crimebycounty

New Mexico Crime & Safety

Crime rates and safety scores for all 33 counties.

Avg Violent Crime Rate

341.0

per 100K

Avg Property Crime Rate

1298.0

per 100K

Avg Safety Score

45/100

State Overview

Crime & Safety in New Mexico

National Context

New Mexico Stays Below National Crime Averages

New Mexico’s average total crime rate of 1,638.5 per 100,000 residents is significantly lower than the national average of 2,385.5. This data positions the state as a safer-than-average option compared to many of its regional neighbors. While specific urban areas face challenges, the statewide figures reflect a lower frequency of reported incidents overall.

Violent vs. Property Crime

Property Crime Drives the Majority of Incidents

Property crime dominates the landscape with 1,297.5 reports per 100,000 residents, roughly four times the frequency of violent crime. The state’s violent crime rate of 340.9 per 100,000 actually sits below the national benchmark of 369.8. This suggests that residents are far more likely to encounter theft or burglary than physical confrontation.

Safest Counties

The Quietest Pockets: Harding, Luna, and Rio Arriba

Harding, Luna, and Rio Arriba counties report the lowest activity in the state, with data showing 0.0 total incidents per 100,000 residents. These rural areas stand out for their exceptional safety profiles, representing the state’s most peaceful regions. While low population density contributes to these figures, they remain New Mexico’s most tranquil counties.

Crime Hotspots

Urban Centers Experience Higher Crime Concentrations

Bernalillo County records the state's highest activity at 6,067.8 per 100,000 residents, followed by Lea County at 4,140.8 and Santa Fe County at 3,754.5. These rates are heavily influenced by property crimes in densely populated or economically active corridors. Understanding these hotspots helps residents differentiate between the state's quiet rural life and busy urban hubs.

The Takeaway

Safety Assessment for the Land of Enchantment

With a total crime rate nearly 31% lower than the national average, New Mexico remains a statistically safe state for most residents. Safety levels vary dramatically by location, making it vital for prospective movers to prioritize property security in urban centers like Albuquerque or Santa Fe. Overall, the state provides many quiet communities with exceptionally low incident rates.

All New Mexico Counties

CountySafety Score
Harding County98/100
Luna County98/100
Rio Arriba County98/100
Sandoval County94/100
Lincoln County92/100
Grant County88/100
Los Alamos County84/100
Union County80/100
Cibola County75/100
Socorro County63/100
Mora County63/100
Catron County57/100
Quay County55/100
Guadalupe County48/100
Colfax County46/100
Taos County39/100
Otero County39/100
Sierra County36/100
Hidalgo County36/100
De Baca County29/100
San Miguel County27/100
San Juan County20/100
Roosevelt County18/100
McKinley County18/100
Torrance County16/100
Curry County9/100
Valencia County7/100
Eddy County7/100
Chaves County6/100
Santa Fe County4/100
Lea County3/100
Bernalillo County1/100
Doña Ana County—

Crime rates per 100K population. — = data pending.

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Data Sources

Crime data sourced from the FBI Crime Data Explorer (UCR) and County Health Rankings. Safety scores are derived composite metrics.

Data is informational only. Not legal or security advice. Coverage varies by county and reporting year.

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