crime and demographics reports?

Question

Im moving soon and Im trying to research the crime rate and demographics of a couple of cities. are there any specific website where I can get this info? It has to include cities in california, any suggestions?

Answer 1

www.census.gov

They have maps that you go down to the neighborhood level. So you may see a place you like that is across a major road where the other side doesn't look so good and decide it's ok. But remember, in the new America, places that were once totally crime free aren't, the criminals are always looking for nice places to rip-off (I live in Bethesda, MD, "the most educated city over 50,000 in the U.S., according to the U.S. Census), certain gangs are specifically targeting Bethesda for home invasions because they know it's easy pickings (lots of tagging in my neighborhood too). I saw a guy with a gas company t-shirt* walking though a yard today (beat up white van parked down the street), funny thing, we don't have gas on this street. It was the biggest house on the block and always seems empty. Ok well, better them than me.

* Well not really a "gas company" t-shirt, just a shirt with a gas flame on the back, same logo on his van, but no company name. Between his demographic, and the demographic of the guy hiding across the street, I figured it was best to continue with my run and mind my own business. Luckily, I'm only here for a few more years and all my valuables are at my other house (with a different demographic).

Answer 2

FBI Uniform Crime Reports

http://www.fbi.gov/ucr/ucr.htm

Answer 3

http://www.cityrating.com/crimestatistics.asp

That's been a pretty well confirmed set of numbers. The police agree the numbers are accurate.

You should try making some comparisons betweens cities. Check out the place you're living, for sure. But check out other cities you think you know about. See how their crime rate is.

It's interesting.