Crime in Santa Maria, California

Property crime

The vast majority of crimes in America are property crimes, accounting for 85% of total crimes in 2018. In Santa Maria, however, property crimes account for only about 80% of all offenses.

Property crime is less prevalent in Santa Maria than it is nationwide. There were 1,932 property crimes in Santa Maria in 2018, or 1,787 for every 100,000 residents. Meanwhile, the national property crime rate is 2,200 incidents per 100,000 people.

Larceny

Larceny is by far the most common type of property crime in the U.S. It is also the most commonly committed type of property crime in Santa Maria. There were 979 larcenies reported in Santa Maria in 2018, or 906 for every 100,000 people. Nationwide, the larceny rate is 1,595 per 100,000.

Burglary

There were 377 break-ins reported in Santa Maria in 2018, or 349 for every 100,000 residents. For reference, there were 327 reported burglaries for every 100,000 people nationwide in 2018.

Motor Vehicle Theft

Across the United States, the annual motor vehicle theft rate is 229 for every 100,000 people. In Santa Maria, meanwhile, there were 576 motor vehicle thefts in 2018, or 533 for every 100,000 people.

Violent crime

Violent crime accounts for a relatively small share of crimes nationwide. These offenses, which are generally more egregious than property crimes, account for about 15% of the more than 8.4 million offenses reported across the U.S. in 2018. In Santa Maria, however, violent offenses account for a larger 20% share of all reported crime.

At 460 incidents for every 100,000 people, the violent crime rate in Santa Maria is above the national violent crime rate of 381 offenses per 100,000 people. Law enforcement in Santa Maria reported a total of 497 violent crimes in 2018.

Aggravated Assault

Aggravated assault is by far the most common type of violent crime reported in the U.S. It is also the most commonly reported violent offense in Santa Maria. There were 272 aggravated assaults reported in Santa Maria in 2018, or 252 for every 100,000 people. Nationwide, the rate is slightly lower, standing at 247 aggravated assaults per 100,000 people.

Robbery

Robbery is the second most common type of violent crime in America. There were 159 robberies reported in Santa Maria in 2018, a rate of 147 robberies for every 100,000 residents. For comparison, the national robbery rate was 86 per 100,000 in 2018.

Rape

There were 60 rapes reported in Santa Maria in 2018, or 56 for every 100,000 people. Nationwide, there were 139,380 rapes in 2018, a rate of 43 per 100,000 people.

Murder

There were 6 homicides committed in the city in 2018. Adjusted for population, the murder rate in Santa Maria is 5.6 murders for every 100,000 people, higher than the national murder rate of 5 per 100,000 people.