Blue State Blues: California’s Danger Zones: 5 Counties With Highest Homicide Rates
25th July 2024
Alameda County, home to Oakland, ranked No. 1 in homicides in the state per capita in 2023, according to a report released earlier this month, by the California Attorney General’s office.
Meanwhile, Merced County – in the central region of the state – which topped the list in 2022, showed a sharp decrease in homicides and fell out of the state’s top five.
Los Angeles County, despite accounting for more than one-third of homicides in the state, also was not on the top five list.
Statewide, 1,892 homicide cases were reported in 2023 – a nearly 16 percent decrease compared to 2022. This is the first time the number of homicides has dropped below 2,000 since 2020.