Otero County Crime & Safety

Otero County, Colorado

Safety Score

10/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

High Crime

Total Crime Rate

2771.8

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

253.0

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

2518.8

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

10/100

Higher = safer

State avg 43/100

State Safety Rank

#53

of 64 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Otero County, Colorado

Otero County Faces Higher Crime Trends

Otero County reports a total crime rate of 2,771.8 per 100,000, which exceeds the national average of 2,385.5. This results in a safety score of 95.6, highlighting areas for improvement.

Comparing Otero to State Averages

The county's crime rate is significantly higher than the Colorado average of 1,834.6 per 100,000. Local law enforcement manages a higher volume of incidents than many other rural counties.

Safety Variations in the Region

Otero reports more activity than neighbors like Morgan or Montrose counties. Residents experience nearly double the crime rate seen in mountain counties like Ouray or Park.

High Property Crime Impacts Scores

Property crime is the driving force here, reaching 2,518.8 per 100,000 residents. The violent crime rate of 253.0 remains closer to the state average of 232.1.

Prioritizing Home Security in Otero

Given the high property crime rate, robust home security systems are highly recommended. Securing valuables and using alarm systems can significantly reduce personal risk.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Otero County, CO?

Otero County has a total crime rate of 2771.8 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (253.0 per 100K) and property crimes (2518.8 per 100K).

Is Otero County, CO safe?

Otero County has a safety score of 10/100, rated "High Crime". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #53 out of 64 counties in Colorado for safety (1 = safest).

How does Otero County crime compare to the Colorado average?

The county's crime rate is significantly higher than the Colorado average of 1,834.6 per 100,000. Local law enforcement manages a higher volume of incidents than many other rural counties.

What types of crime are most common in Otero County?

Property crime is the driving force here, reaching 2,518.8 per 100,000 residents. The violent crime rate of 253.0 remains closer to the state average of 232.1.

How is crime data measured and reported for Otero County?

Crime data for Otero County comes from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program. Local law enforcement agencies submit data on violent crimes (murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) and property crimes (burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft) to the FBI. Rates are calculated per 100,000 residents to allow fair comparison between counties of different sizes. The safety score (0-100) is derived from these rates, with higher scores indicating safer counties.

What is being done about crime in Otero County?

Otero County has a safety score of 10/100, which is below the Colorado average of 43/100. Many counties with above-average crime rates invest in community policing, crime prevention programs, neighborhood watch initiatives, and social services aimed at reducing crime over time.