Otero County Crime & Safety

Otero County, New Mexico

Safety Score

39/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

High Crime

Total Crime Rate

1397.2

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

227.0

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

1170.2

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

39/100

Higher = safer

State avg 45/100

State Safety Rank

#17

of 32 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Otero County, New Mexico

Otero County Safety Scores Beat National Averages

Otero County maintains a strong safety score of 97.8, supported by a total crime rate of 1397.2 per 100K. This is well below the national total crime rate of 2,385.5.

A Top Safety Performer in New Mexico

Otero's total crime rate of 1397.2 is better than the state average of 1638.5. Its safety score of 97.8 also edges out the statewide average of 97.4.

Otero vs Regional Crime Trends

Otero is safer than San Miguel and McKinley counties, which both report rates near or above 1800 per 100K. Four reporting agencies contribute to Otero's comprehensive and reliable data profile.

Property Crime Dominates Local Reports

The violent crime rate is low at 227.0 per 100K, far below the national average of 369.8. Most reported incidents involve property crime, which sits at 1170.2 per 100K.

Reinforce Your Home Security Strategy

Since property crime is the primary concern, residents should secure windows and use smart locks. These steps help maintain the county's high safety standing.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Otero County, NM?

Otero County has a total crime rate of 1397.2 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (227.0 per 100K) and property crimes (1170.2 per 100K).

Is Otero County, NM safe?

Otero County has a safety score of 39/100, rated "High Crime". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #17 out of 32 counties in New Mexico for safety (1 = safest).

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

Otero's total crime rate of 1397.2 is better than the state average of 1638.5. Its safety score of 97.8 also edges out the statewide average of 97.4.

What types of crime are most common in Otero County?

The violent crime rate is low at 227.0 per 100K, far below the national average of 369.8. Most reported incidents involve property crime, which sits at 1170.2 per 100K.

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 39/100, 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.