Hidalgo County Crime & Safety

Hidalgo County, New Mexico

Safety Score

36/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

High Crime

Total Crime Rate

1490.4

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

480.8

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

1009.6

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

36/100

Higher = safer

State avg 45/100

State Safety Rank

#19

of 32 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Hidalgo County, New Mexico

Moderate Crime Levels in Hidalgo County

Hidalgo County maintains a safety score of 97.6, with a total crime rate of 1490.4 per 100K. This remains well below the national total crime rate of 2,385.5.

Slightly Above the State Average

The county’s safety score of 97.6 is just above the New Mexico average of 97.4. Total crime in Hidalgo is lower than the state average of 1638.5, indicating a relatively safe environment.

Comparing Rates with Local Peers

Hidalgo's rate of 1490.4 is significantly higher than Grant County’s 260.6, showing more reported activity in this region. Despite this, it remains far safer than counties experiencing urban crime spikes.

Elevated Violent Crime but Low Theft

Violent crime is higher than the national average at 480.8 per 100K. Conversely, property crime is much lower than the national mark, sitting at 1009.6 compared to 2,015.7 nationally.

Prioritize Personal and Home Security

Given the higher-than-average violent crime rate, residents should invest in smart home technology like video doorbells. Staying aware of your surroundings is key to personal safety in the county.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Hidalgo County, NM?

Hidalgo County has a total crime rate of 1490.4 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (480.8 per 100K) and property crimes (1009.6 per 100K).

Is Hidalgo County, NM safe?

Hidalgo County has a safety score of 36/100, rated "High Crime". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #19 out of 32 counties in New Mexico for safety (1 = safest).

How does Hidalgo County crime compare to the New Mexico average?

The county’s safety score of 97.6 is just above the New Mexico average of 97.4. Total crime in Hidalgo is lower than the state average of 1638.5, indicating a relatively safe environment.

What types of crime are most common in Hidalgo County?

Violent crime is higher than the national average at 480.8 per 100K. Conversely, property crime is much lower than the national mark, sitting at 1009.6 compared to 2,015.7 nationally.

How is crime data measured and reported for Hidalgo County?

Crime data for Hidalgo 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 Hidalgo County?

Hidalgo County has a safety score of 36/100, which is below the New Mexico average of 45/100. 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.