Violent
Property
Total
Carlsbad, NM Crime Rate & Safety
FBI-verified crime statistics for 2024 | Population: 31,243
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Carlsbad, New Mexico Safe?
Carlsbad has a safety score of 39/100 (Higher Crime Than Average). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 3,315.9 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Carlsbad ranks #5 out of 14 cities in New Mexico and #2524 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 15th percentile for safety — with higher crime than 85% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in Carlsbad is aggravated assault, at 473.7 per 100K — 1.4x the national average. Conversely, robbery is relatively low at just 0.1x the national rate.
Year over year, Carlsbad's total crime rate increased by 5.4%, with violent crime declining 6.7%.
Carlsbad Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 164 | 524.9 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 1 | 3.2 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 11 | 35.2 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 4 | 12.8 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 148 | 473.7 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 872 | 2,791.0 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 102 | 326.5 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 641 | 2,051.7 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 129 | 412.9 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Carlsbad vs New Mexico Average
How does Carlsbad's crime rate compare to the New Mexico state average?
| Metric | Carlsbad | New Mexico Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 524.9 | 968.4 | -45.8% |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,791.0 | 4,110.2 | -32.1% |
| Murder Rate | 3.2 | 14.0 | -77.1% |
| Total Crime Rate | 3,315.9 | 5,078.6 | -34.7% |
Carlsbad Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Carlsbad, New Mexico.
| Year | Population | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 31,243 | 3,315.9 | 524.9 | 2,791.0 |
| 2023 | 31,287 | 3,145.1 | 562.5 | 2,582.5 |
| 2022 | 31,532 | 3,402.9 | 561.3 | 2,841.6 |
| 2021 | 30,029 | 2,973.8 | 456.2 | 2,517.6 |
| 2020 | 30,233 | 3,721.1 | 595.4 | 3,125.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Carlsbad, New Mexico safe?
Carlsbad has a safety score of 39/100. With a total crime rate of 3,315.9 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Carlsbad is higher than average in crime compared to the national average.
What is the crime rate in Carlsbad, New Mexico?
According to FBI data for 2024, Carlsbad has a violent crime rate of 524.9 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 2,791.0 per 100,000 residents.
How does Carlsbad compare to the national average?
Carlsbad's total crime rate of 3,315.9 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The city has a population of 31,243.
What types of crime are most common in Carlsbad?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Carlsbad include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Carlsbad safe to visit?
Like any city, Carlsbad has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 39/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.