Fernside Neighborhood
Is Fernside a Safe Place to Live? Housing, Crime & Buyer Guide
Explore safety, home prices, commute patterns, and neighborhood insights in Alameda, California - so you can decide with confidence before buying or renting.
Most buyers only see the home. Smart buyers check the neighborhood first.
Crime Summary:
Crime Overview (last 12 months)
Severe875
Medium420
Low1671
Other5853
142 Registered Offenders Nearby
Rape53
Child involved94
Assault24
Other8
Crime Details:
Recent reported incidents in the past 12 months (newest first). Up to 10 records.
| Crime date | Crime description | Address | Crime category |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, a medical response involves a 26-year-old female possibly under the influence with a rapid heart rate near the marina. | Challenger Dr Suite 101, Alameda, CA 94501 | Medical Emergency |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, a medical emergency involving a 50-year-old woman with abdominal pain is reported near Gibraltar Drive by Marina Village Parkway. | Marina Village Pkwy, Alameda, CA 94501 | Medical Emergency |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, a medical call for general illness was reported near 17th Avenue and Sonoma Way in Oakland. | 17th Ave, Oakland, CA 94606 | Medical Emergency |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, a person appeared to faint and was unconscious but breathing near MacArthur Boulevard. Fire units were dispatched to the scene. | MacArthur Blvd, Oakland, CA 94610 | Medical Emergency |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, emergency medical personnel are responding code 3 for a possible unconscious person near MacArthur Boulevard and Casa San Bruno Avenue in Oakland. | MacArthur Blvd, Oakland, CA 94610 | Medical Emergency |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, fire units are dispatched to a possible medical emergency involving an unconscious person who is breathing near MacArthur Boulevard in Oakland. | MacArthur Blvd, Oakland, CA 94610 | Medical Emergency |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, emergency medical services responded to a reported fall near 13th Street and Broadway in Oakland. | 13th St, Oakland, CA 94612 | Medical Emergency |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, a medical unit responded to a report of chest pain near 13th Street. | 13th St, Oakland, CA 94612 | Medical Emergency |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, emergency medical services notified for an 89-year-old woman with chest pain near Hawthorne Avenue. Patient has stable vital signs and is arriving shortly. | Hawthorne Ave, Oakland, CA 94609 | Medical Emergency |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, fire crews responded to a reported vegetation fire near 37th Street and Telegraph Avenue in Oakland after a caller reported bushes on fire. Engine 1 arrived, searched the area, and apparently did not find any active fire before returning to service. | Telegraph Ave & 37th St, Oakland, CA 94609 | Fire |
For all crime details - View Safety Report
Median Home Price
$1,650,725
Executive/Professional
74.6%
Vacancy Rate
10.6%
Fernside Overview
Fernside is an exclusive urban neighborhood in Alameda, California, distinguished by its waterfront location and exceptional wealth. With a median home price of $1,650,725, it ranks among the most expensive neighborhoods in both California (85.9%) and the entire United States (97.1%).
The neighborhood is renowned for its historic character, with 75.3% of residential real estate built in 1939 or earlier - a greater concentration of historic homes than 99.3% of US neighborhoods. This coastal community combines nautical charm with urban sophistication, attracting wealthy professionals and cultural patrons.
Waterfront LivingHistoric DistrictUltra-WealthyUrban Sophisticates
Key Neighborhood Facts
| Wealth Ranking | Wealthier than 98.3% of US |
|---|---|
| Historic Concentration | 75.3% pre-1940 homes |
| Walkability | Top 5% in America |
| Cultural Sophistication | Higher than 99.4% of US |
Housing market and real estate character
Fernside represents one of California's most exclusive real estate markets, combining historic charm, waterfront location, and luxury pricing in a highly walkable urban setting.
| Historic Homes | 75.3% built 1939 or earlier |
|---|---|
| Housing Mix | Medium single-family and small apartments |
| Ownership Pattern | Most residential real estate owner occupied |
| Vacancy Rate | 10.6% |
| Coastal Location | On ocean, bay, or inlet |
What buyers will notice right away
Exceptional concentration of pre-1940 homes creates unique character and charm, commanding premium prices for historic preservation and architectural significance.
Coastal location provides nautical feel with waterfront amenities and recreational activities attractive to residents and visitors.
Pricing in top tier of both California and US markets reflects exclusive location, historic character, and wealthy resident base.
Family Life & Lifestyle
Fernside attracts ultra-wealthy professionals and cultural sophisticates who value historic charm, waterfront living, and urban amenities in an exclusive setting.
Exceptional wealth creates economic security and opportunities
Historic waterfront setting provides unique lifestyle appeal
High walkability supports urban convenience
Cultural sophistication attracts arts and education patrons
Urban Sophisticates — Residents defined as having urbane tastes in literature, music, live theatre and arts, living in higher concentration than 99.4% of US neighborhoods.
Remote Work Professionals — High rates of working from home (33.5%) suggest creative and technological economy workers, similar to Silicon Valley patterns.
Waterfront Living — Coastal location with nautical character provides unique lifestyle combining historic charm with modern waterfront amenities and recreation.
| Child Poverty Rate | 0.0% |
|---|---|
| Remote Work Rate | 33.5% |
| Ferry Commuters | 2.4% |
Demographics & Community
| Executive/Professional | 74.6% |
|---|---|
| Wealth Ranking | Wealthier than 98.3% of US |
| Child Poverty | 0.0% |
| Remote Work | 33.5% |
| Primary Language | English 76.2% |
| Chinese Speakers | 7.4% |
| Asian Ancestry | 16.6% |
| Foreign Born | 18.3% |
Transportation & Commute
Fernside residents utilize diverse transportation options including unique ferry service, reflecting the waterfront location and professional employment patterns.
The waterfront location enables unique commute options including ferry service, while high remote work rates reduce transportation needs for many residents.
Unique Ferry Access — Ferry ridership higher than 99.6% of US neighborhoods provides distinctive waterfront commute option, likely to San Francisco Bay Area employment centers.
Remote Work Hub — Exceptional remote work rates (33.5%) suggest many residents in creative or tech economy can work from this desirable location.
Multi-Modal Options — Combination of driving, ferry, and train options provides flexibility for reaching various Bay Area employment centers despite longer commute times.
| 45-60 Minutes | 35.3% |
|---|---|
| Drive Alone | 46.5% |
| Ferry Commute | 2.4% |
| Train Commute | 7.1% |
Homes for sale near 94501
For-sale listings in this zip code. Open a property in HoodScore to run a safety report.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Fernside so expensive?
The median home price of $1,650,725 reflects the combination of waterfront location, historic character (75.3% of homes built before 1940), and exceptional wealth concentration (wealthier than 98.3% of US neighborhoods).
What's special about the historic homes?
75.3% of residential real estate was built in 1939 or earlier, creating a greater concentration of historic homes than 99.3% of US neighborhoods. This provides unique architectural character and charm.
Who lives in Fernside?
The neighborhood attracts 'urban sophisticates' (higher than 99.4% of US) - wealthy, educated residents with urbane tastes in arts and culture. 74.6% work in executive, management, and professional occupations.
How does the waterfront location affect lifestyle?
The coastal setting provides nautical character with waterfront amenities and recreation. It also enables unique commute options like ferry service (2.4% of residents) and contributes to the neighborhood's high walkability ranking.