Hayward, CA Crime Rates

An Overview of Crime Rates in Hayward, CA

The Hayward crime rates are 40.2% higher than the national average. There are two main categories of crime - violent crime and property crime. Violent crime consists of murder, rape, robbery and assault, while property crimes include burglary, theft and vehicle theft. There were a total of 559 violent crimes in Hayward (357 per 100,000 people), which is 3.4% lower than the national average and there were a total of 4539 property crimes (2901 per 100,000 residents) which is 48.4% higher than average.

For violent crimes per 100,000 people, Hayward has a rate of violent crime that is very close to the national average. There were a total of 357 violent crimes, while the national average reported 370. This is an indication that the level of crime is essentially on par with all other cities.

Recently, vehicle thefts have seen an upward trend across the United States, and Hayward ranks among the cities with the highest vehicle theft rates in the country. Last year, there were 1608 vehicle thefts, amounting to 1028 stolen vehicles per 100,000 residents. This places Hayward within the worst 10% of all cities, indicating that 90% of cities fare better in terms of vehicle theft rates. The likelihood of your vehicle being stolen stands at 1 in 98.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Hayward?

AreaVibes conducted surveys inquiring about the safety perception of Hayward residents. Out of the respondents (59 in total), 29% expressed a strong sense of security, believing that crime rates in Hayward were low, and they felt comfortable walking alone at night. Conversely, 71% held a contrasting viewpoint, expressing concerns about safety in the area and feeling uncomfortable walking alone during the nighttime hours.

Is Hayward a Safe Place to Live?

Is Hayward a safe place to live? While the answer may not be straightforward due to variations in safety levels across the city, gaining an understanding of the overall crime rate can prove to be advantageous. In general, Hayward has a crime rate that is higher than the national average by 40%. Breaking this down on a daily basis, it translates to 13.97 daily incidents, encompassing 1.53 violent crimes and 12.44 property crimes. Evaluating these statistics can aid in forming a more informed perspective on the safety of Hayward as a potential place to call home.

Has Crime in Hayward Increased Since Last Year?

Year-over-year crime rates in Hayward has decreased by 13.3% in the last reported crime report. Comparing crime rates from one year to another offers some insight into whether or not Hayward is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live. Crime rates are categorized by violent and property crime. Year-over-year violent crime has increased by 5.9%, while property crime has decreased by 15.2%. This analysis equips individuals with crucial information for making informed decisions about living in Hayward.

Hayward Neighborhood Crime Rates

Hayward is a large urban city with at least 16 distinct neighborhoods. As a result, crime rates will differ dramatically from one neighborhood to the next. Typically, high density neighborhoods that are located close to the city center, experience more crime than neighborhoods on the outskirts of the city. Some of the safest neighborhoods in Hayward include: Southgate, Upper B Street and Hayward Highland. Some neighborhoods that have a higher number of reported crime that you might want to avoid include: Longwood-Winton Grove, Santa Clara and Mission-Foothill.

Potential Causes for Crime in Hayward

Limited employment opportunities or a prevalence of low-wage jobs can result in higher rates of unemployment and underemployment. Regions where individuals grapple with joblessness or meager wages may exhibit greater vulnerability to an uptick in crime due to financial instability. While areas that have strong employment rates, often will see a reduction in overall crime. Hayward, for instance, reports an unemployment rate of 3.5%, which differs from the national average of 4.7%.

The educational level achieved in any given city can influence crime rates significantly. Greater educational achievement is frequently associated with decreased crime rates, as it offers individuals improved job prospects and alternatives to engaging in crime related activities. Conversely, lower educational attainment rates tend to coincide with elevated crime rates. In Hayward, 78.3% of residents have successfully graduated from high school, in contrast to the national average where 83% have achieved high school graduation.

In areas where housing affordability is an issue, crime can become a significant concern. Some individuals and families may be forced to live in overcrowded or substandard housing conditions, which can increase stress and potentially contribute to domestic disputes and related crimes. The median home price in Hayward is $622,700, compared to a national average of $184,700.

Hayward crime map