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Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI 2024 crime data, Hayward, CA has a Safety Score of 8/100 — higher crime than 92% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 4,133.8 per 100,000 residents, ranking #2,742 of 2,971 US cities and #244 of 264 in California.
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Hayward, California Safe?
Hayward, a diverse city in Alameda County, sits on the eastern shore of San Francisco Bay. Home to California State University, East Bay, it was once a major agricultural producer, especially known for its cherries and tomatoes. Its population is over 160,000 residents.
Hayward has a safety score of 8/100 (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%.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
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 | Coverage | 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 8/100, meaning it has less crime than about 8% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 4,133.8 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Hayward is among the highest-crime US cities.
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 data covers 153,419 residents.
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 8/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.