California Street / Mission Hill Neighborhood, Santa Cruz

Crime Rate & Statistics

B+

Above-average safety — lower crime than most neighborhoods

Safer than 42% of neighborhoods in Santa Cruz

Safety at a Glance

Overall Crime Moderate
Low 114 / 300 High
Violent Crime 130
30% above national avg
Property Crime 141
41% above national avg
City Ranking
42%
safer than other
Santa Cruz neighborhoods

Check a specific address

in Santa Cruz

Is California Street / Mission Hill Safe?

Yes — this neighborhood is safer than most. California Street / Mission Hill in Santa Cruz, CA has a safety grade of B+. The overall crime index is 114, which is 14% above the national average of 100. California Street / Mission Hill is safer than 42% of neighborhoods in Santa Cruz.

Compared to the Santa Cruz average (crime index 125), California Street / Mission Hill is 11% lower in overall crime.

Looking at specific crime types, larceny / theft is the most elevated concern (index: 163, 63% above average), while rape is the lowest risk (index: 115).

Highest Risk
Larceny / Theft · Index 163 (63% above avg)
Lowest Risk
Rape · Index 115 (15% above avg)

California Street / Mission Hill 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
149 +49% Moderate
Assault
119 +19% Moderate
Robbery
137 +37% Moderate
Rape
115 +15% Moderate
Property Crime
Burglary
127 +27% Moderate
Larceny / Theft
163 +63% High
Vehicle Theft
133 +33% Moderate

How California Street / Mission Hill Compares

Crime index by category: California Street / Mission Hill vs Santa Cruz average vs national average.

Crime by Category

Overall Crime Comparison

California Street / Mission Hill 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

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California Street / Mission Hill Demographics & Context

Population
2,177
Median Income
$77,581
Home Value
$1,223,205
Median Age
32
Pop. Density
8,596/mi²

Education

Bachelor's Degree 23.5%
Graduate Degree 23.5%

Housing

40%
60%
Owner-occupied Renter-occupied

Racial Demographics

White 69.5%
Black 3.6%
Hispanic 20.4%
Asian 8.1%

Nearby Neighborhoods

Mission Street Corridor Index: 96
B+
Downtown Santa Cruz Index: 154
B-
King Street Index: 76
A-
Neary Lagoon Index: 168
C+
Westlake Index: 71
A-
Beach Hill / Beach Flats Index: 186
B-
Beach and Boardwalk District Index: 184
C+
San Lorenzo Park Index: 195
B-
California Street / Mission Hill 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 California Street / Mission Hill, Santa Cruz?

California Street / Mission Hill in Santa Cruz, CA has a crime safety grade of B+ as of 2026. The overall crime index is 114, which is 14% above the national average. Compared to the Santa Cruz average, crime in California Street / Mission Hill is 11% lower. California Street / Mission Hill is safer than 42% of neighborhoods in Santa Cruz.

Is California Street / Mission Hill a safe neighborhood in Santa Cruz?

California Street / Mission Hill is generally considered a safe neighborhood in Santa Cruz, earning a crime grade of B+. The highest concern is Larceny / Theft (index: 163), while Rape is the lowest risk (index: 115).

How does California Street / Mission Hill compare to the rest of Santa Cruz?

California Street / Mission Hill's overall crime index is 114, compared to the Santa Cruz average of 125. This means crime in California Street / Mission Hill is 11% lower than the city average. For violent crime, the index is 130, and for property crime it is 141. 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 California Street / Mission Hill?

The most prevalent crime type in California Street / Mission Hill is Larceny / Theft, with a crime index of 163 (63% 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 California Street / Mission Hill?

Nearby neighborhoods with good safety ratings include Mission Street Corridor, Downtown Santa Cruz, King Street and Westlake. These areas are close to California Street / Mission Hill and offer lower crime rates, making them worth considering for residents who prioritize safety.

What are the demographics of California Street / Mission Hill?

California Street / Mission Hill has a population of approximately 2,177. The median household income is $77,581. The median home value is $1,223,205. Research shows that economic factors can correlate with crime rates, though many other variables play a role in neighborhood safety.

How does California Street / Mission Hill crime compare to the national average?

California Street / Mission Hill's overall crime rate is 14% above the national average (index 114 vs 100). Within Santa Cruz, it is safer than 42% 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.