Stockton is one of the most dangerous cities in California. The city experiences crime twice as often as the national average and violent crimes nearly four times more than the national average.
There’s also high levels of gang activity, high poverty rates, and high unemployment rates in the city.
One of the main dangers in Stockton is violent crimes. The city has some of the highest violent crime rates in the United States.
To put that into perspective, California’s crime rate is 447 per 100,0000 people. And the U.S crime rate is 380 per 100,000 people.
Contrast that to Stockton which experiences about 1,400 per 100,000 people. That’s more than triple the national and California average!
Some of the most common crimes in Stockton include robbery, assault, burglaries, theft, and arson.
The city also have some of the highest homocide and sexual assault rates in the country.
Much of the dangers come from lack of economic opportunity.
Stockton’s poverty rate is consistently above 20%, which is more than double the national average. Also, the unemployment rate is higher than 6%, which is 2% more than the national average.
The lack of economic opportunity is a danger in Stockton, California.
The poor economic outlook has resulted in high crime rates in Stockton.
How Much Crime is there in Stockton?
Stockton experiences some of the highest crime rates in the United States. This record can be attributed to a couple of factors.
First, there are limited economic opportunities in Stockton. The poverty rates and unemployment rates are higher than the national average.
The city also has a history of gang violence since the early 1990s.
As with any city, some areas of Stockton are much safer than others. As a rule of thumb, the cities and neighborhoods on the Outskirts of Stockton are much safer than Downton Stockton.
In particular, the cities on the Eastern edge of Stockton have much lower violent crime rates, property crime rates, and home value than the rest of Stockton.
Below is a shortlist of areas in Stockton that are safest.
Spanos Park
Western Ranch
Brookside
Stonewood
Valley Oak
Lincoln Village West
Lakeview
What Kinds of Crimes are Common in Stockton?
The crime rates in Stockton are much higher than the national average. Both violent crimes and property crimes are more than double the national average.
Some of the most common crimes in Stockton include assault, burglary, theft, burglary, and vehicle theft.
One of the main reasons for the high crime rate is the high level of gang activity in the city. One report claims that Gang violence accounts for 70% of the crime in Stockton.
Another reason is the prevalence of drug abuse is in Stockton, often leading to various other crimes.
Places To Avoid In Stockton?
There are certain areas in Stockton that have much higher criminal activity than other places.
But it’s challenging to narrow them down to determine which area you need to avoid the most.
One thing you can do is to visit locations during the day. Crime rates are much lower before it gets dark.
I would especially avoid spending time in Downtown Stockton at night.
Cities such as Civic and nearby neighborhoods have the highest crime rates. When visiting these places, try to travel in groups. If you’re visiting at night, stay in public places that are well-populated and well-lit.
What is the best time to visit Stockton?
Unless you prefer the cold weather, the best time to travel to Stockton is during the summer.
The days are longer and more people are out. Long days means you can safely explore the city much longer.
The weather is also pleasant during the summer.
The warmest months in Stockton are June and August. But warm temperatures can extend as long as May and September.
Overall, California’s weather means that you can visit Stockton any time of the year without any issues.
Is it safe to visit Stockton at night?
Overall, it’s not safe to visit Stockton at night. Stockton experiences high crime rates, which puts visitors at risk at night.
Safety is especially an issue if you’re traveling alone or in areas where gang activity is high.
Crimes such as theft, robbery, assault, and car theft, typically occur in the city at night.
Is it safe to visit Stockton alone?
Stockton is relatively safe to visit alone. But, to be sure, I recommend taking extra precautions.
Try to stay in areas of the city that are well populated and well lit. Also, avoid traveling late at night. Try to get settled into your living quarters before the sunsets.
Try not to wear bombastic clothes to avoid bringing too much attention to yourself. Unwanted attention could make you a target of violence and theft.
Is it safe for women to Visit?
Stockton is not the safest place for a woman to visit, especially alone.
Violent and property crimes are pretty common in the city. And rape is much higher than the national average.
That said, Stockton is not the safest place to visit, regardless of your gender.
Can I park my car/van overnight?
Parking your car or van overnight in Stockton is risky. The city has a very high vehicle theft rate.
You are twice more likely to have your car stolen in Stockton than California and the national average.
If you are going to park your car overnight in Stockton, it’s best to park somewhere with surveillance cameras.
To avoid damage or theft to your car, you can also park it inside parking garages. Parking garages offer more protection because they usually have surveillance cameras and require a ticketing system to leave the structures.
Tips for Staying Safe in Stockton
Planning on visiting Stockton? Here are some tips you can follow to stay safe:
Travel in public places that are well-populated and well-lit,
Don’t wear jewelry and designer items.
Don’t carry large sums of money while you travel. Be careful when taking money out of ATM’s.
Blend in by dressing like locals or by not drawing attention to yourself.
Keep expensive personal belongings hidden, including laptops and iPhones. Don’t leave any of your personal belongings unattended.
Stay alert to your surroundings and trust your instincts if you begin to feel unsafe.
Plan your trips. Research the location you’re planning to see and familiarize yourself with the areas before visiting.
Plan your trips, and don’t act like a tourist.
Don’t share your personal information or living arrangements online or with strangers.
Stockton has high crime rates. But that does not mean that you can’t visit. By doing your research and taking the proper precautions, you should have no problem enjoying everything the city has to offer.
Mariska is a recovering attorney who gave up her professional job to discover new perspectives of life while traveling in a 2009 Ford Transit.
She has been living the van life for 3 years and has not looked back since.
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