F
66%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
138%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
53%
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 peopleRoswell/100k peopleNew Mexico/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime1,841n/a (estimate)3,8663,7652,324
Murder9n/a18.912.06.3
Rape38n/a79.854.640.0
Robbery28n/a58.8110.666.1
Assault345n/a724.4603.3268.2
Violent crime420n/a (estimate)882781370
Burglary223n/a468.2604.0269.8
Theft1,036n/a2,175.31,838.41,401.9
Vehicle theft162n/a340.2541.7282.7
Property crime1,421n/a (estimate)2,9842,9841,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Roswell, NM

Looking at the most recent crime report, the crime rate in Roswell is 66.3% higher than the national average. These crimes fall into two primary categories: violent and property. Violent crimes encompass murder, rape, robbery and assault, while property crimes involve theft, vehicle theft and burglary. In Roswell, there were 420 reported violent crimes, equivalent to 882 per 100,000 individuals, 138.5% higher than the national average. Additionally, there were 1421 property crimes, amounting to 2984 per 100,000 residents, 52.7% higher than the U.S. average.

With a violent crime rate of 882 crimes per 100,000 residents, Roswell is known as one of the most dangerous cities in the United States. In fact, Roswell ranks in the bottom 10% of all cities that reported violent crime last year. This translates into a 1 in 114 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime. Keep in mind that some areas will be safer than others and this doesn't necessarily mean that the entire city suffers from a high violent crime rate.

Although murder rates are essentially half of what they used to be 30+ years ago, some cities still struggle with higher rates than others. Roswell is one of those cities. In the last reported crime year, there were a total of 9 murders in Roswell, which equates to 19 murders per 100,000 people. This results in Roswell being a very dangerous place to live.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Roswell?

AreaVibes has conducted polls asking local residents if they feel safe living in Roswell. Based on the results of the surveys (55 responses), 31% of people felt that there was very little crime in Roswell and felt safe walking alone at night. While 69% of people felt that it was not a safe place to live and did not feel safe walking alone at night.

Is Roswell a Safe Place to Live?

To get a feel for the safety of living in Roswell, it's essential to analyze both the overall crime rate and the daily incident count. Roswell presents a total crime rate that is 66% higher than the national average per 100,000 residents. Consequently, Roswell experiences an average of 5.04 daily crimes, comprising 1.15 violent incidents and 3.89 property-related offenses. This evaluation offers a comprehensive understanding of the safety landscape, aiding individuals in making informed decisions when considering relocation.

Has Crime in Roswell Increased Since Last Year?

In the most recent crime report, year-over-year crime rates in Roswell has decreased by 16.2%. Examining the change in crime rates from one year to the next provides valuable insights into the evolving safety landscape of Roswell, aiding residents in assessing whether it is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live. These crime rates are categorized into two primary groups: violent and property crimes. Year-over-year, violent crime has increased by 4%, while property crime has decreased by 20.8%. This comprehensive analysis offers potential residents essential information for making informed decisions about whether or not Roswell is a safe place to live.

Potential Causes for Crime in Roswell

Regions characterized by high population density frequently encompass expansive urban hubs that offer diverse economic prospects. In such areas, income inequality can be exacerbated, creating pockets of poverty alongside affluence. Economic disparities within these regions may correlate with elevated property crimes and, in certain instances, violent crimes. Conversely, areas with low population density numbers generally exhibit reduced Roswell crime rates. Roswell registers a population density of 1606.9 people per square mile, in contrast to the national average of 90.6 people per square mile.

In Roswell, 74.3% of residents have graduated from high school, whereas the national average stands at 83%. The educational makeup of a community can exert a significant influence on crime rates. Typically, higher levels of educational attainment are associated with reduced crime rates, as they furnish individuals with improved employment prospects and viable alternatives to engaging in criminal activities. Conversely, communities characterized by lower educational achievement often grapple with higher crime rates, as limited opportunities may drive individuals towards criminal behavior.

In Roswell, the median home price stands at $110,000, diverging from the national average of $184,700. Elevated housing costs often induce financial strain among residents. When individuals grapple with the challenges of affording housing, they may find themselves compelled to resort to criminal activities as a means of addressing their financial hardships, including acts like theft or fraud. This predicament is particularly pronounced in areas where housing affordability poses a persistent issue, giving rise to heightened concerns regarding crime. In such instances, some individuals and families may find themselves constrained to reside in cramped or subpar housing conditions, exacerbating stress levels and potentially fostering domestic disputes and associated criminal incidents.

Roswell crime map



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

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      Crime Quick Facts

      • Roswell crime rates are 66% higher than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Roswell are 138% higher than the national average
      • In Roswell you have a 1 in 26 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Roswell is safer than 6% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Roswell has decreased by 16%

      Roswell, NM Crime Quiz

         

        Safest Places to Live in and Around Roswell

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        See all Roswell poll results

        Daily Crime In Roswell (per 100,000 people)

        The number of daily crimes per 100,000 residents in Roswell, New Mexico is displayed in the graph above. As you can see, the daily crimes for Roswell are 1.03 times more than the New Mexico average and 1.66 times more than the national level. Daily violent crimes in Roswell are 1.13 times more than than New Mexico and 2.38 times more than the national mean. While daily property crimes in Roswell are 1.00 times less than than New Mexico and 1.53 times more than the national average.

        How Safe is Roswell (higher is better)

        Is Roswell safe in comparison to other cities in the state of New Mexico as well as in comparison to the rest of the areas across the United States. Using the gauges above, which compare crime in Roswell to other cities in the state and across the country, Roswell is 17% safer than other cities of New Mexico and 6% safer than other cities in the nation. Roswell has a ranks above average in comparison to other cities in the country.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Roswell

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Roswell is 1 in 114
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Roswell is 1 in 34
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Roswell is 1 in 26
        Are you at risk of becoming a victim of crime in Roswell, New Mexico? If you reside in Roswell, then there is a 1 in 114 chance that you will experience a violent crime. These types of crimes may include homicide, sexual assault, robbery, and physical assault. Your risk of being a victim of property crime is 1 in 34. These types of crime include burglary, petty theft, and theft of motor vehicles. Altogether, there is a 1 in 26 risk that you will become a victim of crime in Roswell.

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

        The year over year crime rate per 100,000 people for Roswell is an accurate tool for tracking the rise and fall of crime, and in determining if living in Roswell has become safer or more dangerous. The year over year data displayed in the graph shows that violent crimes have increased by 4% in Roswell, while property crimes in Roswell have decreased by 21%. Total crime has decreased by 16% year over year.

        Roswell police department

        Item Roswell New Mexico National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)1123,705558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents2.34.43.3
        There are a total of 112 Roswell police officers. This results in 2.3 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 47.7% less than the New Mexico average and 29.2% 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
        Dexter, NM1,061000
        Midway, NM6384121,5761,988
        Roswell, NM47,7518822,9843,866

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Covina, CA47,7873292,8033,132
        Dublin, OH47,824681,1251,193
        Minot, ND47,8342981,0471,345
        Chesterfield, MO47,603711,5151,585
        Monroe, LA47,9062,7376,7229,459
        Roswell, NM47,7518822,9843,866
        Source: The Roswell, 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.