D+
17%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
13%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
22%
Property crime NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: This data reflects the 2023 calendar year and was released from the FBI in September, 2024; this is the most current data available.
StatisticReportedincidents/100k peopleRio Rancho/100k peopleNew Mexico/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime2,092n/a (estimate)1,9023,6372,281
Murder2n/a1.811.55.7
Rape41n/a37.352.738.0
Robbery13n/a11.872.966.5
Assault397n/a360.9612.2264.1
Violent crime453n/a (estimate)412749364
Burglary200n/a181.8517.9250.7
Theft1,262n/a1,147.41,850.11,347.2
Vehicle theft177n/a160.9519.5318.7
Property crime1,639n/a (estimate)1,4902,8881,917

An Overview of Crime Rates in Rio Rancho, NM

When we analyze the latest crime report, the Rio Rancho crime rate is 8.4% lower than the national average. These incidents are classified into two primary categories: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes include assault, robbery, rape and murder. Whereas property crimes encompass theft, vehicle theft and burglary. In the case of Rio Rancho, there were 491 reported violent crimes, equivalent to 457 per 100,000 individuals, 23.6% higher than the national average. Additionally, Rio Rancho recorded 1796 property crimes, amounting to 1672 per 100,000 residents, 14.5% lower than the U.S. average.

When assessing the overall crime rate in Rio Rancho per 100,000 people, it stands in the median range among all cities with reported crime data. Our analysis of total incidents, encompassing both violent and property crimes, underscores the close alignment of reported Rio Rancho crime rates with the national average as reported by other areas.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Rio Rancho?

What do the local residents think about crime in Rio Rancho? Well, based on a recent survey of 39 people (conducted by AreaVibes), 64% of Rio Rancho residents said that there was virtually no crime and that they felt safe walking at night. Another 36% of respondents said that there was too much crime in the area and they did not feel safe walking alone at night.

Is Rio Rancho a Safe Place to Live?

Before you decide to relocate, it’s always good to ask yourself “Is Rio Rancho a safe place to live?” Although the answer might not be that simple, as some areas are safer than others, getting a good feel for the overall rate of crime can definitely be helpful. Overall, the Rio Rancho crime rate is 8% lower than the national average. If we break that down daily, that translates into 6.27 crimes per day - 1.35 violent crimes and 4.92 property crimes.

Has Crime in Rio Rancho Increased Since Last Year?

Year-over-year crime rates in Rio Rancho has increased by 37.5% in the last reported crime report. Comparing crime rates from one year to another offers some insight into whether or not Rio Rancho is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live. Crime rates are categorized by violent and property crime. Year-over-year violent crime has increased by 159.8%, while property crime has increased by 21.9%. This analysis equips individuals with crucial information for making informed decisions about living in Rio Rancho.

Potential Causes for Crime in Rio Rancho

In Rio Rancho, the current unemployment rate stands at 4%, diverging from the national average of 4.7%. The availability of job opportunities is a pivotal factor influencing unemployment and underemployment rates. Communities where individuals contend with limited employment prospects or a preponderance of low-wage positions may witness elevated rates of joblessness and income inadequacy, which can contribute to heightened crime levels driven by financial insecurity. Conversely, areas characterized by robust employment rates often experience a reduction in overall Rio Rancho crime rates.

Highly populated regions typically encompass expansive urban hubs teeming with diverse economic prospects. Within these areas, income inequality can be exacerbated, giving rise to enclaves of poverty amid affluence. Communities marked by economic disparities may contend with heightened property crimes, and in certain instances, violent crimes. Conversely, regions characterized by low population density often exhibit lower Rio Rancho crime rates. For instance, in Rio Rancho, the population density stands at 947.9 people per square mile, diverging from the national average of 90.6 people per square mile.

The level of education within a community can impact crime rates. Higher educational attainment often correlates with lower crime rates, as it provides individuals with better job opportunities and alternatives to criminal behavior. While lower educational achievement rates tend to lead to higher crime rates. In Rio Rancho, 89% of people have completed high school, while 83% of people have completed high school nationally.

Rio Rancho crime map



The Rio Rancho crime map provides a detailed overview of all crimes in Rio Rancho 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 Rio Rancho crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the Rio Rancho 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.

Compare Rio Rancho, NM Crime

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      Crime Quick Facts

      • Rio Rancho crime rates are 17% lower than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Rio Rancho are 13% higher than the national average
      • In Rio Rancho you have a 1 in 53 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Rio Rancho is safer than 24% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Rio Rancho has decreased by 11%

      Rio Rancho, NM Crime Quiz

      • 1. Which city in New Mexico has the least crime per 100,000 people?
      • 2. Which city in New Mexico has the most crime per 100,000 people?
      • 3. How many crimes (per 100,000 people) occur in Rio Rancho each year?
      • 4. Is the Rio Rancho crime rate higher or lower than the New Mexico average?
      • 5. Rio Rancho is safer than 52% of all other cities in New Mexico.
       
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      Safest Places to Live in and Around Rio Rancho

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      Daily Crime In Rio Rancho (per 100,000 people)

      The above illustration depicts the number of crimes committed daily in Rio Rancho, per 100,000 residents. In Rio Rancho, the total number of daily crimes is 1.91 times less than the New Mexico average and 1.20 times less than the national average. Violent daily crime statistics in Rio Rancho are 1.82 times less than the New Mexico average and 1.13 times more than the national average. For property crime, Rio Rancho has a daily crime rate that is 1.94 times less than the New Mexico average and 1.29 times less than the daily national average.

      How Safe is Rio Rancho (higher is better)

      When comparing the safety of Rio Rancho to every other city in New Mexico, as well as the entirety of the United States, is Rio Rancho safe? The gauges above illustrate that Rio Rancho is safer than 52% of every city located within New Mexico along with 24% of the all the cities located in the United States. The results of these graphs are created after analyzing each of the cities in New Mexico and in the United States as a whole. As a result, Rio Rancho, NM is ranked below average when compared to the rest of the US cities.

      Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Rio Rancho

      The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Rio Rancho is 1 in 243
      The chance of being a victim of property crime in Rio Rancho is 1 in 68
      The chance of being a victim of crime in Rio Rancho is 1 in 53
      Are you curious to know the likelihood of suffering from a crime in Rio Rancho? If you reside in Rio Rancho, the likelihood that you will become a victim of a violent crime is 1 in 243. Violent crimes include: murder, sexual assault, robbery, and physical assault. There is a 1 in 68 change that you will become a victim of a property crime. These sorts of crimes against personal property include: burglary, theft, and auto theft. In total, the likelihood of being victimized by a crime in Rio Rancho, is 1 in 53.

      Year Over Year Crime In Rio Rancho (per 100,000 people)

      A good indicator of whether Rio Rancho is becoming a safer or a more dangerous place to live can be determined by analyzing the year over year crime rate (per 100,000 people). The number of violent crimes in Rio Rancho has decreased by 10%, while the property crime rate in Rio Rancho has decreased by 11% year over year. The number of total crimes in Rio Rancho has decreased by 11% year over year.

      Rio Rancho police department

      Item Rio Rancho New Mexico National
      Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)2223,705558,732
      Police officers & civilians /1000 residents2.54.43.3
      There are a total of 222 Rio Rancho police officers. This results in 2.5 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 43.7% less than the New Mexico average and 23.7% less than the National average.

      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
      Corrales, NM8,636118377494
      Sandia Heights, NM3,111143550693
      Carnuel, NM1,037152585736
      Placitas, NM4,506195750945
      Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, NM6,1202449391,183
      Algodones, NM9763031,1671,469
      San Felipe Pueblo, NM1,7673061,1811,488
      Rio Rancho, NM97,9764121,4901,902

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
      Orem, UT97,8831531,4811,634
      Edinburg, TX97,7342992,1812,480
      Yuma, AZ97,4284601,4651,925
      Beaverton, OR98,5672722,0962,368
      Lawrence, KS97,348157779936
      Rio Rancho, NM97,9764121,4901,902
      Source: The Rio Rancho, NM crime data displayed above is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reports for the year of 2023. 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.