Solano County Has the 6th Highest Youth Homicide Rate in California

Solano County's homicide rate is the sixth highest in the state, according to a study that was released Wednesday.

The study, titled "Lost Youth: A County-by-County Analysis of 2011 Homicide Victims Agest 10 to 24," compares homicide rates by county, race, weapon used and more. 

Solano County's rate of homicides per 100,000 was 13.71, which is about double the average in California. San Joaquin County had the highest rate at 21.29, which is nearly three times the average. According to the study: 

Statewide, the homicide victimization rate for Californians ages 10 to 24 continued to drop--from 10.48 per 100,000 in 2009, to 8.48 per 100,000 in 2010, down to 7.87 per 100,000 in 2011 ... 

The study finds overwhelmingly that firearms, usually handguns, are the weapon of choice in the homicides of youth and young adults.  The study also shows that there are vast demographic disparities:  in California, young African-Americans are more than 18 times more likely to be murdered than young whites; young Hispanics are more than four times more likely to be murdered than young whites. 

Here are the 10 counties with the highest youth homicide rates: 

  1) San Joaquin County, 21.29 per 100,000

  2) San Francisco County, 18.04 per 100,000

  3) Monterey County, 16.96 per 100,000

  4) Alameda County, 16.82 per 100,000

  5) Contra Costa County, 14.74 per 100,000

  6) Solano County, 13.71 per 100,000

  7) Tulare County, 13.43 per 100,000

  8) Stanislaus County, 9.92 per 100,000

  9) Los Angeles County, 9.55 per 100,000

10) Santa Cruz County, 9.40 per 100,000 

The study contains a detailed analysis for each of the top 10 counties, including:  gender; race/ethnicity; most common weapons; victim to offender relationship; circumstance; and, location ... The study also contains a detailed analysis for each race/ethnicity.  

Click here to read the detailed study and share your thoughts on the results below.