Is Santa Rosa Safe to Live?
Beautiful landscapes, high-rise buildings, and several stunning landmarks, Santa Rosa is truly an eye feast for any city slicker.
With the double advantage of proximity to the lush vineyards of wine country and the stunning Pacific coastline, anyone would want to live here.
That's not all!
The city offers a high quality of life with lively cultural scenes, lots of outdoor activities, and a family-friendly atmosphere that appeals to residents of all ages.
But, just how well does Santa Rosa fair when crime statistics are brought up? Is Santa Rosa safe?
Let's examine its crime statistics, analyze the neighborhood safety ratings, and compare Santa Rosa with other nearby cities to determine where's better.
Santa Rosa's Safety Profile: Crime Rates and Safety Margins
To fully understand Santa Rosa's safety, let's dive into recent crime data and examine how the city performs in both violent and property crime categories.
According to recent statistics, there is a 1 in 292 chance of falling victim to a violent crime in Santa Rosa and a 1 in 70 chance of being a victim of a property crime.
Luckily, these numbers are below both the national and California averages. So, you could already assume that offenses like assault, robbery, and homicide, are in the moderate zones.
However, some neighborhoods experience higher incidences than others, making it crucial to choose the right area.
|
per 1,000 residents |
Santa Rosa Median |
California Median |
National Median |
|
Violent Crime |
3.42 |
4.99 |
4.0 |
|
Property Crime |
14.34 |
23.43 |
20.0 |
Note:
Property crime rates are higher in the city, making assaults like burglary, larceny, and motor vehicle theft a primary concern.
Factors Impacting Safety in Santa Rosa
Is Santa Rosa safe?
Understanding the factors that influence Santa Rosa's crime profile can give potential residents a clearer picture of how certain elements contribute to safety dynamics within the city.
While crime is pretty much on the low in Santa Rosa, the few reported cases precipitating these incidents have been linked to several common factors.
Some of them include:
Socioeconomic disparities
Santa Rosa has neighborhoods with high property values, affluent residents, and areas with lower-income families and higher poverty rates.
In this city, the median home sale price is $749,500, and some others even sell for as high as $62 million!
Also, with about 10% of its 177,181 residents living below the poverty level, it's not difficult to see why economic disparities can contribute to crime rates here.
In neighborhoods with fewer job prospects and educational resources, crime rates tend to be higher.
Homelessness and housing crisis
Like much of California, Santa Rosa faces a homelessness crisis driven by high housing costs and insufficient affordable homes.
Many homeless individuals are in certain parts of the city, which leads to increased incidents of minor property crimes, such as petty theft or vandalism.
While homelessness doesn't equate to high crime, neighborhoods with concentrated populations of people without a place to lay their heads often see an increase in certain types of crime.
Natural disasters and economic recovery
Santa Rosa and the surrounding areas have experienced significant wildfires in recent years, which have caused displacement, property loss, and economic strain.
Natural disasters like this have led to spikes in crime during recovery periods, as people may resort to theft or other crimes due to financial pressures.
Similarly, economic fluctuations from disasters can have a lingering impact. When job opportunities are scarce, property crimes may rise as residents struggle financially.
Note:
In a way, the importance of using the services of a trusted moving company in Santa Rosa when relocating here puts you at an advantage to help you avoid some leading crime causes.
It saves you from potential property damage or theft risks that can sometimes occur during a move, especially in areas where security may be a concern.
Safety Comparison: Santa Rosa vs. Nearby Cities
Here's how Santa Rosa stacks up against four neighboring cities in terms of crime rates and safety perception:
- Sebastopol, known for its artistic and eco-friendly vibe, has a higher violent crime rate than Santa Rosa and the national average.
- Rohnert Park's crime trends are similar to Santa Rosa's, with a slightly higher property crime rate, particularly in neighborhoods near major highways.
- Windsor stands out for having the lowest crime rates, both for violent and property crimes. However, this may partially be attributed to its smaller population, about one-sixth of Santa Rosa's.
- While safer in terms of violent crime, Healdsburg has higher-than-average property crime. This is likely due to its popularity with tourists, upscale wineries, and the downtown area.
Evidently, Santa Rosa holds its own in comparison to surrounding areas, bettered only by Windsor, which has a comparably low population density and unemployment rate.
|
per 1,000 residents |
Santa Rosa |
Sebastopol |
Rohnert Park |
Windsor |
Healdsburg |
|
Population |
171,181 |
7,338 |
44,326 |
25,789 |
11,709 |
|
Violent Crime |
3.42 |
4.5 |
4.13 |
1.71 |
2.73 |
|
Property Crime |
14.34 |
17.99 |
17.66 |
10.90 |
20.33 |
|
Distance From Woodbridge |
— |
7.1 miles |
8.1 miles |
10 miles |
15 miles |
|
Unemployment Rate |
4.0% |
4.2% |
4.1% |
3.8% |
4.0% |
|
Poverty Rate |
10% |
8.2% |
9.7% |
4.2% |
10.8% |
Safest Neighborhoods in Santa Rosa
When you think about Santa Rosa neighborhood safety, some areas will first come to mind. These places are known for their high safety ratings and generally peaceful setting.
Here's a look at some of Santa Rosa's safest neighborhoods.
Fountaingrove
Known for its upscale homes and scenic views, Fountaingrove is one of the safest neighborhoods in Santa Rosa. It's a popular neighborhood amongst the working class, attracting families and professionals.
- Population: 5,850
- Average House Rent: $2,372
- Median Home Value: $778,400
Bennett Valley
Is Santa Rosa safe? Yes, if you choose to live in Bennett Valley. It's a residential neighborhood with an extremely noticeable family-friendliness and low crime rate.
- Population: 10,059
- Average House Rent: $2,453
- Median Home Value: $990,000
Rincon Valley
Another safe choice is Rincon Valley. Think of it as the place that steals the heart of the younger folks. It has excellent schools and a suburban feel that appeals to young, growing families.
- Population: 15,121
- Average House Rent: $2,317
- Median Home Value: $840,000
More Dangerous Neighborhoods in Santa Rosa
Is Santa Rosa safe everywhere? Well, not exactly.
Santa Rosa also has some neighborhoods with higher crime rates, nothing crazy like Detroit though. These areas tend to be closer to commercial zones or highways and have a larger transient population.
South Park
Even with increased efforts to reduce crime, South Park still has plenty of work to do. Due to its proximity to busier parts of the city, it still reports higher-than-average incidents of property crime.
- Safety Rating: Moderate
- Population: 6,218
- Average House Rent: $2,270
- Median Home Value: $699,000
Roseland
While community initiatives have improved Roseland's area safety in recent years, certain blocks still experience elevated crime rates, particularly property-related.
- Safety Rating: Low
- Population: 6,325
- Average House Rent: $2,322
- Median Home Value: $577,000
Final Thoughts: How Safe Are You in Santa Rosa?
Having examined its safety profile, is Santa Rosa safe to live in?
Simple and short answer: Yes, it is!
Santa Rosa strikes a balance between its neighborhoods.
While certain neighborhoods like South Park and Roseland have a reputation for higher crime rates, the rest of the city offers a secure and pleasant lifestyle, especially in areas like Fountaingrove and Bennett Valley.
So, how soon are you booking your movers into Santa Rosa?
