Violent
Property
Total
Bakersfield, CA Crime Rate & Safety
FBI-verified crime statistics for 2024 | Population: 416,120
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Bakersfield, California Safe?
Bakersfield has a safety score of 45/100 (Higher Crime Than Average). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 3,026.1 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Bakersfield ranks #206 out of 264 cities in California and #2404 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 19th percentile for safety — with higher crime than 81% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in Bakersfield is motor vehicle theft, at 673.1 per 100K — 1.9x the national average. Conversely, larceny-theft is relatively low at just 0.8x the national rate.
Year over year, Bakersfield's total crime rate decreased by 28.2%, with violent crime declining 37%.
Bakersfield Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 2,315 | 556.3 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 28 | 6.7 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 170 | 40.9 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 523 | 125.7 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 1,587 | 381.4 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 10,277 | 2,469.7 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 2,237 | 537.6 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 5,239 | 1,259.0 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 2,801 | 673.1 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Bakersfield vs California Average
How does Bakersfield's crime rate compare to the California state average?
| Metric | Bakersfield | California Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 556.3 | 518.0 | +7.4% |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,469.7 | 2,161.3 | +14.3% |
| Murder Rate | 6.7 | 4.4 | +53.0% |
| Total Crime Rate | 3,026.1 | 2,679.3 | +12.9% |
Bakersfield Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Bakersfield, California.
| Year | Population | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 416,120 | 3,026.1 | 556.3 | 2,469.7 |
| 2023 | 413,409 | 4,212.3 | 883.6 | 3,328.7 |
| 2022 | 411,873 | 4,526.4 | 548.7 | 3,977.7 |
| 2020 | 388,265 | 4,539.7 | 516.9 | 4,022.8 |
| 2019 | 388,080 | 4,597.0 | 455.1 | 4,141.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bakersfield, California safe?
Bakersfield has a safety score of 45/100. With a total crime rate of 3,026.1 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Bakersfield is about average compared to the national average.
What is the crime rate in Bakersfield, California?
According to FBI data for 2024, Bakersfield has a violent crime rate of 556.3 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 2,469.7 per 100,000 residents.
How does Bakersfield compare to the national average?
Bakersfield's total crime rate of 3,026.1 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The city has a population of 416,120.
What types of crime are most common in Bakersfield?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Bakersfield include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Bakersfield safe to visit?
Like any city, Bakersfield has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 45/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.