Chinatown Neighborhood, San Francisco

Crime Rate & Statistics

D

High crime area — significantly above-average crime rates

Safer than 0% of neighborhoods in San Francisco

Safety at a Glance

Overall Crime High
Low 174 / 300 High
Violent Crime 140
40% above national avg
Property Crime 133
33% above national avg
City Ranking
0%
safer than other
San Francisco neighborhoods

Check a specific address

in San Francisco

Is Chinatown Safe?

No — this is a high-crime area. Chinatown in San Francisco, CA has a safety grade of D. The overall crime index is 174, which is 74% above the national average of 100. Chinatown is safer than 0% of neighborhoods in San Francisco.

Compared to the San Francisco average (crime index 104), Chinatown is 70% higher in overall crime. Residents and visitors should exercise extra caution in this area, particularly after dark.

Looking at specific crime types, assault is the most elevated concern (index: 178, 78% above average), while robbery is the lowest risk (index: 85).

Highest Risk
Assault · Index 178 (78% above avg)
Lowest Risk
Robbery · Index 85 (15% below avg)

Chinatown Crime Breakdown

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

Crime Type Index vs National Risk Level
Violent Crime
Murder
150 +50% Moderate
Assault
178 +78% High
Robbery
85 -15% Average
Rape
148 +48% Moderate
Property Crime
Burglary
96 -4% Average
Larceny / Theft
135 +35% Moderate
Vehicle Theft
168 +68% High

How Chinatown Compares

Crime index by category: Chinatown vs San Francisco average vs national average.

Crime by Category

Overall Crime Comparison

Chinatown 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

Chinatown Demographics & Context

Population
10,168
Median Income
$31,666
Home Value
$992,168
Median Age
57
Pop. Density
76,271/mi²

Education

Bachelor's Degree 15.9%
Graduate Degree 5.2%

Housing

5%
95%
Owner-occupied Renter-occupied

Racial Demographics

White 11.1%
Black 1.5%
Hispanic 3.2%
Asian 83.6%

Nearby Neighborhoods

Nob Hill Index: 142
C+
Financial District Index: 176
C
North Beach Index: 144
C+
Russian Hill Index: 126
B+
Downtown / Civic Center Index: 177
C-
South of Market Index: 143
B-
Pacific Heights Index: 115
A-
The Marina Index: 108
A
Chinatown Crime Map
Interactive crime heatmap for this neighborhood
San Francisco Crime Statistics
View all San Francisco neighborhoods & city-wide data

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Chinatown, San Francisco?

Chinatown in San Francisco, CA has a crime safety grade of D as of 2026. The overall crime index is 174, which is 74% above the national average. Compared to the San Francisco average, crime in Chinatown is 70% higher. Chinatown is safer than 0% of neighborhoods in San Francisco.

Is Chinatown a safe neighborhood in San Francisco?

Chinatown has elevated crime levels with a safety grade of D. Extra caution is recommended, especially at night. The highest concern is Assault (index: 178), while Robbery is the lowest risk (index: 85). It is one of the higher-crime neighborhoods in San Francisco.

How does Chinatown compare to the rest of San Francisco?

Chinatown's overall crime index is 174, compared to the San Francisco average of 104. This means crime in Chinatown is 70% higher than the city average. For violent crime, the index is 140, and for property crime it is 133. 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 Chinatown?

The most prevalent crime type in Chinatown is Assault, with a crime index of 178 (78% above the national average). Violent crime is a particular concern in this neighborhood relative to property crime.

What are safer neighborhoods near Chinatown?

Nearby neighborhoods with good safety ratings include Russian Hill, South of Market, Pacific Heights and The Marina. These areas are close to Chinatown and offer lower crime rates, making them worth considering for residents who prioritize safety.

What are the demographics of Chinatown?

Chinatown has a population of approximately 10,168. The median household income is $31,666. The median home value is $992,168. Research shows that economic factors can correlate with crime rates, though many other variables play a role in neighborhood safety.

How does Chinatown crime compare to the national average?

Chinatown's overall crime rate is 74% above the national average (index 174 vs 100). Within San Francisco, 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.