Violent
Property
Total
Hayward, CA Crime Rate & Safety
FBI-verified crime statistics for 2024 | Population: 153,419
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Hayward, California Safe?
Hayward has a safety score of 24/100 (High Crime). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 4,133.8 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Hayward ranks #244 out of 264 cities in California and #2742 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 8th percentile for safety — with higher crime than 92% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in Hayward is motor vehicle theft, at 1,376.6 per 100K — 3.9x the national average. Conversely, aggravated assault is relatively low at just 0.8x the national rate.
Year over year, Hayward's total crime rate decreased by 10.3%, with violent crime declining 28.2%.
Hayward Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 732 | 477.1 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 12 | 7.8 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 72 | 46.9 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 267 | 174.0 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 381 | 248.3 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 5,610 | 3,656.7 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 559 | 364.4 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 2,939 | 1,915.7 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 2,112 | 1,376.6 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Hayward vs California Average
How does Hayward's crime rate compare to the California state average?
| Metric | Hayward | California Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 477.1 | 518.0 | -7.9% |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,656.7 | 2,161.3 | +69.2% |
| Murder Rate | 7.8 | 4.4 | +77.7% |
| Total Crime Rate | 4,133.8 | 2,679.3 | +54.3% |
Hayward Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Hayward, California.
| Year | Population | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 153,419 | 4,133.8 | 477.1 | 3,656.7 |
| 2023 | 153,914 | 4,607.1 | 664.7 | 3,942.5 |
| 2022 | 156,458 | 3,277.6 | 361.8 | 2,915.8 |
| 2020 | 160,891 | 3,653.4 | 328.2 | 3,325.2 |
| 2019 | 161,588 | 3,365.4 | 341.6 | 3,023.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hayward, California safe?
Hayward has a safety score of 24/100. With a total crime rate of 4,133.8 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Hayward is higher than average in crime compared to the national average.
What is the crime rate in Hayward, California?
According to FBI data for 2024, Hayward has a violent crime rate of 477.1 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 3,656.7 per 100,000 residents.
How does Hayward compare to the national average?
Hayward's total crime rate of 4,133.8 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The city has a population of 153,419.
What types of crime are most common in Hayward?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Hayward include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Hayward safe to visit?
Like any city, Hayward has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 24/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.