Bakersfield, CA Crime Map

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Bakersfield Crime & Safety

Is Bakersfield safe to live in?

Bakersfield earns an overall crime grade of B-, and its neighborhood-level data tells an even more encouraging story. Of the 100 neighborhoods analyzed, 84% received an A grade and another 12% received a B grade — meaning 96% of all neighborhoods are classified as safe. The city-wide safety rating is Very Safe (A). Not a single neighborhood in Bakersfield received a D or F grade. Areas like Hampton Woods (Grade A+, median income $136,758), Country Rose (Grade A+, median income $153,740), and Silver Creek (Grade A+, population 6,536) represent the broad swath of Bakersfield where crime is exceptionally low. While pockets like Casa Loma (Grade C) and Downtown Bakersfield (Grade C+) warrant more awareness, they are statistical outliers in an otherwise very safe city.

What is the crime rate in Bakersfield, CA?

Bakersfield's crime profile is best understood through its grade distribution across 100 analyzed neighborhoods. 84 neighborhoods (84%) earned an A grade, 12 neighborhoods (12%) earned a B grade, 4 neighborhoods (4%) earned a C grade, and zero neighborhoods received a D or F. The higher-crime areas — Casa Loma (C), Downtown Bakersfield (C+), Oleander/Sunset (C+), and Homaker Park (C+) — represent only 4% of the city's analyzed neighborhoods. By comparison, nationally many cities see 20–30% of neighborhoods fall into D or F territory. Bakersfield's unemployment rate of 7.6% and poverty rate of 17.2% do create economic pressures that can influence crime in specific corridors, but the data shows these pressures are concentrated rather than citywide.

What are the safest neighborhoods in Bakersfield?

Bakersfield has 10 neighborhoods rated A+ — the highest possible safety grade. Here is how they compare by population and median income:

• Country Rose — Grade A+, population 2,088, median income $153,740 (the highest-income A+ neighborhood)
• Hampton Woods — Grade A+, population 2,071, median income $136,758
• Nottingham Estates — Grade A+, population 614, median income $125,446
• Avalon — Grade A+, population 1,842, median income $125,445
• Terra Vista — Grade A+, population 3,389, median income $114,082
• Artisan — Grade A+, population 3,348, median income $114,081
• Stone Creek — Grade A+, population 1,234, median income $93,893
• Silver Creek — Grade A+, population 6,536, median income $85,708 (largest A+ neighborhood by population)
• Stone Meadows — Grade A+, population 5,729, median income $71,239
• Castle Ranch — Grade A+, population 1,323, median income $67,981

Notably, Silver Creek and Stone Meadows demonstrate that A+ safety grades are achievable even in neighborhoods with median incomes closer to the city average of $65,687 — safety is not exclusively tied to affluence in Bakersfield.

Which areas of Bakersfield have higher crime?

Only 4 out of 100 neighborhoods (4%) received a C grade, and none received a D or F. The neighborhoods with the most elevated crime grades are Casa Loma (Grade C), Downtown Bakersfield (Grade C+), Oleander/Sunset (Grade C+), and Homaker Park (Grade C+). CSU Bakersfield earns a Grade B-, which is still within the broadly safe range but worth noting for students and visitors. A C grade indicates moderate crime relative to the city — it does not mean these areas are dangerous in an absolute sense, but residents and visitors should exercise standard urban precautions such as being aware of surroundings, securing vehicles, and avoiding isolated areas at night.

Is Bakersfield a good place to live in 2026?

From a safety standpoint, the data makes a strong case. With 96% of neighborhoods graded A or B, zero neighborhoods graded D or F, and a city-wide safety rating of Very Safe (A), Bakersfield outperforms many California cities of comparable size. The median home value of $256,533 and median rent of $1,124 make it significantly more affordable than coastal California metros, while neighborhoods like Stone Meadows (pop. 5,729, Grade A+) and Silver Creek (pop. 6,536, Grade A+) offer large, established communities with top-tier safety grades. The city's 7.6% unemployment rate and 17.2% poverty rate are economic challenges to weigh, but for families and individuals prioritizing safety and affordability, Bakersfield's neighborhood-level crime data in 2026 presents a genuinely compelling picture.