• Violent Crime – includes homicide, robbery, rape, and aggravated assault.
• Property Crime – includes burglary, theft, vehicle theft, and arson.

Data Sources:

• FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR)
• Bakersfield Police Department
• NeighborhoodScout
• AreaVibes
• CrimeGrade.org

These sources provide transparency through crime maps, charts, and historical trends, helping assess not only crime frequency but also the types and locations of incidents.

Bakersfield Crime Rate Overview (2024)

Source: AreaVibes, NeighborhoodScout, FBI UCR (2023-2024 reports)

• Bakersfield’s total crime rate is nearly double the national average.
• It is rated safer than only ~6% of U.S. cities.
• The violent crime rate is more than twice the national average.
• The property crime rate is also significantly elevated compared to state and national norms.

Violent Crime in Bakersfield

Bakersfield faces high levels of violent crime compared to many other California cities.

Breakdown of Violent Crime (2023 FBI Data):

• Aggravated assault makes up the bulk of violent crimes in Bakersfield.
• Robberies and gun-related incidents have increased over the last two years.
• Police initiatives like Operation Safe Streets (OSS) and gang task forces are aimed at curbing these trends.

Property Crime in Bakersfield

Property crimes dominate Bakersfield’s criminal activity, contributing significantly to the city’s overall crime index.

Property Crime Statistics:

• Vehicle theft is alarmingly high in Bakersfield – nearly 2.5 times the national average.
• Common hotspots include parking lots, apartment complexes, and shopping centers.

• Law enforcement encourages residents to use vehicle security systems and report suspicious behavior.

Crime Trends Over Time (2018–2023)

• The crime rate has shown a slight but consistent increase in the past five years.

• Efforts by Bakersfield PD to increase community policing and install more surveillance are in progress.

• In 2023, body-worn cameras and real-time crime centers became part of law enforcement’s toolkit.

Safest Neighborhoods in Bakersfield

Despite citywide concerns, several Bakersfield neighborhoods have consistently lower crime rates.

Top 5 Safest Areas:

• These areas have higher income levels, HOAs, and increased patrol visibility.

• Families and professionals prefer these regions due to their safety reputation and access to amenities.

Most Dangerous Areas in Bakersfield

Crime is not evenly distributed. Certain neighborhoods experience significantly higher crime rates.

Top 5 Areas With Higher Crime:

• East and Southeast Bakersfield report the most violent crimes.
• Gang-related activities and drug trafficking are common concerns.
• Law enforcement often targets these neighborhoods with special crime reduction units.

Bakersfield Crime Map

Crime mapping platforms provide visual data on crime distribution:

Top Tools:

• CrimeGrade.org: Heatmaps based on FBI reports.
• CityProtect: Incident-by-incident data from Bakersfield PD.
• NeighborhoodScout: Custom crime risk ratings by neighborhood.

These tools allow users to:

• View live crime updates
• Track specific crime types
• Compare areas when choosing where to live or invest

Law Enforcement & Community Efforts

Bakersfield Police Department (BPD) continues to respond to the city’s growing safety needs.

Key Initiatives:

• Real Time Crime Center – Tracks active crimes through surveillance and analytics.
• Neighborhood Watch Programs – Partnering with residents for proactive crime prevention.
• Hot Spot Policing – Targeting high-crime areas with increased patrols.
• Public Safety Transparency – Monthly crime dashboards and open data access.

These initiatives aim to not only reduce crime but also improve public trust and response efficiency.

Is Bakersfield Safe? Final Verdict

Pros:

• Several low-crime neighborhoods
• Active law enforcement and tech investment
• Affordable housing attracts families and businesses

Cons:

• High violent and property crime rates in specific areas
• Vehicle theft is a major issue
• Overall crime rate significantly above national average

Final Comments

Bakersfield, CA, has a mixed safety profile. While the overall crime rate is above average, certain neighborhoods offer safe, stable environments. For prospective movers, research and neighborhood-specific data are essential. Residents should remain vigilant, use available safety resources, and stay informed on public safety updates

However, crime is not uniform across the city. There are neighborhoods and districts in Bakersfield that boast low crime rates, strong community ties, and proactive neighborhood watch programs. Areas such as Seven Oaks, The Oaks, and parts of Northwest Bakersfield are often regarded as safer places to live. In contrast, regions with higher reported incidents, like portions of East Bakersfield and downtown are typically the focus of increased policing and community safety initiatives..