CityCheck
CitiesSafetyAskPlan
C-

Is Barstow, California Safe?

Population 24,804 · Safer than 29% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

In a community of 24,804, each crime incident has a bigger statistical impact. Barstow earns a C- with violent crime close to the national average. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,597 per 100K.

Barstow Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricBarstowCalifornia AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate329.8333.9363.8
Property Crime Rate1963.82099.21,832.3
Murder Rate7.0--5.7
Assault Rate247.0--268.2
Theft Rate1597.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate177.0--318.3

All rates per 100,000 residents. 2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report + Census Bureau population estimates.

Overall SafetyC-

229.4 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC

330/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeC-

1964/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Barstow

Violent crime in Barstow is close to the national average. The rate of 329.8 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 1963.8 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,597 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Barstow Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder7
01.2x national avgAvg: 5.7
Assault247
092% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery72
01.1x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary322
01.2x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,597
01.1x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft177
056% of avgAvg: 318.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. Vertical marker = national average.

How Barstow Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Barstow
329.8
State
333.9
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Barstow
1963.8
State
2099.2
National
1832.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. National averages from 2023 FBI UCR data.

Frequently Asked Questions About Barstow Safety

Is Barstow safe?
Not especially. Barstow earns a C- with a crime rate of 229.4 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs close to the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Barstow?
229.4 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 329.8 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 1963.8 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Barstow safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Barstow's C- grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,597 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Barstow?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Barstow generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Barstow police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Barstow?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Barstow's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a C- grade overall.
How does Barstow compare to other cities in California?
Below average for the state. Barstow ranks behind about 80% of California cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.1x the national rate.
How safe is Barstow to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is close to the national average, which is encouraging. The upward trend in crime is concerning.
How bad is crime in Barstow?
Bad. A C- grade and 229.4 per-thousand rate put Barstow below 71% of US cities. Violent crime at 330 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Barstow?
329.8 per 100,000, which is 9% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (247), robbery (72), and murder (7.0) per 100,000.

Nearby Cities in California

Similar-sized communities in California. Compare crime rates across the state.

C
See crime rates in Selma24,702 pop · Grade C
C-
See crime rates in Norco25,081 pop · Grade C-
C
See crime rates in Imperial Beach25,206 pop · Grade C
C
See crime rates in Loma Linda25,221 pop · Grade C
C
See crime rates in Eureka25,304 pop · Grade C
D+
See crime rates in Lafayette25,313 pop · Grade D+
View all California city safety grades

Looking for things to do? See activities, events and places in Barstow

Get weekly safety updates for Barstow

Weekly crime trend updates and safety grade changes delivered to your inbox.

2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report data and Census Bureau population estimates. Safety grades calculated using national and state-level crime rate distributions. Not a substitute for local law enforcement guidance.

Know before you go

CityCheck covers safety grades, crime data, and things to do for every US city.

Explore cities