You are going to be traveling in Arizona and want to know which neighborhoods are the most dangerous and safest to stay in Mesa.
Mesa has often been scrutinized for its crime rate and labeled as a dangerous town. However, it is important to note that the safety of a city is subjective and can vary depending on various factors. Additionally, Mesa, like its larger neighbor Phoenix, has some areas that are safe and some that are not.
In this article, we will therefore determine if in 2024 Mesa is a dangerous city, by analyzing its crime rate, comparing it to other cities in the United States. Plus, we'll study different areas of the city to let you know which are the most dangerous and safest neighborhoods in Mesa. A Google Maps map is also attached to help you locate areas to avoid in Mesa.
This article is a summary of web publications (press, forums, statistics and rankings) of 2024 and therefore does not contain any judgment or discrimination.
Is Mesa safe in 2024?
Before saying if Mesa is a safe city in 2024, we can already say that it is not one of the most dangerous cities in the United States.
Indeed, if we study the various classifications and statistics of the most dangerous American cities (neighborhood scout, FBI, statistics, worldpopulationreview), we see that Mesa is not on any list.
And to reassure you even more, the article of ktar com explains that Mesa was, 2 years ago, the fifth safest large city in the United States.
This is also confirmed by the ranking Numbeo 2024 of the most criminal cities in the United States. Indeed, we see that Mesa is among the safest cities with a crime index of 44.31. In comparison, Mesa is safer than its neighbors Phoenix et Tucson but also that cities like Albuquerque, Denver, Oklahoma City ou Fort Worth.
What is the crime rate in Mesa AZ?
Some say Mesa is a dangerous city because of its crime rate, while others think it's relatively safe compared to other cities in the state of Arizona. To determine if Mesa is indeed a dangerous city, it is important to analyze its crime rate.
However, it can be noted that the overall crime rate in Mesa has fluctuated significantly over the years. In recent years, there has been a decrease in certain types of crime such as burglary and motor vehicle theft. In contrast, other types of crime, such as assault and drug-related crime, have increased.
According to the latest statistics, the violent crime rate in Mesa is 19,3 which is lower than the national average which is 22,7. The property crime rate is higher than the national average (35.4) because it is 37.6. So, we can say that Mesa is less dangerous than the average American city.
Is Mesa safe to visit?
Mesa is a safe city to visit provided you avoid dangerous neighborhoods. Indeed, although the overall crime rate in Mesa is relatively low, it is important to note that crime is not evenly distributed across the city.
And since some neighborhoods have much higher crime rates than others, tourists need to be aware of them so they can avoid them.
Map of Mesa neighborhoods
To determine safety in Mesa, it is essential to understand the different areas of the city. Like any other urban area, Mesa is made up of different neighborhoods and districts, each with their own unique characteristics and crime rates that vary wildly.
The city of Mesa is organized into six districts which all include their own neighborhoods, the main ones of which are:
Alta Mesa, Apache Wells, Augusta Ranch, Boulder Mountain, CANDO, Crismon Creek, Dobson Ranch, Dobson Woods, Downtown, Glenwood-Wilbur, Heritage Park, Las Sendas, Lehi, Marlborough Mesa, Mesa Grande, North Center Street, Northeast, Northgrove , Parkwood Ranch, Rancho del Mar, Red Mountain Ranch, Ridgeview, Sierra Ranch, Sunland Village, Sunland Village East, Superstition Springs, The Groves.
To help you identify the dangerous areas and neighborhoods of Mesa listed below, here is a map where you can locate them: https://maps.app.goo.gl/yVN4SCreAoEmSucp6
Areas to avoid in Mesa
According to Mesa crime forums and maps, the 2 main areas to avoid are:
- North West Mesa (north of Route 60 / west of Mesa Dr) which has the worst reputation
- South West Mesa (south of 60)West Central mostly at night
These would be the 2 areas where neighborhoods have the highest crime rates in the city. Now let's see what precisely these dangerous areas of Mesa are.
Mesa's Most Dangerous Neighborhoods
According to publications from websites like areavibes, crimegrade ou neighborhood scout In 2024, the most dangerous neighborhoods in Mesa are:
- Sherwood Manor
- Pace II East
- Knoell Mesa / Suncrest Villas Mesa
- Rotary Park
- Country Village
- Mesa Coronado
- Camden Vista Village
- Redwood Gardens Park
- Glenwood Wilbur Historic District
- Eaton Club Estates/Mesa Vista II
- Duke Manor
- Park Center Place
- Hohokam Village
- Lyn Rae
- 2nd Avenue Group
- The Mirage
- Val Vista Village / Brentwood Mobile Manor
- Velda Rose Estates East
- buckhorn
- Desert Sage
- Desert Village / Mary Francis Estates
This list of dangerous neighborhoods in Mesa is neither ranked nor exhaustive, it is merely indicative. It was made in 2024 and may change over time.
For an up-to-date search, you can consult the stats from the official Mesa Police website.
Safest Neighborhoods and Areas in Mesa AZ
According to the latest statistics, the safest areas of Mesa are mainly located in the East and North part of the city.
Still according to the same sources, in 2024 the least dangerous neighborhoods of Mesa are the following:
- lehi
- Eastmark
- Las Sendas
- Rancho Apache
- Spyglass Estates
- Hermosa Vista Flood
- Saguaro Shadows
- Sierra Estates
- Mountain Ranch
- BellaVia
Best area to stay in Mesa
Northeast is considered the richest area of Mesa. And in Northeast Mesa, one of the best areas to live in would be the Red Mountain District or Red Mountain Ranch.
But the best area to stay in Mesa as a tourist or for a business trip is Downtown Mesa.
Indeed, the city center is not only the business district but also that of culture, leisure, restaurants, entertainment and shopping. This is where the famous Mesa Arts Center is located.
If you are looking for where to stay in the heart of Downtown, here is the hotel that I recommend for its ideal location: Delta Hotels by Marriott Phoenix Mesa
Away from the dangerous Mesa neighborhoods, this hotel is close to the Theater of Arts, the Museum of Natural History and just a 15 minute drive from Arizona State University.
