Branciforte Drive Neighborhood, Santa Cruz

Crime Rate & Statistics

B-

Fairly safe — slightly below-average crime levels

Safer than 18% of neighborhoods in Santa Cruz

Safety at a Glance

Overall Crime High

Low 186 / 300 High

Violent Crime 182

82% above national avg

Property Crime 182

82% above national avg

City Ranking

18%

safer than other

Santa Cruz neighborhoods

Check a specific address

in Santa Cruz

Is Branciforte Drive Safe?

Mostly yes — this neighborhood is fairly safe. Branciforte Drive in Santa Cruz, CA has a safety grade of B-. The overall crime index is 186, which is 86% above the national average of 100. Branciforte Drive is safer than 18% of neighborhoods in Santa Cruz.

Compared to the Santa Cruz average (crime index 125), Branciforte Drive is 61% 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 burglary is the lowest risk (index: 158).

Highest Risk

Robbery · Index 195 (95% above avg)

Lowest Risk

Burglary · Index 158 (58% above avg)

Branciforte Drive Crime Breakdown

Crime indices compared to national average (100) and Santa Cruz city average. Higher values mean more crime.

Crime Type	Index	vs National	vs Santa Cruz	Risk Level
Violent Crime
Murder	194	+94%	+55%	High
Assault	176	+76%	+41%	High
Robbery	195	+95%	+48%	High
Rape	161	+61%	N/A	High
Property Crime
Burglary	158	+58%	+38%	High
Larceny / Theft	195	+95%	+42%	High
Vehicle Theft	192	+92%	+51%	High

How Branciforte Drive Compares

Crime index by category: Branciforte Drive vs Santa Cruz average vs national average.

Crime by Category

Overall Crime Comparison

Branciforte Drive Crime Map

Crime heatmap based on block-group level data. Red areas indicate higher crime density.

Full Screen Map

Crime Level: Low Below Avg Average Above Avg High

See the crime score for a specific address

Branciforte Drive Demographics & Context

Population

506

Median Income

$55,511

Home Value

$945,727

Median Age

Pop. Density

6,871/mi²

Education

Bachelor's Degree 22.8%

Graduate Degree 20.7%

Housing

23%

77%

Owner-occupied Renter-occupied

Racial Demographics

White 64.5%

Black 2.2%

Hispanic 21.2%

Asian 9%

Nearby Neighborhoods

Ocean Street Corridor Index: 160

C+

Water Street Corridor Index: 155

B-

Soquel Avenue Corridor Index: 154

San Lorenzo Park Index: 195

B-

Lower Ocean Index: 177

C+

Upper Ocean Index: 181

C-

Upper Seabright Index: 136

B+

River Street District Index: 124

B+

Branciforte Drive Crime Map

Interactive crime heatmap for this neighborhood

Santa Cruz Crime Statistics

View all Santa Cruz neighborhoods & city-wide data

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Branciforte Drive, Santa Cruz?

Branciforte Drive in Santa Cruz, CA has a crime safety grade of B- as of 2026. The overall crime index is 186, which is 86% above the national average. Compared to the Santa Cruz average, crime in Branciforte Drive is 61% higher. Branciforte Drive is safer than 18% of neighborhoods in Santa Cruz.

Is Branciforte Drive a safe neighborhood in Santa Cruz?

Branciforte Drive is generally considered a safe neighborhood in Santa Cruz, earning a crime grade of B-. The highest concern is Robbery (index: 195), while Burglary is the lowest risk (index: 158).

How does Branciforte Drive compare to the rest of Santa Cruz?

Branciforte Drive's overall crime index is 186, compared to the Santa Cruz average of 125. This means crime in Branciforte Drive is 61% higher than the city average. For violent crime, the index is 182, and for property crime it is 182. 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 Branciforte Drive?

The most prevalent crime type in Branciforte Drive is Robbery, with a crime index of 195 (95% above the national average). Violent crime is a particular concern in this neighborhood relative to property crime.

What are safer neighborhoods near Branciforte Drive?

Nearby neighborhoods with good safety ratings include Water Street Corridor, Soquel Avenue Corridor, San Lorenzo Park and Upper Seabright. These areas are close to Branciforte Drive and offer lower crime rates, making them worth considering for residents who prioritize safety.

What are the demographics of Branciforte Drive?

Branciforte Drive has a population of approximately 506. The median household income is $55,511. The median home value is $945,727. Research shows that economic factors can correlate with crime rates, though many other variables play a role in neighborhood safety.

How does Branciforte Drive crime compare to the national average?

Branciforte Drive's overall crime rate is 86% above the national average (index 186 vs 100). Within Santa Cruz, it is safer than 18% 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.