Map of violent crime in Sacramento: Compare neighborhood trends for murder, robbery, assault

The violent crime rate in the city of Sacramento fell last year to near its lowest point in decades, new statistics show.

City police took reports of 3,222 violent crimes in 2019, for a rate of 6.3 violent crimes per 1,000 residents. That’s down from 6.6 violent crimes per 1,000 residents in 2018 — and from 12.5 violent crimes per 1,000 residents in 2006. Since 1985, only one other year – 2014 – saw a lower violent crime rate in the city.

The city’s murder rate also dropped. There were 34 murders in the city in 2019, for a rate of 6.7 murders per 100,000 residents. That’s the third-lowest murder rate since 1985, trailing only 2014 and 2009.

Sacramento killings peaked in 1993 when police responded to 85 murders for a rate of 22.1 murders per 100,000 residents, more than triple last year’s murder rate.

The city also has seen a recent plunge in the number of youth murders.

Violent crime trends varied across the city last year, with some areas seeing increases and others experiencing declines. Violent crimes are classified by the FBI has murder, rape, robbery and aggravated assault.

The number of violent crimes rose from 60 in 2018 to 83 in 2019 – a 38 percent rise – in the police beat covering the neighborhoods of River Park, Campus Commons and College/Glen. The number of violent crimes rose from 126 in 2018 to 154 in 2019 – up 22 percent – in the police beat that includes Hollywood Park, Mangan Park, Woodbine and North City Farms.

The police beat that includes some areas around the UC Davis Medical Center, Tahoe Park and Colonial Heights saw violent crimes decrease from 176 to 126, a 28 percent drop. The police beat that includes some areas around Gardenland and Northgate saw violent crimes decrease from 171 to 134, a 22 percent drop.

Phillip Reese is a data specialist at The Sacramento Bee and teaches at Sacramento State: 916-321-1137.

This story was originally published February 5, 2020 at 5:10 AM.