| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Santa Barbara/100k people | California/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 2,195 | n/a (estimate) | 2,500 | 2,843 | 2,324 |
| Murder | 3 | n/a | 3.4 | 5.7 | 6.3 |
| Rape | 45 | n/a | 51.2 | 37.4 | 40.0 |
| Robbery | 80 | n/a | 91.1 | 123.5 | 66.1 |
| Assault | 272 | n/a | 309.7 | 332.8 | 268.2 |
| Violent crime | 400 | n/a (estimate) | 455 | 500 | 370 |
| Burglary | 226 | n/a | 257.4 | 371.9 | 269.8 |
| Theft | 1,400 | n/a | 1,594.2 | 1,499.3 | 1,401.9 |
| Vehicle theft | 169 | n/a | 192.4 | 471.9 | 282.7 |
| Property crime | 1,795 | n/a (estimate) | 2,044 | 2,343 | 1,954 |
When we analyze the latest crime report, the Santa Barbara crime rate is 7.5% higher than the national average. These incidents are classified into two primary categories: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes include assault, robbery, rape and murder. Whereas property crimes encompass theft, vehicle theft and burglary. In the case of Santa Barbara, there were 400 reported violent crimes, equivalent to 455 per 100,000 individuals, 23.2% higher than the national average. Additionally, Santa Barbara recorded 1795 property crimes, amounting to 2044 per 100,000 residents, 4.6% higher than the U.S. average.
When assessing the total crime rate in Santa Barbara per 100,000 people, it stands in the median range among all cities with reported crime data. Our analysis of total incidents, encompassing both violent and property crimes within Santa Barbara, underscores the close alignment of reported crime rates with the national average as reported by other areas.
Santa Barbara maintains a property crime rate that closely resembles the national norm. In Santa Barbara, 2044 property crimes were reported, aligning with the national average of 1954 per 100,000 individuals. Consequently, the area's safety profile stands on par with the average city, neither significantly safer nor more dangerous. This consistency underscores a balanced commitment to community safety and security, providing residents with a stable and reassuring living environment.
AreaVibes conducted surveys inquiring about the safety perception of Santa Barbara residents. Out of the respondents (79 in total), 57% expressed a strong sense of security, believing that crime rates in Santa Barbara were low, and they felt comfortable walking alone at night. Conversely, 43% held a contrasting viewpoint, expressing concerns about safety in the area and feeling uncomfortable walking alone during the nighttime hours.
To determine if Santa Barbara is a safe place to live, let's take a look at the overall crime rate of the area, as well as the number of daily crimes. Santa Barbara has a total crime rate that is 8% higher than the national average per 100,000 residents. This results in a total of 6.01 daily crimes (1.1 violent daily crimes and 4.92 daily property crimes) in Santa Barbara.
Year-over-year crime data allows residents and potential residents to assess the crime in Santa Barbara. A decrease in crime rates may indicate improving safety, while an increase could raise concerns. The year-over-year crime rate in Santa Barbara has decreased by 14.8%. Violent crimes have increased by 2.8%, while property crimes have decreased by 18%. By comparing crime rates from one year to the next, authorities and communities can identify trends and patterns in criminal activity. This helps in understanding whether crime is increasing, decreasing, or remaining stable over time.
There are more than 8 different neighborhoods in the Santa Barbara 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 Santa Barbara include Las Positas, Riviera and Mesa. While Waterfront, Downtown and Eastside 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.
Santa Barbara has a poverty rate of 12.3, while the national average is 15.1. In the past, there has been a direct correlation between high or low poverty rates and high or low crime stats. Elevated poverty levels and income disparities can contribute to heightened criminal activity, as individuals may resort to unlawful means to address their fundamental necessities. While lower poverty levels have led to a reduction in typical crime levels compared to other areas.
The educational level achieved in any given city can influence crime rates significantly. Greater educational achievement is frequently associated with decreased crime rates, as it offers individuals improved job prospects and alternatives to engaging in crime related activities. Conversely, lower educational attainment rates tend to coincide with elevated crime rates. In Santa Barbara, 83.6% of residents have successfully graduated from high school, in contrast to the national average where 83% have achieved high school graduation.
In Santa Barbara, the median home price stands at $1,082,300, diverging from the national average of $184,700. Elevated housing costs often induce financial strain among residents. When individuals grapple with the challenges of affording housing, they may find themselves compelled to resort to criminal activities as a means of addressing their financial hardships, including acts like theft or fraud. This predicament is particularly pronounced in areas where housing affordability poses a persistent issue, giving rise to heightened concerns regarding crime. In such instances, some individuals and families may find themselves constrained to reside in cramped or subpar housing conditions, exacerbating stress levels and potentially fostering domestic disputes and associated criminal incidents.
| Item | Santa Barbara | California | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 202 | 51,506 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 2.2 | 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 |
| Toro Canyon, CA | 1,918 | 70 | 329 | 399 |
| Summerland, CA | 745 | 70 | 329 | 399 |
| Mission Canyon, CA | 2,649 | 78 | 368 | 446 |
| Montecito, CA | 8,210 | 175 | 822 | 998 |
| Carpinteria, CA | 13,449 | 239 | 1,271 | 1,509 |
| Goleta, CA | 32,142 | 149 | 1,625 | 1,774 |
| Isla Vista, CA | 15,733 | 715 | 3,351 | 4,066 |
| Santa Barbara, CA | 90,911 | 455 | 2,044 | 2,500 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Westminster, CA | 90,857 | 397 | 2,972 | 3,369 |
| Bellingham, WA | 90,821 | 406 | 6,513 | 6,919 |
| Kirkland, WA | 91,146 | 116 | 2,363 | 2,479 |
| San Leandro, CA | 90,489 | 577 | 4,920 | 5,497 |
| Carson, CA | 91,354 | 474 | 2,744 | 3,218 |
| Santa Barbara, CA | 90,911 | 455 | 2,044 | 2,500 |
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