Santa Ana is the county seat of Orange County, California, and is part of the Greater Los Angeles region of Southern California. Santa Ana was founded in 1869. It has a large Latino population, and the Latino cultural influence can be seen all over the city. Santa Ana is also a hub of arts and culture.
You might be wondering whether Santa Ana would be a safe place to live. The crime rate in Santa Ana is not far over the national average; even so, there are areas in Santa Ana you should avoid, as is true with any large city. There are many secure Santa Ana neighborhoods that you can choose from. Use this guide to crime in Santa Ana to find out which parts of the city you should avoid, where the safest neighborhoods are, and whether or not living in Santa Ana is right for you.
The FBI calculates Santa Ana crime statistics based on data collected by its law enforcement agencies around the country. The FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program collects data from more than 18,000 local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies across the country using the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS). The NIBRS is a more robust reporting system, capturing more detailed information than the previous SRS did.
Crime data is divided into two categories: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes are further divided into four groups: homicide, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault. Property crimes are also broken down into four groups: arson, burglary, theft, and motor vehicle theft.
According to the NIBRS, violent crimes in Santa Ana have risen from 1,313 reported violent crimes in 2011 to 1,429 in 2021, the numbers have dropped significantly from a reported 1,640 in 2017. Property crimes have remained fairly consistent over the last decade. In 2011 6,575 property crimes were reported, compared to 6,926 in 2021.
The FBI discourages comparing two cities’ crime rates and statistics to determine which is safer. Below is a list of some important factors that the crime statistics don’t take into account:
Here are the crime rate statistics for Santa Ana, according to the data released by the FBI for 2021:
Santa Ana crime rates compared to the national averages:
Santa Ana isn't one of the safest cities in Orange County with crime a bit higher than both the national and California crime rate.
The Santa Ana Police Department provides a monthly crime statistics report according to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) standard.
A total of 429 violent crimes were reported in Santa Ana per 100,000 people in 2021. The murder rate was 4.5 per 100,000 people, below the national average of 6.5 per 100,000 people.
There were 15 murders reported in Santa Ana in 2021, down from a high of 23 in 2016.
The number of violent crimes in Santa Ana by type in 2021 was:
The number of violent crimes per 100,000 people (compared to the national average) in Santa Ana is:
You have a 1 in 70 chance of being the victim of a violent crime in Santa Ana.
The Santa Ana Police Department has 355 sworn officers and has proudly served the community for 152 years. The police department strives to provide effective police services with integrity, respect, and compassion while fostering strong partnerships with the community they serve.
The Santa Ana total property crime reported in Santa Ana in 2021 was 6,926.
The Santa Ana property crime rate (number of reported crimes per 100,000 people) compared to the state and the U.S. in 2021 is:
Total property crime
Burglary
Theft
Vehicle theft
Although property crime rates are slightly higher in Santa Ana than they are nationally, they are lower than the state averages. How safe Santa Ana will be for you will depend on where you live.
When you know where the unsafe neighborhoods in Santa Ana are that have the highest crime rates, you’ll be able to avoid them. Here are some of the neighborhoods in Santa Ana that you should consider avoiding:
Fairhaven is located just north of downtown Santa Ana. The total crime rate is 283% above the national average, and the violent crime rate is 778% higher, making it statistically the most dangerous neighborhood in Santa Ana. You have a 1 in 12 chance of being a victim of a crime in Fairhaven.
Laurelhurst is located in southwest Santa Ana. Although the total crime rate is only 8% higher than the national average, the violent crime rate is 409% higher. You have a 1 in 40 chance of being a victim of a crime in Laurelhurst.
Park Santiago is a dangerous neighborhood on the north side of downtown Santa Ana. It has a total crime rate 66% above the national average. The violent crime rate is 336% above the national average. You have a 1 in 26 chance of being a victim of a crime in Park Santiago.
There are a variety of secure neighborhoods in Santa Ana to fit every family’s budget and needs. Here are some of the safest neighborhoods in Santa Ana.
West Floral Park is a safe community at the northern tip of Santa Ana. The homes are well-maintained, and the neighbors are friendly. The crime rate in the neighborhood is 57% below the national average, and the violent crime rate is 56% lower. In Floral Park, you have a 1 in 100 chance of becoming a victim of crime.
Fisher Park, in northern Santa Ana, is a safe community to live in. The crime rate is 57% lower than the national average, and the violent crime rate is 56% lower. Property crime is also low, at 57% below the U.S. average. You have a 1 in 100 chance of becoming a victim of a crime in Fisher Park.
Casa de Santiago is a small, safe neighborhood in Santa Ana with a crime rate identical to that of West Floral Park and Fisher Park. It is one of the three statistically safest neighborhoods in the city. You have a 1 in 100 chance of becoming a victim of a crime in Casa de Santiago.
For a city with a population of 2,000, Santa Ana established the SAPD in 1886. The Orange County Sheriff's Department (OCSD) was also established at the same time. It included a Chief of Police and six part time officers. Facts about the Santa Ana Police Department:
The core values of the Santa Ana Police Department are teamwork, excellence, accountability, and making a difference in the community to ensure the safety of all Santa Ana residents.
Santa Ana has some unsafe neighborhoods, but overall, it is a relatively safe place to live with a number of safe neighborhoods to choose from.
Downtown Santa Ana is relatively safe during the day. Most crime happens in the southeast and northwest parts of town. As with any downtown area, you should take precautions after dark, though, especially if you are alone.
The overall crime rate in Santa Ana is 7% higher than the national average.
If you are careful to avoid the dangerous neighborhoods in Santa Ana, you should find it a safe place to live. In the safest neighborhoods, you don’t have to worry about crime.
If you are ready to make the move to Santa Ana, give Daly Movers a call at 714-538-2831 or fill out our online form for a free quote! Our award-winning, Orange County movers have over 50 years of experience. Let us take care of all your moving needs!
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