Santa Ana Neighborhood
Is Willard a Safe Place to Live? Housing, Crime & Buyer Guide
Explore safety, home prices, commute patterns, and neighborhood insights in Santa Ana, CA - so you can decide with confidence before buying or renting.
Most buyers only see the home. Smart buyers check the neighborhood first.
Crime Summary:
Crime Overview (last 12 months)
Severe273
Medium161
Low249
Other2135
203 Registered Offenders Nearby
Rape35
Child involved166
Assault31
Other11
Crime Details:
Recent reported incidents in the past 12 months (newest first). Up to 10 records.
| Crime date | Crime description | Address | Crime category |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, fire crews are dispatched to a reported miscellaneous type fire near East Cerritos Avenue and South Lewis Street in Anaheim. | E Cerritos Ave & S Lewis St, Anaheim, CA 92805 | Fire |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, units are responding to a reported medical emergency involving breathing difficulties near Prado Circle in Villa Park. | Prado Cir, Villa Park, CA 92861 | Medical Emergency |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, fire personnel are responding to a reported elevator entrapment at a children’s facility near The City Drive South and West Entertainment Avenue in Orange. | The City Dr S, Orange, CA 92868 | Other Non-Crime Event |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, fire crews respond to a reported elevator entrapment at a children’s facility near The City Drive South and West Entertainment Avenue in Orange. | The City Dr S, Orange, CA 92868 | Rescue / Entrapment |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, radio traffic reports a possible disabled gray (number withheld) Toyota Camry in the center divider on eastbound State Route 22 just west of State Route 55 in Orange, California. | CA-55, Orange, CA | Traffic |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, patients originally headed to St. Joe's hospital were redirected to OC Global due to outages at St. Joe's and DCI, near N Tustin Ave. | N Tustin Ave, Santa Ana, CA 92705 | Medical Emergency |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, medical aid was dispatched near Del Taco at South State College Boulevard and East Orangewood Avenue in Anaheim. | S State College Blvd, Anaheim, CA 92806 | Medical Emergency |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, emergency crews were dispatched to a reported traffic collision near West Chapman Avenue and South Lewis Street in Orange, with the response upgraded to a Bravo level. | W Chapman Ave & S Lewis St, Orange, CA 92868 | Traffic |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, orange fire and ambulance units are dispatched to a reported traffic accident at the intersection of West Chapman Avenue and South Lewis Street in Orange. | W Chapman Ave & S Lewis St, Orange, CA 92868 | Traffic |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, fire crews are responding to a reported odor of gas outside a building near South Hickory Street in Santa Ana. | S Hickory St, Santa Ana, CA 92707 | Fire |
For all crime details - View Safety Report
Median Home Price
$1,039,579
Average Rent
$2,751
Vacancy Rate
2%
Overview
Willard is a densely urban neighborhood in Santa Ana, CA, with a very high renter occupancy and mostly small apartments.
Most homes were built between 1940 and 1969, with some from 1970 to 1999, and the vacancy rate is low at 2.0%, indicating tight housing supply.
Densely UrbanVery High Renter OccupancyPredominantly Mexican Ancestry
Quick Facts
| Vacancy Rate | 2.0% |
|---|
Housing market and real estate character
Willard's housing is dominated by small apartments and high-rise buildings, with a very high renter occupancy rate and low vacancy.
| Renter Occupied Rate | 95.4% |
|---|---|
| Housing Type Mix | 83.7% large apartment buildings |
| Housing Age | Mainly built 1940-1969, some 1970-1999 |
What buyers will notice right away
Nearly all housing units are renter occupied.
Low vacancy rate indicates strong demand and limited supply.
Families & Lifestyle
Willard has a large share of sales and service workers and a high child poverty rate, reflecting its economic profile.
Working-Class Community — Dominated by sales, service, and manufacturing occupations shaping neighborhood character.
| Sales and Service Occupations | 37.8% |
|---|---|
| Child Poverty Rate | 38.6% |
Demographics
| Sales and Service Occupations | 37.8% |
|---|---|
| Manufacturing and Laborer Occupations | 33.4% |
| Clerical, Assistant, Tech Support Occupations | 16.3% |
| Executive, Management, Professional Occupations | 11.8% |
| Mexican Ancestry | 83.1% |
| Spanish Speakers at Home | 84.3% |
| Foreign Born Residents | 44.6% |
Commute
Most residents have short to moderate commutes, with a majority driving alone or carpooling to work.
Willard offers manageable commute times with a notably high carpool rate.
Short Commutes — Half of residents commute under 30 minutes.
Very High Carpooling — Carpooling rate is among the highest nationally.
| Main Commute Time | 15-30 minutes (50.4%) |
|---|---|
| Drive Alone Rate | 61.1% |
| Carpool Rate | 27.1% |
Homes for sale near 92701
For-sale listings in this zip code. Open a property in HoodScore to run a safety report.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Willard safe?
Many shoppers ask whether Willard Santa Ana CA is a good place to live from a safety perspective. HoodScore’s safety lens for this ZIP is about 76 out of 100—use it as one neighborhood safety check alongside official sources. For “Santa Ana CA crime” context, review local police statistics and compare trends over time, not just headlines.
Are there registered offenders nearby?
Buyers doing a true neighborhood safety check should consult your state’s public registry and mapping tools for addresses near Santa Ana, CA. HoodScore summarizes area-level signals; it does not replace official offender databases or your own verification before buying a home.
Is this neighborhood good for families?
Family fit depends on schools, commute, and how you use nearby amenities—topics covered throughout this Santa Ana CA neighborhood guide. When moving to Santa Ana, CA, cross-check family priorities (space, activities, work routes) with what you see in the market and lifestyle sections above.
What is the average home price?
Typical list and sale figures change with season and inventory. Use the housing facts on this page and active listings for homes for sale in Santa Ana, CA to gauge where the market sits today. Your agent can translate those comps into a realistic offer range.
How does it compare to nearby areas?
Compare Willard Santa Ana CA to surrounding ZIPs and local county safety benchmarks: traffic patterns, price per square foot, and community feel can differ block by block. Layer county and metro data to see how this pocket compares to nearby alternatives.
What should I check before buying here?
Before buying a home, walk the area at different times, confirm flood or HOA details, and validate crime and schools with primary sources. If you are asking “is this a good place to live,” combine this neighborhood guide with inspections, title review, and your must-have list—smart buyers weigh both the house and the block.