F
35%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
76%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
27%
Property crime NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects the 2022 calendar year and was released from the FBI in September, 2023; this is the most current data available.
StatisticReportedincidents/100k peoplePortales/100k peopleNew Mexico/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime375n/a (estimate)3,1323,7652,324
Murder1n/a8.412.06.3
Rape9n/a75.254.640.0
Robbery4n/a33.4110.666.1
Assault64n/a534.4603.3268.2
Violent crime78n/a (estimate)651781370
Burglary142n/a1,185.8604.0269.8
Theft136n/a1,135.71,838.41,401.9
Vehicle theft19n/a158.7541.7282.7
Property crime297n/a (estimate)2,4802,9841,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Portales, NM

Crime is typically categorized into two main types: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes encompass offenses such as murder, rape, robbery, and assault, while property crimes include burglary, theft, and vehicle theft. Based on the most recent report, the Portales crime rate is higher than the national average by 34.7%. Specifically, there were 78 violent crimes in Portales, equivalent to 651 per 100,000 individuals, higher than the national average by 76.1%. Furthermore, Portales recorded 297 property crimes, amounting to 2480 per 100,000 residents, which was higher than the average by 26.9%.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Portales?

What do the local residents think about crime in Portales? Well, based on a recent survey of 5 people (conducted by AreaVibes), 20% of Portales residents said that there was virtually no crime and that they felt safe walking at night. Another 80% of respondents said that there was too much crime in the area and they did not feel safe walking alone at night.

Is Portales a Safe Place to Live?

Is Portales a safe place to live? While the answer may not be straightforward due to variations in safety levels across the city, gaining an understanding of the overall crime rate can prove to be advantageous. In general, Portales has a crime rate that is higher than the national average by 35%. Breaking this down on a daily basis, it translates to 1.03 daily incidents, encompassing 0.21 violent crimes and 0.81 property crimes. Evaluating these statistics can aid in forming a more informed perspective on the safety of Portales as a potential place to call home.

Has Crime in Portales Increased Since Last Year?

Year-over-year crime data allows residents and potential residents to assess the crime in Portales. A decrease in crime rates may indicate improving safety, while an increase could raise concerns. The year-over-year crime rate in Portales has increased by 4.2%. Violent crimes have increased by 41.8%, while property crimes have increased by 2.6%. By comparing crime rates from one year to the next, authorities and communities can identify trends and patterns in criminal activity. This helps in understanding whether crime is increasing, decreasing, or remaining stable over time.

Potential Causes for Crime in Portales

The economic well-being of a city's residents plays a significant role in crime rates. High poverty rates and income inequality can lead to increased crime stats as individuals may resort to illegal activities to meet their basic needs. While lower rates could lead to a lower Portales crime rate. The poverty level in Portales is 25.7%, while the national average is 15.1%.

Limited employment opportunities or a prevalence of low-wage jobs can result in higher rates of unemployment and underemployment. Regions where individuals grapple with joblessness or meager wages may exhibit greater vulnerability to an uptick in crime due to financial instability. While areas that have strong employment rates, often will see a reduction in overall crime. Portales, for instance, reports an unemployment rate of 7.3%, which differs from the national average of 4.7%.

Portales has a ratio of police officers and civilians per 1,000 residents that differs from the national norm, with 0 officers and civilians per 1,000 residents, compared to 3.25 nationwide. Crime rates are profoundly influenced by the effectiveness of law enforcement and community policing endeavors. A resilient and cooperative partnership between law enforcement agencies and the community can serve as a deterrent to criminal activities, ultimately enhancing safety. The efficacy of law enforcement extends beyond mere numbers and extends into the realm of community policing strategies, emphasizing the cultivation of trust and collaboration between officers and the community. It is not merely a matter of quantity but the quality of engagement with the community that matters most.

Portales crime map



The Portales crime map provides a detailed overview of all crimes in Portales as reported by the local law enforcement agencies. Based on the color coded legend above, the crime map outlines the areas with lower crime compared to the areas with higher crime. The Portales crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the Portales crime map does not always indicate that it is a dangerous area for its residents. Areas on the heat map could be inflated if they are located in high traffic areas like airports, sports centers or large parks. Other areas on the heat map could see increased crime rates if they are located in major tourist areas like the downtown core.
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Compare Portales, NM Crime

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      Crime Quick Facts

      • Portales crime rates are 35% higher than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Portales are 76% higher than the national average
      • In Portales you have a 1 in 32 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Portales is safer than 12% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Portales has increased by 2%

      Portales, NM Crime Quiz

         

        Safest Places to Live in and Around Portales

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        Daily Crime In Portales (per 100,000 people)

        The bar chart above reveals the rate of daily crimes in Portales for every 100,000 residents. The Portales total amount of daily crime is 1.20 times less than the New Mexico average and 1.35 times more than than that of the nation. As for violent crimes, the daily average in Portales, is 1.20 times less than the New Mexico average, and it is 1.76 times more than the national average. The statistics for property crimes show that Portales has a daily crime average that is 1.20 times less than the New Mexico average and 1.27 times more than the daily national rate.

        How Safe is Portales (higher is better)

        Are people any safer living in Portales in comparison to other New Mexico communities and all other areas throughout the United States? When we look at all cities across America, is Portales safe? The evidence provided by these graphs show Portales being safer than 29% of cities in New Mexico and 12% of cities across the United States. This is evident by tracking New Mexico cities as well as all US cities over a one year period to contrast crime statistics as they relate to Portales. In conclusion, Portales ranks below average compared to the rest of the United States.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Portales

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Portales is 1 in 154
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Portales is 1 in 41
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Portales is 1 in 32
        Are you worried about becoming a crime victim? In Portales, your chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime is 1 in 154. Types of violent crimes may include assault, robbery, rape, or murder. You also have a 1 in 41 chance of being the victim of a property crime such as vehicle theft, personal property theft, and burglary. Your overall risk of becoming a crime victim in Portales is 1 in 32.

        Year Over Year Crime In Portales (per 100,000 people)

        An analysis of year to year crime rates in Portales, New Mexico (per 100,000 people) is a useful indicator of whether the area is becoming a safer or a more dangerous place to live. The amount of violent crime in Portales has increased by 38%, the amount of property crime in Portales has decreased by 5%, and the total amount of crime in Portales has increased by 2% year over year.

        Portales police department

        Item Portales New Mexico National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)363,705558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residentsn/a4.43.3

        Sex offenders in New Mexico

        State Total offenders New Mexico /100K National /100K
        New Mexico3,129155266
        There are a total of 3,129 sex offenders in New Mexico. This yields a total of 155 sex offenders in New Mexico per 100,000 residents which is 42% less than the national average.

        Nearby Cities With Low Crime Rates

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Portales, NM11,7136512,4803,132

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Arlington, TN11,7154131,5301,943
        Grafton, WI11,71848922970
        Webster, MA11,7196911,1841,875
        Florham Park, NJ11,71929387417
        Wanaque, NJ11,71936253289
        Portales, NM11,7136512,4803,132
        Source: The Portales, NM crime data displayed above is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reports for the year of 2022. The crime report encompasses more than 18,000 city and state law enforcement agencies reporting data on property and violent crimes. The uniform crime reports program represents approximately 309 million American residents, which results in 98% coverage of metropolitan statistical areas.