Upper Center / Columbia
Is Upper Center / Columbia a Safe Place to Live? Housing, Crime & Buyer Guide
Explore safety, home prices, commute patterns, and neighborhood insights in Castro Valley, CA - 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)
Severe356
Medium162
Low828
Other2814
202 Registered Offenders Nearby
Rape59
Child involved137
Assault35
Other19
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, fire crews are dispatched for a reported illegal burn near 84th Avenue in Oakland after a corrected location update. | 84th Ave, Oakland, CA | Fire |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, a female was reported sitting on the curb near the fire station at Main Street in Hayward. Emergency personnel located her across the street from the firehouse. Police response was also requested. | Main St, Hayward, CA 94541 | Medical Emergency |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, an emergency medical call for general illness was reported near Main Street and D Street. | D St & Main St, Hayward, CA 94541 | Medical Emergency |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, radio traffic describes a possible burglar alarm activation at a swim center near Sunset and Inverness. Multiple ranger units indicate they are en route and coordinating their arrival times. | Laurel Ave, Hayward, CA 94541 | Fire |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, emergency units are responding code 3 to a possible chest pain medical incident near Montgomery Street and Sunset Boulevard in Hayward, California. | Sunset Blvd & Montgomery St, Hayward, CA 94541 | Medical Emergency |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, a medical emergency was reported near Sunset Boulevard and Montgomery Street. Fire engine 1 was dispatched to the scene. | Sunset Blvd & Montgomery St, Hayward, CA 94541 | Medical Emergency |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, responders are investigating a possible medical emergency involving a semi-conscious individual acting strangely near Hayward Station. | Hayward Station, Hayward, CA 94541 | Medical Emergency |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, eMS responded to a medical emergency involving eye problems near Earl Street crossing Earl Street Drive in Oakland. The situation was coded as a level two dispatch. | Earl St, Oakland, CA 94605 | Medical Emergency |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, a medical emergency involving psychiatric issues was reported near Somerset Avenue in Castro Valley. Emergency personnel were dispatched with a code two response. | Somerset Ave, Castro Valley, CA 94546 | Medical Emergency |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, a medical emergency involved an adult male transported to Eden Hospital near Lake Chabot Road. The man's age is estimated between 25 and 30 years and he may be (person_name withheld). No further incident details are provided. | Lake Chabot Rd, Castro Valley, CA 94546 | Medical Emergency |
For all crime details - View Safety Report
Median Home Price
$1,281,113
Average Rent
$4,378
Vacancy Rate
1.9%
Nearby neighborhoods
Overview
Upper Center / Columbia is a suburban neighborhood in Castro Valley, CA, featuring mostly medium to large single-family homes and apartments. The area is well-established with many homes built between 1940 and 1969.
This neighborhood is notably family-friendly and wealthy, with top public schools, low crime, and a strong sense of community. It also has a unique cultural mix, including a high share of Chinese speakers and residents with Yugoslav and Portuguese ancestry.
SuburbanFamily-FriendlyWealthyDiverse Languages
Quick Facts
| Bicycle Commute Rate | 3.3% |
|---|---|
| Vacancy Rate | 1.9% |
Housing market and real estate character
Upper Center / Columbia's housing market features mostly owner-occupied medium to large single-family homes and apartments, with a tight supply reflected in a low vacancy rate.
| Owner Occupied Rate | High |
|---|---|
| Housing Type | Medium to large single-family homes and apartments |
| Housing Age | Many homes built 1940-1969, some 1970-1999 |
What buyers will notice right away
Low vacancy rate indicates strong demand and limited availability.
Many homes built mid-20th century, offering mature community character.
Families & Lifestyle
This neighborhood is among the most family-friendly in California, with a strong community, excellent schools, and a high share of college-educated parents.
Top public schools and low crime support family life.
High owner occupancy fosters community stability.
A high number of college-educated parents influences academic success.
Urban Sophisticates — Appeals to professionals valuing culture and community.
Active Commuters — High bicycle commuting rate reflects active lifestyle.
| Family-Friendly Rank | Top 1.9% in California |
|---|---|
| Executive & Professional Occupations | 58.3% |
| Child Poverty Rate | 7.7% |
Demographics
| College Educated Rate | High |
|---|---|
| Executive & Professional Share | 58.3% |
| Wealth Rank | Top 3.2% in U.S. |
| Foreign Born Rate | 20.4% |
| Top Languages | ["English 70.6%","Chinese 19.3%","Spanish"] |
| Top Ancestries | ["Asian 31.8%","English 11.6%","Italian 7.8%","Mexican 7.5%","German 7.4%","Yugoslav 1.3%","Portuguese 3.1%"] |
Commute
Most residents drive alone, but the neighborhood stands out for its high bicycle commuting rate, reflecting an active community.
Upper Center / Columbia offers a mix of typical suburban car commuting with an unusually high share of bicycle commuters, indicating options for active transportation.
Active Transportation — 3.3% bicycle commuters is exceptional nationally.
Car Dependency — Majority still drive alone, typical for suburban areas.
Longer Commutes — Many residents have commutes between 45 minutes and one hour.
| Drive Alone Rate | 66.1% |
|---|---|
| Carpool Rate | 6.2% |
| Bicycle Commute Rate | 3.3% |
| Main Commute Time Range | 45-60 minutes |
Homes for sale near 94546
For-sale listings in this zip code. Open a property in HoodScore to run a safety report.
$1,169,990
4 bd | 4 ba | 1,714 sqft
3824-3824A Norbridge Ave
Castro Valley, CA, 94546
$1,159,990
4 bd | 4 ba | 1,714 sqft
3818-3818A Northridge Ave
Castro Valley, CA, 94546
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Upper Center / Columbia good for families?
Yes, it ranks more family-friendly than 98.1% of California neighborhoods with top schools and low crime.
What is the typical home price?
The median home price is $1,281,113, higher than 74.0% of California neighborhoods.
How diverse is the neighborhood?
It has a significant Asian population and a high share of Chinese speakers, with 20.4% foreign-born residents.