Lake Merritt North, Oakland

Is Lake Merritt North a Safe Place to Live? Housing, Crime & Buyer Guide

Explore safety, home prices, commute patterns, and neighborhood insights in Oakland, California - so you can decide with confidence before buying or renting.

Most buyers only see the home. Smart buyers check the neighborhood first.

Hoodscore
18

Crime Summary:

Crime Overview (last 12 months)

Severe1132
Medium557
Low1980
Other7022

178 Registered Offenders Nearby

Rape63
Child involved118
Assault31
Other13

Crime Details:

Recent reported incidents in the past 12 months (newest first). Up to 10 records.

Crime dateCrime descriptionAddressCrime category
Jul 16, 2026As 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 94501Medical Emergency
Jul 16, 2026As 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 94501Medical Emergency
Jul 16, 2026As discussed during the dispatch call, a medical call for a 38-year-old male with chest pain at a church; unit 356 was dispatched to respond.Church St, Oakland, CAMedical Emergency
Jul 16, 2026As 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 94606Medical Emergency
Jul 16, 2026As discussed during the dispatch call, a medical emergency is reported near Austin Way and Shattuck Avenue, with possible location at 2201 Shattuck Avenue. Engine 2 and Medic 2 are responding.Shattuck Ave., Berkeley, CA 94704Medical Emergency
Jul 16, 2026As discussed during the dispatch call, emergency units dispatched to a medical emergency near Austin Way and Shattuck Avenue.Shattuck Ave., Berkeley, CAMedical Emergency
Jul 16, 2026As 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 94610Medical Emergency
Jul 16, 2026As 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 94610Medical Emergency
Jul 16, 2026As discussed during the dispatch call, a medical emergency was reported near Pine Avenue and Webster Street in Berkeley, with Engine 3 and Medic 3 assigned and units instructed to stage.Pine Ave, Berkeley, CA 94705Medical Emergency
Jul 16, 2026As 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 94610Medical Emergency

For all crime details - View Safety Report

Median Home Price
$700,522
Average Rent
$3,976
Vacancy Rate
10.8%

Overview

Lake Merritt North is a densely urban neighborhood in Oakland, CA, known for its predominance of small apartments and high-rise buildings.

The area has a high renter occupancy rate and a notable vacancy rate, indicating many unoccupied units year-round.

Dense UrbanHigh Renter OccupancySmall Apartment Focus

Quick Facts

Renter Occupancy88.2%

Housing market and real estate character

Lake Merritt North's housing stock is dominated by small to medium apartments, mostly renter-occupied, with many units built between 1940 and 1969.

Small Unit Share (1-2 bedrooms or less)95.8%
Apartment Complexes/High-Rises95.5%
Renter Occupied88.2%
Vacancy Rate10.8%

What buyers will notice right away

The neighborhood's housing is almost entirely small apartments and high-rises, rare among U.S. neighborhoods.
Vacancy is above average, possibly due to weak demand or new construction not yet occupied.

Families & Lifestyle

Lake Merritt North has a diverse population with a notable share of same-sex couples and a high rate of residents working from home.

Creative & Tech Economy — High work-from-home rate suggests many residents engage in creative or tech jobs.
Bike-Friendly Commute — 3.5% bike to work, more than 96.7% of U.S. neighborhoods.
Same-Sex Partner Households1.9%
Work From Home Rate36.3%

Demographics

Executive, Management & Professional Occupations59.5%
Foreign Born23.8%
Welsh Ancestry2.5%
Sub-Saharan African Ancestry12.6%
Japanese Language Speakers1.3%

Commute

Most residents have short to moderate commutes, with a significant share working from home or using alternative transportation.

Lake Merritt North offers diverse commute options with a strong presence of remote work and public transit use.

High Remote Work — Over a third of residents work from home, well above national averages.
Public Transit Access — Train commuting is common, supporting transit-oriented lifestyles.
Active Transportation — Bicycling to work is more prevalent than in most U.S. neighborhoods.
Work From Home36.3%
Train Commute12.6%
Bike Commute3.5%
Drive Alone31.9%

Homes for sale near 94610

For-sale listings in this zip code. Open a property in HoodScore to run a safety report.

$795,000
2 bd | 2 ba | 1,810 sqft
525 Mandana Blvd APT 402
Oakland, CA, 94613
View Safety Report
$2,985,000
3 bd | 3 ba | 3,100 sqft
1675 Trestle Glen Rd
Oakland, CA, 94613
View Safety Report
$429,000
2 bd | 1 ba | 872 sqft
199 Montecito Ave APT 105
Oakland, CA, 94613
View Safety Report
$368,888
1 bd | 1 ba | 1,149 sqft
444 Merritt Ave APT 202
Oakland, CA, 94613
View Safety Report
$399,500
2 bd | 2 ba | 920 sqft
320 Park View Ter Unit 207
Oakland, CA, 94610
View Safety Report
$479,000
1 bd | 1 ba | 643 sqft
427 Lagunitas Ave APT 305
Oakland, CA, 94610
View Safety Report

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the typical home price in Lake Merritt North?

The median home price is $700,522, more expensive than about one-third of California neighborhoods.

Is Lake Merritt North a renter-heavy neighborhood?

Yes, 88.2% of housing is renter-occupied, among the highest rates nationally.

How do most residents commute to work?

Many work from home (36.3%), with others using trains, biking, or driving alone.

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