| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Santa Maria/100k people | California/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 2,799 | n/a (estimate) | 2,543 | 2,564 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 3 | n/a | 2.7 | 4.5 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 75 | n/a | 68.1 | 36.6 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 191 | n/a | 173.5 | 119.1 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 458 | n/a | 416.2 | 325.8 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 727 | n/a (estimate) | 661 | 486 | 359 |
| Burglary | 344 | n/a | 312.6 | 305.8 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 1,265 | n/a | 1,149.4 | 1,345.2 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 463 | n/a | 420.7 | 427.5 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 2,072 | n/a (estimate) | 1,883 | 2,078 | 1,760 |
The Santa Maria crime rates are 20% higher 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 727 violent crimes in Santa Maria (661 per 100,000 people), which is 84% higher than the national average and there were a total of 2072 property crimes (1883 per 100,000 residents) which is 7% higher than average.
Santa Maria maintains a property crime rate that closely resembles the national norm. In Santa Maria, 1883 property crimes were reported, aligning with the national average of 1760 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.
Vehicle thefts across all of America are on the rise and Santa Maria has one of the highest vehicle theft rates in the country. In the most recent crime report, Santa Maria reported 463 vehicle thefts, which equates to 421 stolen vehicles per 100,000 people. This falls in the bottom 10% of all cities, meaning that 90% of cities have better vehicle theft rates. The chance of having your vehicle stolen in Santa Maria is 1 in 238.
AreaVibes conducted surveys inquiring about the safety perception of Santa Maria residents. Out of the respondents (38 in total), 34% expressed a strong sense of security, believing that crime rates in Santa Maria were low, and they felt comfortable walking alone at night. Conversely, 66% held a contrasting viewpoint, expressing concerns about safety in the area and feeling uncomfortable walking alone during the nighttime hours.
To determine if Santa Maria 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 Maria has a total crime rate that is 20% higher than the national average per 100,000 residents. This results in a total of 7.67 daily crimes (1.99 violent daily crimes and 5.68 daily property crimes) in Santa Maria.
Examining year-over-year crime data provides insights into short-term trends with regards to the crime activity in Santa Maria. This analysis involves comparing crime rates from one year to the next, enabling the identification of patterns and fluctuations in crime. Such information proves invaluable to residents seeking to make well-informed decisions about their choice of residence. In the most recent year, compared to the previous one, total crime in Santa Maria has decreased by 15.3%. Specifically, violent crime has decreased by 12.8%, while property crime has decreased by 16.2%. This data empowers individuals with a clearer understanding of the evolving safety landscape in Santa Maria.
Highly populated regions typically encompass expansive urban hubs teeming with diverse economic prospects. Within these areas, income inequality can be exacerbated, giving rise to enclaves of poverty amid affluence. Communities marked by economic disparities may contend with heightened property crimes, and in certain instances, violent crimes. Conversely, regions characterized by low population density often exhibit lower Santa Maria crime rates. For instance, in Santa Maria, the population density stands at 4795.4 people per square mile, diverging from the national average of 90.6 people per square mile.
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 Maria, 56.4% of residents have successfully graduated from high school, in contrast to the national average where 83% have achieved high school graduation.
In Santa Maria, the ratio of police officers and civilians stands at 1.34 per 1,000 residents, contrasting with the national average of 3.25. This discrepancy highlights the potential impact of law enforcement and community policing on crime rates. The strength of their collaboration can serve as a deterrent to criminal behavior, fostering a safer environment. Effective law enforcement leans heavily on community policing strategies that prioritize the cultivation of trust and cooperation between police and residents. It's essential to recognize that the effectiveness of these efforts isn't solely tied to the quantity of officers but also hinges on the quality of their engagement with the community.
Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.
| 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 | 2,417 | 76 | 326 | 402 |
| Callender, CA | 1,672 | 97 | 415 | 511 |
| Los Alamos, CA | 1,326 | 100 | 429 | 530 |
| Guadalupe, CA | 7,848 | 91 | 491 | 582 |
| Arroyo Grande, CA | 18,441 | 198 | 754 | 952 |
| Blacklake, CA | 815 | 196 | 840 | 1,036 |
| Los Berros, CA | 308 | 239 | 1,024 | 1,263 |
| Santa Maria, CA | 109,248 | 661 | 1,883 | 2,543 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Davie, FL | 109,448 | 123 | 653 | 776 |
| West Covina, CA | 109,502 | 239 | 2,098 | 2,338 |
| Tyler, TX | 109,766 | 391 | 1,914 | 2,305 |
| San Tan Valley, AZ | 108,601 | 408 | 1,734 | 2,143 |
| Highlands Ranch, CO | 110,471 | 219 | 1,193 | 1,412 |
| Santa Maria, CA | 109,248 | 661 | 1,883 | 2,543 |
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