Santa Cruz, CA Crime Rates & Map

Buy Rent

F

Total crime 104%

Violent crime 57%

Property crime 113%

Date & Last Updated: This data reflects the 2019 calendar year and was released from the FBI in September, 2020; this is the most current data available.

Statistic	Reported_incidents	_{/100k people}	Santa Cruz_{/100k people}	California_{/100k people}	National_{/100k people}
Total crime	3,321	n/a (estimate)	5,089	2,772	2,489
Murder	0	n/a	0.0	4.3	5.0
Rape	29	n/a	44.4	37.5	42.6
Robbery	88	n/a	134.8	132.4	81.6
Assault	272	n/a	416.8	267.1	250.2
Violent crime	389	n/a (estimate)	596	441	379
Burglary	348	n/a	533.2	386.1	340.5
Theft	2,363	n/a	3,620.7	1,586.3	1,549.5
Vehicle theft	221	n/a	338.6	358.8	219.9
Property crime	2,932	n/a (estimate)	4,493	2,331	2,110

Key findings

Santa Cruz crime rates are 104% higher than the national average
Violent crimes in Santa Cruz are 57% higher than the national average
In Santa Cruz you have a 1 in 20 chance of becoming a victim of crime
Santa Cruz is safer than 8% of the cities in the United States
Year over year crime in Santa Cruz has increased by 1%

Santa Cruz crime map

Lower crime
Higher crime
No data available

Crime map data by SpotCrime. Sign up for local SpotCrime alerts.

The Santa Cruz crime map provides a detailed overview of all crimes in Santa Cruz as reported by the local law enforcement agency. Based on the color coded legend above, the crime map outlines the areas with lower crime compared to the areas with higher crime. The Santa Cruz crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level.

Safest Places to Live in and Around Santa Cruz

See all the best places to live around Santa Cruz

Compare Santa Cruz, CA Crime

See all Santa Cruz poll results

The best places in California

Here are the best places to live in California

These are the 10 most affordable cities in California

Check out the 10 safest cities in California

10 best cities to buy a new house in California

Daily Crime In Santa Cruz (per 100,000 people)

The graph above looks at the comparison of crimes committed in Santa Cruz on a daily basis (per 100,000 people) to crimes committed throughout the state of California and the USA. According to the latest crime statistics, daily crimes in Santa Cruz (which include property crimes as well as violent crimes), when compared to California, are 1.84 times more than the state average and 2.04 times more than than national average. Violent crimes committed in Santa Cruz on a daily basis are 1.35 times more than than California average and 1.57 times more than the average nationwide. Daily property crime rates in Santa Cruz are 1.93 times more than the daily state average and 2.13 times more than the daily national numbers.

How Safe is Santa Cruz (higher is better)

What are the odds that you'll be safer in Santa Cruz, California compared to other areas of California, as well as the rest of America? When it comes down to it, is Santa Cruz safe? In the graphs above, it shows that Santa Cruz is safer than 7% of California cities, and 8% compared to all other cities across America. These statistics are calculated by taking a closer look at each city's crime rate in California, as well as the rest of the US. It is then determined which cities see less crime than Santa Cruz. At this time, Santa Cruz sees a below average rate of crime in comparison to other United States cities.

Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Santa Cruz

The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Santa Cruz is 1 in 168

The chance of being a victim of property crime in Santa Cruz is 1 in 23

The chance of being a victim of crime in Santa Cruz is 1 in 20

Interested in knowing the odds that you will be a crime victim in Santa Cruz? In Santa Cruz, you have a 1 in 168 chance of falling victim to a violent crime, such as rape, robbery, assault, or even murder. In terms of property crime, your chances of being a victim are 1 in 23. These crimes include theft, vehicle theft, and burglary. Your overall chance of being a victim of crime in Santa Cruz, CA is 1 in 20.

Year Over Year Crime In Santa Cruz (per 100,000 people)

The year over year crime rate per 100,000 people for Santa Cruz is an accurate tool for tracking the rise and fall of crime, and in determining if living in Santa Cruz has become safer or more dangerous. The year over year data displayed in the graph shows that violent crimes have not changed in Santa Cruz, while property crimes in Santa Cruz have increased by 2%. Total crime has increased by 1% year over year.

Santa Cruz police department

Item	Santa Cruz	California	National
Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)	110	51,506	558,732
Police officers & civilians /1000 residents	1.8	3.6	3.3

There are a total of 110 Santa Cruz police officers. This results in 1.8 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 50% less than the California average and 44.5% less than the National average.

Sex offenders in California

State	Total offenders	California_/100K	National_/100K
California	79,891	232	266

There are a total of 79,891 sex offenders in California. This yields a total of 232 sex offenders in California per 100,000 residents which is 13% less than the national average.

Nearby Cities With Low Crime Rates

City, State	Population	Violent crime_{/100k people}	Property crime_{/100k people}	Total crime_{/100k people}
Pasatiempo, CA	1,288	62	327	389
Corralitos, CA	2,557	69	366	435
Lexington Hills, CA	2,617	69	366	435
La Selva Beach, CA	2,633	69	366	435
Aptos Hills-Larkin Valley, CA	2,288	76	402	478
Bonny Doon, CA	3,117	84	444	528
Day Valley, CA	3,739	84	444	528
Santa Cruz, CA	63,310	596	4,493	5,089

Cities with similar population

City, State	Population	Violent crime_{/100k people}	Property crime_{/100k people}	Total crime_{/100k people}
Florence-Graham, CA	63,390	758	4,005	4,762
Madera, CA	63,398	504	1,964	2,468
Eden Prairie, MN	63,206	80	1,081	1,161
Montebello, CA	63,416	284	2,311	2,595
West Hartford, CT	63,187	57	2,236	2,293
Santa Cruz, CA	63,310	596	4,493	5,089

Source: The Santa Cruz, CA crime data displayed above is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reports for the year of 2019. 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.

Santa Cruz, CA Crime

Find real estate listings

Find rental listings