| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Santa Maria/100k people | California/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 3,751 | n/a (estimate) | 3,425 | 2,843 | 2,324 |
| Murder | 10 | n/a | 9.1 | 5.7 | 6.3 |
| Rape | 74 | n/a | 67.6 | 37.4 | 40.0 |
| Robbery | 209 | n/a | 190.8 | 123.5 | 66.1 |
| Assault | 419 | n/a | 382.6 | 332.8 | 268.2 |
| Violent crime | 712 | n/a (estimate) | 650 | 500 | 370 |
| Burglary | 393 | n/a | 358.8 | 371.9 | 269.8 |
| Theft | 1,504 | n/a | 1,373.3 | 1,499.3 | 1,401.9 |
| Vehicle theft | 1,142 | n/a | 1,042.8 | 471.9 | 282.7 |
| Property crime | 3,039 | n/a (estimate) | 2,775 | 2,343 | 1,954 |
Looking at the most recent crime report, the crime rate in Santa Maria is 47.4% higher than the national average. These crimes fall into two primary categories: violent and property. Violent crimes encompass murder, rape, robbery and assault, while property crimes involve theft, vehicle theft and burglary. In Santa Maria, there were 712 reported violent crimes, equivalent to 650 per 100,000 individuals, 75.8% higher than the national average. Additionally, there were 3039 property crimes, amounting to 2775 per 100,000 residents, 42% higher than the U.S. average.
Recently, vehicle thefts have seen an upward trend across the United States, and Santa Maria ranks among the cities with the highest vehicle theft rates in the country. Last year, there were 1142 vehicle thefts, amounting to 1043 stolen vehicles per 100,000 residents. This places Santa Maria within the worst 10% of all cities, indicating that 90% of cities fare better in terms of vehicle theft rates. The likelihood of your vehicle being stolen stands at 1 in 96.
AreaVibes has conducted polls asking local residents if they feel safe living in Santa Maria. Based on the results of the surveys (38 responses), 34% of people felt that there was very little crime in Santa Maria and felt safe walking alone at night. While 66% of people felt that it was not a safe place to live and did not feel safe walking alone at night.
Determining whether Santa Maria is a place to live may not always yield a simple answer, given the city's varying safety levels across different areas. Nonetheless, comprehending the city's overall crime rate can be a valuable asset. In broad terms, Santa Maria has an overall crime rate that is 47% higher than the national average. When we take a look at crime on a daily basis, this translates into 10.28 daily occurrences, comprising 1.95 violent crimes and 8.33 property crimes. Scrutinizing these statistics provides a foundation for a more informed assessment of the suitability of Santa Maria as a potential place to establish residency.
In the most recent crime report, year-over-year crime rates in Santa Maria has increased by 13.5%. Examining the change in crime rates from one year to the next provides valuable insights into the evolving safety landscape of Santa Maria, aiding residents in assessing whether it is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live. These crime rates are categorized into two primary groups: violent and property crimes. Year-over-year, violent crime has decreased by 14.6%, while property crime has increased by 22.9%. This comprehensive analysis offers potential residents essential information for making informed decisions about whether or not Santa Maria is a safe place to live.
In Santa Maria, the poverty rate currently stands at 12.7%, which contrasts with the national average of 15.1%. It's essential to recognize that the economic status of a city's inhabitants could be a pivotal factor influencing crime stats. Communities grappling with high poverty rates and income inequality are often susceptible to elevated crime levels, as some individuals may turn to unlawful activities to fulfill their essential needs. While lower poverty rates could lead to a reduction in Santa Maria crime rates.
In areas where employment options are limited or where a significant proportion of jobs offer meager wages, the likelihood of heightened unemployment and homelessness increases. Regions facing challenges related to unemployment or inadequate income may become more vulnerable to a surge in crime stemming from economic instability. While low unemployment rates tend to lead to reduced crime in most areas. Santa Maria currently has an unemployment rate of 3.8%, contrasting with the national average of 4.7%. This could be one of many factors that could contribute to a higher or lower crime rate.
The quality of housing and neighborhood conditions can influence crime rates. Neglected or run-down neighborhoods with poorly maintained properties may be more susceptible to criminal activities. In areas with housing affordability challenges, crime can emerge as a prominent issue. Certain individuals and families may find themselves residing in cramped or inadequate housing settings, amplifying stress levels and potentially fostering domestic conflicts and associated criminal incidents. It's worth noting that the median home price in Santa Maria stands at $359,700, a contrast to the national average of $184,700.
| Item | Santa Maria | California | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 136 | 51,506 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 1.3 | 3.6 | 3.3 |
| State | Total offenders | California /100K | National /100K |
| California | 79,891 | 232 | 266 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Woodlands, CA | 2,331 | 70 | 329 | 399 |
| Callender, CA | 1,638 | 105 | 494 | 600 |
| Los Alamos, CA | 1,275 | 196 | 916 | 1,112 |
| Guadalupe, CA | 7,654 | 56 | 1,170 | 1,226 |
| Blacklake, CA | 797 | 286 | 1,342 | 1,628 |
| Arroyo Grande, CA | 17,924 | 498 | 1,444 | 1,941 |
| Grover Beach, CA | 13,481 | 259 | 2,247 | 2,506 |
| Santa Maria, CA | 105,528 | 650 | 2,775 | 3,425 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Davie, FL | 105,594 | 221 | 1,334 | 1,555 |
| Columbia, MD | 105,412 | 335 | 1,375 | 1,709 |
| League City, TX | 105,410 | 108 | 1,285 | 1,393 |
| West Covina, CA | 105,808 | 405 | 2,308 | 2,712 |
| Tyler, TX | 105,859 | 530 | 2,327 | 2,857 |
| Santa Maria, CA | 105,528 | 650 | 2,775 | 3,425 |
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