3 Simple But Important Reasons Why Fresno Is Safe 

Time and time again people ask the burning question- is Fresno a safe place to live? Yes, Fresno has crime. Yes, Fresno has a large homeless population- but so does every big city in the world. And Fresno is big. However, safety and security is a multi-dimensional topic. It would be unfortunate to base a decision on one single aspect that reflects only a small portion of the city. Looking at all the ways an environment brings safety and well-being, it’s easy to say that Fresno is definitely a safe place to live.

A steady decline in crime

Fresno is the 5th largest city in California, ranked in-between San Francisco and Sacramento. However, unlike many of those other big cities, Fresno has seen a steady decline in crime (from violent offenses to fraud) over the past few years. In 2018, crime rates dropped by 19% while violent crime dropped 1.5%- a trend that seems to be continuing. This consistent drop in crime is probably why Fresno wasn’t considered for the list of the most dangerous cities in California.

Fresno is large, geographically speaking. There are many areas and neighborhoods where residents are free to enjoy life. North Fresno has a plethora of city parks where locals love to hang out, barbecue, throw birthday parties, or simply take an evening stroll. Like every big city, you learn which areas to be cautious of walking around at night. However, speaking from personal experience, even the “sketchy” sides of Fresno are far less threatening than anything you would encounter in San Francisco or Los Angeles.

“The Biggest Little City In the World”

Fresno is growing- It’s population continues to rise, new housing, new infrastructure, and a revitalization of Downtown are all exciting things coming to Fresno. But in a way, there is still a bit of innocence and small-town charm about Fresno. 

A thriving metropolis that is closely bonded to its noble agrarian roots- Fresno is all about community. You can feel the nostalgia for the simple life in every local coffee shop, restaurant, boutique, and community event. The safety and security that comes with a close-knit community are priceless. 

Location, location, location

There’s an old saying that goes, “No news is good news.” Luckily, for Fresno residents, the weather is quite uneventful. Apart from hitting triple digits in the middle of summer, there really aren’t any threatening weather patterns here. Tucked away in the valley of Central California, Fresno is safely out of reach from major earthquakes, wildfires, tornadoes, and floods. 

That being said, sitting in the valley does make for poor air quality at times. Fortunately, local districts have worked hard to improve air quality over the past 15 years. Tree Fresno is another wonderful program intended to curb the effects of air pollution while creating beautiful landscapes that improve the overall quality of life for every resident. Otherwise, Fresno is literally two hours away from the fresh mountain air of Yosemite, Kings, and Sequoia National Park, and the clean ocean breeze from the Central California coast. 

Fresno is a wonderful place to live. It sure isn't perfect but it comes pretty close. It is a city that is undergoing many changes, upgrades, and improvements. And it’s the overall safety, security, and wellbeing of the residents that are driving this change. Looking forward to what's to come, Fresno has a lot to offer in terms of overall health, safety, and security.