Lower Ocean Neighborhood, Santa Cruz

Crime Rate & Statistics

C+

Moderate safety — crime is near or slightly above average

Safer than 5% of neighborhoods in Santa Cruz

Safety at a Glance

Overall Crime High

Low 177 / 300 High

Violent Crime 162

62% above national avg

Property Crime 182

82% above national avg

City Ranking

safer than other

Santa Cruz neighborhoods

Check a specific address

in Santa Cruz

Is Lower Ocean Safe?

Somewhat — crime here is near the national average. Lower Ocean in Santa Cruz, CA has a safety grade of C+. The overall crime index is 177, which is 77% above the national average of 100. Lower Ocean is safer than 5% of neighborhoods in Santa Cruz.

Compared to the Santa Cruz average (crime index 125), Lower Ocean is 52% 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: 197, 97% above average), while assault is the lowest risk (index: 118).

Highest Risk

Robbery · Index 197 (97% above avg)

Lowest Risk

Assault · Index 118 (18% above avg)

Lower Ocean 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	192	+92%	+53%	High
Assault	118	+18%	-17%	Moderate
Robbery	197	+97%	+50%	High
Rape	142	+42%	N/A	Moderate
Property Crime
Burglary	165	+65%	+45%	High
Larceny / Theft	195	+95%	+42%	High
Vehicle Theft	187	+87%	+46%	High

How Lower Ocean Compares

Crime index by category: Lower Ocean vs Santa Cruz average vs national average.

Crime by Category

Overall Crime Comparison

Lower Ocean 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

Lower Ocean Demographics & Context

Population

1,798

Median Income

$64,594

Home Value

$933,974

Median Age

Pop. Density

12,450/mi²

Education

Bachelor's Degree 16.4%

Graduate Degree 17.3%

Housing

17%

83%

Owner-occupied Renter-occupied

Racial Demographics

White 48.3%

Black 2.3%

Hispanic 48.4%

Asian 4.7%

Nearby Neighborhoods

San Lorenzo Park Index: 195

B-

Beach Hill / Beach Flats Index: 186

B-

Ocean Street Corridor Index: 160

C+

Branciforte Drive Index: 186

B-

Downtown Santa Cruz Index: 154

B-

Upper Seabright Index: 136

B+

Soquel Avenue Corridor Index: 154

Water Street Corridor Index: 155

B-

Lower Ocean 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 Lower Ocean, Santa Cruz?

Lower Ocean in Santa Cruz, CA has a crime safety grade of C+ as of 2026. The overall crime index is 177, which is 77% above the national average. Compared to the Santa Cruz average, crime in Lower Ocean is 52% higher. Lower Ocean is safer than 5% of neighborhoods in Santa Cruz.

Is Lower Ocean a safe neighborhood in Santa Cruz?

Lower Ocean has a moderate level of crime with a safety grade of C+. Residents should take standard precautions. The highest concern is Robbery (index: 197), while Assault is the lowest risk (index: 118). It is one of the higher-crime neighborhoods in Santa Cruz.

How does Lower Ocean compare to the rest of Santa Cruz?

Lower Ocean's overall crime index is 177, compared to the Santa Cruz average of 125. This means crime in Lower Ocean is 52% higher than the city average. For violent crime, the index is 162, 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 Lower Ocean?

The most prevalent crime type in Lower Ocean is Robbery, with a crime index of 197 (97% 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 Lower Ocean?

Nearby neighborhoods with good safety ratings include San Lorenzo Park, Beach Hill / Beach Flats, Branciforte Drive and Downtown Santa Cruz. These areas are close to Lower Ocean and offer lower crime rates, making them worth considering for residents who prioritize safety.

What are the demographics of Lower Ocean?

Lower Ocean has a population of approximately 1,798. The median household income is $64,594. The median home value is $933,974. Research shows that economic factors can correlate with crime rates, though many other variables play a role in neighborhood safety.

How does Lower Ocean crime compare to the national average?

Lower Ocean's overall crime rate is 77% above the national average (index 177 vs 100). Within Santa Cruz, it is safer than 5% 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.