Beach and Boardwalk District Neighborhood, Santa Cruz
Crime Rate & Statistics
Moderate safety — crime is near or slightly above average
Safer than 3% of neighborhoods in Santa Cruz
Safety at a Glance
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in Santa Cruz
Is Beach and Boardwalk District Safe?
Somewhat — crime here is near the national average. Beach and Boardwalk District in Santa Cruz, CA has a safety grade of C+. The overall crime index is 184, which is 84% above the national average of 100. Beach and Boardwalk District is safer than 3% of neighborhoods in Santa Cruz.
Compared to the Santa Cruz average (crime index 125), Beach and Boardwalk District is 59% higher in overall crime. Residents and visitors should exercise extra caution in this area, particularly after dark.
Looking at specific crime types, robbery is the most elevated concern (index: 195, 95% above average), while rape is the lowest risk (index: 172).
Beach and Boardwalk District Crime Breakdown
Crime indices compared to national average (100) and Santa Cruz city average. Higher values mean more crime.
| Crime Type | Index | vs National | Risk Level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | ||||
|
Murder
|
194 | +94% | High | |
|
Assault
|
180 | +80% | High | |
|
Robbery
|
195 | +95% | High | |
|
Rape
|
172 | +72% | High | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
172 | +72% | High | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
194 | +94% | High | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
193 | +93% | High | |
How Beach and Boardwalk District Compares
Crime index by category: Beach and Boardwalk District vs Santa Cruz average vs national average.
Crime by Category
Overall Crime Comparison
Beach and Boardwalk District Crime Map
Crime heatmap based on block-group level data. Red areas indicate higher crime density.
See the crime score for a specific address
Beach and Boardwalk District Demographics & Context
Education
Housing
Racial Demographics
Nearby Neighborhoods
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Beach and Boardwalk District, Santa Cruz?
Beach and Boardwalk District in Santa Cruz, CA has a crime safety grade of C+ as of 2026. The overall crime index is 184, which is 84% above the national average. Compared to the Santa Cruz average, crime in Beach and Boardwalk District is 59% higher. Beach and Boardwalk District is safer than 3% of neighborhoods in Santa Cruz.
Is Beach and Boardwalk District a safe neighborhood in Santa Cruz?
Beach and Boardwalk District has a moderate level of crime with a safety grade of C+. Residents should take standard precautions. The highest concern is Robbery (index: 195), while Rape is the lowest risk (index: 172). It is one of the higher-crime neighborhoods in Santa Cruz.
How does Beach and Boardwalk District compare to the rest of Santa Cruz?
Beach and Boardwalk District's overall crime index is 184, compared to the Santa Cruz average of 125. This means crime in Beach and Boardwalk District is 59% higher than the city average. For violent crime, the index is 185, and for property crime it is 186. However, crime can vary block by block, so checking the crime map for specific streets is recommended.
What type of crime is most common in Beach and Boardwalk District?
The most prevalent crime type in Beach and Boardwalk District is Robbery, with a crime index of 195 (95% above the national average). Overall, property crime is more prevalent than violent crime in this neighborhood, which is consistent with national trends.
What are safer neighborhoods near Beach and Boardwalk District?
Nearby neighborhoods with good safety ratings include Beach Hill / Beach Flats, Downtown Santa Cruz, Lighthouse Field State Beach and California Street / Mission Hill. These areas are close to Beach and Boardwalk District and offer lower crime rates, making them worth considering for residents who prioritize safety.
What are the demographics of Beach and Boardwalk District?
Beach and Boardwalk District has a population of approximately 807. The median household income is $33,280. The median home value is $1,194,333. Research shows that economic factors can correlate with crime rates, though many other variables play a role in neighborhood safety.
How does Beach and Boardwalk District crime compare to the national average?
Beach and Boardwalk District's overall crime rate is 84% above the national average (index 184 vs 100). Within Santa Cruz, it is safer than 3% of neighborhoods. For the most accurate picture, review the per-crime-type breakdown above, as some categories may differ significantly from the overall trend.
Crime data sourced from FBI UCR reports and local law enforcement agencies. Crime indices use 100 as the national average. Updated April 2026.