Is Charlotte - Mecklenburg or Santa Ana Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Santa Ana is safer than Charlotte - Mecklenburg (Safety Score 35/100 vs 6/100), with a total crime rate of 2,196 per 100,000 versus 4,439 for Charlotte - Mecklenburg — 51% lower. Charlotte - Mecklenburg has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Santa Ana has a 56% lower rate.
Note: Charlotte - Mecklenburg is 3.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Charlotte - Mecklenburg — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Santa Ana — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Charlotte - Mecklenburg, NC
Santa Ana, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Charlotte - Mecklenburg | Santa Ana | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,439.0 | 2,195.6 | +2,243.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 733.7 | 493.4 | +240.3 |
| Murder Rate | 10.9 | 4.8 | +6.0 |
| Rape Rate | 24.9 | 52.5 | -27.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 130.4 | 106.0 | +24.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 567.0 | 329.7 | +237.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,705.3 | 1,702.2 | +2,003.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 427.1 | 225.6 | +201.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,518.2 | 1,160.5 | +1,357.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 760.0 | 316.1 | +443.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Charlotte - Mecklenburg or Santa Ana safer?
Santa Ana is safer with a total crime rate of 2,196 per 100K vs 4,439 for Charlotte - Mecklenburg — a 51% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Charlotte - Mecklenburg has a violent crime rate of 733.7 per 100K while Santa Ana has 493.4. Santa Ana has lower violent crime.
About Charlotte - Mecklenburg, NC
Charlotte-Mecklenburg, a major financial hub, sits in the Carolina Piedmont. The region is home to the NASCAR Hall of Fame, reflecting its deep ties to motorsports. Its diverse population has grown significantly, making it North Carolina's largest county. With a safety score of 6/100 and a population coverage of 1,003,130, Charlotte - Mecklenburg has a total crime rate of 4,439.0 per 100,000 residents.
About Santa Ana, CA
Santa Ana, the seat of Orange County, sits along the Santa Ana River. Its historic downtown, including the Yost Theater, reflects its rich past. Over 75% of its diverse population identifies as Hispanic or Latino. With a safety score of 35/100 and a population coverage of 310,304, Santa Ana has a total crime rate of 2,195.6 per 100,000 residents.
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