D+
5%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
16%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
9%
Property crime NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects the 2022 calendar year and was released from the FBI in September, 2023; this is the most current data available.
StatisticReportedincidents/100k peopleMesa/100k peopleArizona/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime11,274n/a (estimate)2,1972,4892,324
Murder27n/a5.36.86.3
Rape245n/a47.744.140.0
Robbery311n/a60.670.166.1
Assault1,610n/a313.8310.5268.2
Violent crime2,193n/a (estimate)427432370
Burglary1,098n/a214.0271.0269.8
Theft6,918n/a1,348.21,542.41,401.9
Vehicle theft1,065n/a207.6244.2282.7
Property crime9,081n/a (estimate)1,7702,0581,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Mesa, AZ

The Mesa crime rates are 5.5% lower than the national average. There are two main categories of crime - violent crime and property crime. Violent crime consists of murder, rape, robbery and assault, while property crimes include burglary, theft and vehicle theft. There were a total of 2193 violent crimes in Mesa (427 per 100,000 people), which is 15.6% higher than the national average and there were a total of 9081 property crimes (1770 per 100,000 residents) which is 9.5% lower than average.

In terms of the total Mesa crime rate per 100,000 people, it falls within the midrange when compared to other cities across the United States. Our analysis of total crimes, encompassing both violent and property offenses in Mesa, revealed that the reported crime rates closely align with the nationwide average reported by other areas.

Mesa exhibits a property crime rate closely aligned with the national average. There were 1770 reported property crimes, which closely matches the national average of 1954 per 100,000 people. Consequently, the area's safety profile mirrors that of an average city, neither notably safer nor more dangerous than the norm. This balance suggests that Mesa maintains a consistent approach to property crime prevention in line with the broader national landscape.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Mesa?

What is the prevailing sentiment among Mesa residents regarding the state of crime? A comprehensive survey conducted by AreaVibes, involving 126 respondents, sheds light on this matter. The results were as follows: 40% of Mesa residents expressed a notable sense of security, asserting that crime was virtually non-existent in their community, and they felt at ease strolling the streets after dark. While, 60% of those surveyed held a contrasting viewpoint, perceiving a higher incidence of crime, leading them to feel apprehensive about walking alone at night.

Is Mesa a Safe Place to Live?

Is Mesa a safe place to live? While the answer may not be straightforward due to variations in safety levels across the city, gaining an understanding of the overall crime rate can prove to be advantageous. In general, Mesa has a crime rate that is lower than the national average by 5%. Breaking this down on a daily basis, it translates to 30.89 daily incidents, encompassing 6.01 violent crimes and 24.88 property crimes. Evaluating these statistics can aid in forming a more informed perspective on the safety of Mesa as a potential place to call home.

Has Crime in Mesa Increased Since Last Year?

Year-over-year crime rates in Mesa has decreased by 7.2% in the last reported crime report. Comparing crime rates from one year to another offers some insight into whether or not Mesa is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live. Crime rates are categorized by violent and property crime. Year-over-year violent crime has increased by 5.4%, while property crime has decreased by 9.9%. This analysis equips individuals with crucial information for making informed decisions about living in Mesa.

Mesa Neighborhood Crime Rates

There are more than 6 different neighborhoods in the Mesa area. Depending on their location and other socioeconomic factors, the rate of crime in each neighborhood is vastly different. Areas that are located near the center or downtown core, tend to be more densely populated and typically see higher crime rates. While neighborhoods in the outskirts of the city tend to be less densely populated and have lower unemployment and poverty rates. Some of the safer neighborhoods in Mesa include Southeast, Northeast and Central. While West Central, Southwest and Northwest have a reported crime rate that is higher than average. This reinforces the need to do a quality check on multiple neighborhoods as their crime rates can be quite different.

Potential Causes for Crime in Mesa

Regions characterized by high population density frequently encompass expansive urban hubs that offer diverse economic prospects. In such areas, income inequality can be exacerbated, creating pockets of poverty alongside affluence. Economic disparities within these regions may correlate with elevated property crimes and, in certain instances, violent crimes. Conversely, areas with low population density numbers generally exhibit reduced Mesa crime rates. Mesa registers a population density of 3666.7 people per square mile, in contrast to the national average of 90.6 people per square mile.

The median home price in Mesa is $245,500, compared to the national average of $184,700. High housing costs can lead to financial stress for residents. When individuals struggle to make ends meet due to expensive housing, they may be more inclined to engage in criminal activities to address their financial difficulties, such as theft or fraud. Communities with stable housing environments tend to foster stronger social bonds and community engagement. This can lead to increased vigilance and cooperation among residents, which can deter criminal behavior.

High rental costs can limit economic mobility, making it difficult for individuals to save money, invest in education, or access better job opportunities. This can perpetuate a cycle of poverty and increase the risk of involvement in criminal activities. In summary, high rental costs can create economic challenges, overcrowding, and neighborhood dynamics that may increase the likelihood of certain types of crime, particularly property crimes. In Mesa, the average rental rates are $1,105 per month, compared to the national average of $949.

Mesa crime map



The Mesa crime map provides a detailed overview of all crimes in Mesa as reported by the local law enforcement agencies. Based on the color coded legend above, the crime map outlines the areas with lower crime compared to the areas with higher crime. The Mesa crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the Mesa crime map does not always indicate that it is a dangerous area for its residents. Areas on the heat map could be inflated if they are located in high traffic areas like airports, sports centers or large parks. Other areas on the heat map could see increased crime rates if they are located in major tourist areas like the downtown core.
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Crime Quick Facts

  • Mesa crime rates are 5% lower than the national average
  • Violent crimes in Mesa are 16% higher than the national average
  • In Mesa you have a 1 in 46 chance of becoming a victim of crime
  • Mesa is safer than 25% of the cities in the United States
  • Year over year crime in Mesa has decreased by 7%

Mesa, AZ Crime Quiz

     

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        Daily Crime In Mesa (per 100,000 people)

        The graph above illustrates the number of daily crimes in Mesa, AZ per 100,000 people. In Mesa, the total number of daily crimes is 1.13 times less than the Arizona average and 1.06 times less than the national average. The number of daily violent crimes in Mesa is 1.01 times less than the Arizona average and 1.16 times more than the national average. With regards to property crimes, Mesa has a daily crime rate that is 1.16 times less than the Arizona average and 1.10 times less than the national average.

        How Safe is Mesa (higher is better)

        What are the odds that you'll be safer in Mesa, Arizona compared to other areas of Arizona, as well as the rest of America? When it comes down to it, is Mesa safe? In the graphs above, it shows that Mesa is safer than 33% of Arizona cities, and 25% compared to all other cities across America. These statistics are calculated by taking a closer look at each city's crime rate in Arizona, as well as the rest of the US. It is then determined which cities see less crime than Mesa. At this time, Mesa sees a below average rate of crime in comparison to other United States cities.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Mesa

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Mesa is 1 in 234
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Mesa is 1 in 57
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Mesa is 1 in 46
        Wondering what the chances are that you fall victim to a crime in Mesa? In Mesa, AZ you have a 1 in 234 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime. Violent crimes include murder, rape, robbery and assault. With regards to property crime, you have a 1 in 57 chance of becoming a victim. Property crimes include burglary, theft and motor vehicle theft. Overall, you have a 1 in 46 chance of becoming a victim of crime in Mesa.

        Year Over Year Crime In Mesa (per 100,000 people)

        The year over year change in crime per 100,000 people helps to understand whether crime in Mesa, AZ is on the rise or declining. The violent crime rate in Mesa has increased by 5%, while the property crime rate in Mesa has decreased by 10% year over year. Summing up the numbers, Mesa has decreased by 7% with regards to total crimes year over year.

        Mesa police department

        Item Mesa Arizona National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)1,17412,274558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents2.63.13.3
        There are a total of 1,174 Mesa police officers. This results in 2.6 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 16.1% less than the Arizona average and 20% less than the National average.

        Sex offenders in Arizona

        State Total offenders Arizona /100K National /100K
        Arizona8,206157266
        There are a total of 8,206 sex offenders in Arizona. This yields a total of 157 sex offenders in Arizona per 100,000 residents which is 41% less than the national average.

        Nearby Cities With Low Crime Rates

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Fountain Hills, AZ25,1671818641,046
        Gilbert, AZ248,3491171,0171,133
        Queen Creek, AZ52,1621459931,138
        Scottsdale, AZ254,9952331,1111,345
        Maricopa Colony, AZ8182351,1191,353
        Sun Lakes, AZ14,8872441,1601,404
        Paradise Valley, AZ14,502951,4291,524
        Mesa, AZ508,9184271,7702,197

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Sacramento, CA503,4829023,1674,069
        Atlanta, GA497,6428413,7484,589
        Fresno, CA526,1478653,4494,314
        Kansas City, MO491,1581,4814,7156,197
        Omaha, NE479,5295613,4684,029
        Mesa, AZ508,9184271,7702,197
        Source: The Mesa, AZ crime data displayed above is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reports for the year of 2022. The crime report encompasses more than 18,000 city and state law enforcement agencies reporting data on property and violent crimes. The uniform crime reports program represents approximately 309 million American residents, which results in 98% coverage of metropolitan statistical areas.