California’s Danger Zones: 5 Counties With Highest Homicide Rates

Alameda County, home to Oakland, ranked No. 1 in homicides in the state per capita in 2023, according to a report released earlier this month, by the California Attorney General’s office. Meanwhile, Merced County—in the central region of the state—which topped the list in 2022, showed a sharp decrease in homicides and fell out of the state’s top five. Los Angeles County, despite accounting for more than one-third of homicides in the state, also was not on the top five list. Statewide, 1,892 homicide cases were reported in 2023—a nearly 16 percent decrease compared to 2022. This is the first time the number of homicides has dropped below 2,000 since 2020....