Taos County Crime & Safety

Taos County, New Mexico

Safety Score

39/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

High Crime

Total Crime Rate

1392.3

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

142.1

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

1250.2

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

39/100

Higher = safer

State avg 45/100

State Safety Rank

#16

of 32 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Taos County, New Mexico

Taos County maintains high safety levels

Taos County’s safety score of 97.8 reflects a total crime rate of 1,392.3 per 100,000. This is significantly better than the national average crime rate of 2,385.5.

Outperforming the New Mexico average

Taos reports a safety score of 97.8, which is above the state average of 97.4. Its crime rate of 1,392.3 also sits below the New Mexico average of 1,638.5.

Fewer crimes than Santa Fe County

Taos’s crime rate of 1,392.3 is less than half of Santa Fe’s 3,754.5. It also maintains a lower rate than nearby Torrance County (2,308.8).

Understanding the crime distribution

Property crime sits at 1,250.2 per 100K, making it the most common concern, while violent crime is low at 142.1. These numbers suggest a relatively safe environment for residents.

Strengthen your home defenses

Because property crime is more prevalent than violent crime, focus on securing your home’s entry points. Community watch programs can also help maintain Taos’s safety.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Taos County, NM?

Taos County has a total crime rate of 1392.3 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (142.1 per 100K) and property crimes (1250.2 per 100K).

Is Taos County, NM safe?

Taos 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 #16 out of 32 counties in New Mexico for safety (1 = safest).

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

Taos reports a safety score of 97.8, which is above the state average of 97.4. Its crime rate of 1,392.3 also sits below the New Mexico average of 1,638.5.

What types of crime are most common in Taos County?

Property crime sits at 1,250.2 per 100K, making it the most common concern, while violent crime is low at 142.1. These numbers suggest a relatively safe environment for residents.

How is crime data measured and reported for Taos County?

Crime data for Taos 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 Taos County?

Taos 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.