Santa Cruz, CA Crime Statistics
Crime Overview
The Santa Cruz Police Department serves the city of Santa Cruz, CA in Santa Cruz County. Over the past five years (2019-2024), the city recorded 3,766 violent crimes and 9,072 property crimes. The average violent crime rate stands at 139.3 per 100k residents, which is 31.1% above the national average. Property crime averages 150.6 per 100k, 7.9% below the national average. The most common offense was Property Crime, while Burglary had the lowest rate. Over the same period, the city also reported 41 hate crime incidents, with motivations including race, religion, and sexual orientation. Data is sourced from the FBI Crime Data Explorer and reflects totals from the most recent five-year period.
Violent Crimes
Violent Crime
Grade DRobbery
Grade FAggravated Assault
Grade BProperty Crimes
Property Crime
Grade CBurglary
Grade ALarceny
Grade CMotor Vehicle Theft
Grade ACrime Summary
| Crime Type | Annual Rate (per 100k residents) | Grade | Total Incidents (2019-2023) | National Avg | % Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 139.3 | D | 3766 | 106.2 | +31.1% |
| Property Crime | 150.6 | C | 9072 | 163.6 | -7.9% |
| Robbery | 12.9 | F | 407 | 5.8 | +122.6% |
| Aggravated Assault | 19.4 | B | 1015 | 22.3 | -12.7% |
| Burglary | 6.5 | A | 988 | 24.0 | -73.0% |
| Larceny | 127.9 | C | 7170 | 116.4 | +9.9% |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 11.3 | A | 760 | 22.2 | -48.9% |
Crime Trends
Hate Crimes by Bias Motivation
Total reported hate crimes: 41 (2019-2023)
| Targeted Group | Incidents |
|---|---|
| Anti-Arab | 1 |
| Anti-Asian | 1 |
| Anti-White | 1 |
| Anti-Jewish | 2 |
| Anti-Gay (Male) | 9 |
| Anti-Transgender | 3 |
| Anti-Other Religion | 1 |
| Anti-Islamic (Muslim) | 1 |
| Anti-Hispanic or Latino | 2 |
| Anti-Gender Non-Conforming | 2 |
| Anti-Multiple Races, Group | 2 |
| Anti-Black or African American | 12 |
| Anti-Other Race/Ethnicity/Ancestry | 1 |
| Anti-American Indian or Alaska Native | 1 |
| Anti-Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, or Transgender (Mixed Group) | 2 |
Nearby Cities
| City | Distance | Violent Crime | Property Crime | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Watsonville | 3 miles | B 93.2 | C 155.3 | Violent: 33.1% lower Property: 3.1% higher |
| Capitola | 4 miles | A 42.0 | A 31.5 | Violent: 69.9% lower Property: 79.1% lower |
| Scotts Valley | 6 miles | A 58.4 | C 150.1 | Violent: 58.1% lower Property: 0.3% lower |
| Monte Sereno | 18 miles | N/A 0.0 | N/A 0.0 | Violent: N/A Property: N/A |
| Campbell | 23 miles | C 120.4 | D 255.2 | Violent: 13.6% lower Property: 69.5% higher |