Downtown Berkeley Neighborhood, Berkeley

Crime Rate & Statistics

High crime area — significantly above-average crime rates

Safer than 0% of neighborhoods in Berkeley

Safety at a Glance

Overall Crime High

Low 189 / 300 High

Violent Crime 192

92% above national avg

Property Crime 198

98% above national avg

City Ranking

safer than other

Berkeley neighborhoods

Check a specific address

in Berkeley

Is Downtown Berkeley Safe?

No — this is a high-crime area. Downtown Berkeley in Berkeley, CA has a safety grade of D. The overall crime index is 189, which is 89% above the national average of 100. Downtown Berkeley is safer than 0% of neighborhoods in Berkeley.

Compared to the Berkeley average (crime index 118), Downtown Berkeley is 71% higher in overall crime. Residents and visitors should exercise extra caution in this area, particularly after dark.

Looking at specific crime types, robbery is the most elevated concern (index: 200, 100% above average), while assault is the lowest risk (index: 178).

Highest Risk

Robbery · Index 200 (100% above avg)

Lowest Risk

Assault · Index 178 (78% above avg)

Downtown Berkeley Crime Breakdown

Crime indices compared to national average (100) and Berkeley city average. Higher values mean more crime.

Crime Type	Index	vs National	vs Berkeley	Risk Level
Violent Crime
Murder	199	+99%	+73%	High
Assault	178	+78%	+39%	High
Robbery	200	+100%	+86%	High
Rape	189	+89%	N/A	High
Property Crime
Burglary	196	+96%	+82%	High
Larceny / Theft	200	+100%	+55%	High
Vehicle Theft	199	+99%	+65%	High

How Downtown Berkeley Compares

Crime index by category: Downtown Berkeley vs Berkeley average vs national average.

Crime by Category

Overall Crime Comparison

Downtown Berkeley Crime Map

Crime heatmap based on block-group level data. Red areas indicate higher crime density.

Full Screen Map

Crime Level: Low Below Avg Average Above Avg High

See the crime score for a specific address

Downtown Berkeley Demographics & Context

Population

4,861

Median Income

$45,819

Home Value

$956,750

Median Age

Pop. Density

23,041/mi²

Education

Bachelor's Degree 37.3%

Graduate Degree 29.6%

Housing

99%

Owner-occupied Renter-occupied

Racial Demographics

White 31.9%

Black 7.9%

Hispanic 11.3%

Asian 44.7%

Nearby Neighborhoods

Central Berkeley Index: 155

B-

South Campus Index: 109

C+

North Berkeley Index: 141

B-

LeConte / South Index: 155

B-

South Berkeley Index: 169

C-

West Berkeley Index: 159

Elmwood Index: 160

B-

Panoramic Hill Index: 99

B+

Downtown Berkeley Crime Map

Interactive crime heatmap for this neighborhood

Berkeley Crime Statistics

View all Berkeley neighborhoods & city-wide data

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Downtown Berkeley, Berkeley?

Downtown Berkeley in Berkeley, CA has a crime safety grade of D as of 2026. The overall crime index is 189, which is 89% above the national average. Compared to the Berkeley average, crime in Downtown Berkeley is 71% higher. Downtown Berkeley is safer than 0% of neighborhoods in Berkeley.

Is Downtown Berkeley a safe neighborhood in Berkeley?

Downtown Berkeley has elevated crime levels with a safety grade of D. Extra caution is recommended, especially at night. The highest concern is Robbery (index: 200), while Assault is the lowest risk (index: 178). It is one of the higher-crime neighborhoods in Berkeley.

How does Downtown Berkeley compare to the rest of Berkeley?

Downtown Berkeley's overall crime index is 189, compared to the Berkeley average of 118. This means crime in Downtown Berkeley is 71% higher than the city average. For violent crime, the index is 192, and for property crime it is 198. However, crime can vary block by block, so checking the crime map for specific streets is recommended.

What type of crime is most common in Downtown Berkeley?

The most prevalent crime type in Downtown Berkeley is Robbery, with a crime index of 200 (100% above the national average). Overall, property crime is more prevalent than violent crime in this neighborhood, which is consistent with national trends.

What are safer neighborhoods near Downtown Berkeley?

Nearby neighborhoods with good safety ratings include Central Berkeley, North Berkeley, LeConte / South and Elmwood. These areas are close to Downtown Berkeley and offer lower crime rates, making them worth considering for residents who prioritize safety.

What are the demographics of Downtown Berkeley?

Downtown Berkeley has a population of approximately 4,861. The median household income is $45,819. The median home value is $956,750. Research shows that economic factors can correlate with crime rates, though many other variables play a role in neighborhood safety.

How does Downtown Berkeley crime compare to the national average?

Downtown Berkeley's overall crime rate is 89% above the national average (index 189 vs 100). Within Berkeley, it is safer than 0% of neighborhoods. For the most accurate picture, review the per-crime-type breakdown above, as some categories may differ significantly from the overall trend.

Crime data sourced from FBI UCR reports and local law enforcement agencies. Crime indices use 100 as the national average. Updated April 2026.