Is Charlotte - Mecklenburg or Fort Smith Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Charlotte - Mecklenburg is safer than Fort Smith (Safety Score 6/100 vs 5/100), with a total crime rate of 4,439 per 100,000 versus 4,528 for Fort Smith — 2% lower. Charlotte - Mecklenburg has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Fort Smith has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Charlotte - Mecklenburg is 11.1x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Charlotte - Mecklenburg — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Fort Smith — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Charlotte - Mecklenburg, NC
Fort Smith, AR
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Charlotte - Mecklenburg | Fort Smith | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,439.0 | 4,527.8 | -88.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 733.7 | 843.6 | -109.9 |
| Murder Rate | 10.9 | 0.0 | +10.9 |
| Rape Rate | 24.9 | 90.0 | -65.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 130.4 | 65.6 | +64.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 567.0 | 686.8 | -119.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,705.3 | 3,684.3 | +21.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 427.1 | 466.8 | -39.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,518.2 | 2,904.1 | -385.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 760.0 | 313.4 | +446.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Charlotte - Mecklenburg or Fort Smith safer?
Charlotte - Mecklenburg is safer with a total crime rate of 4,439 per 100K vs 4,528 for Fort Smith — a 2% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Charlotte - Mecklenburg has a violent crime rate of 733.7 per 100K while Fort Smith has 843.6. Charlotte - Mecklenburg has lower violent crime.
About Charlotte - Mecklenburg, NC
Charlotte-Mecklenburg, a major financial hub, sits in the Carolina Piedmont. The region is home to the NASCAR Hall of Fame, reflecting its deep ties to motorsports. Its diverse population has grown significantly, making it North Carolina's largest county. With a safety score of 6/100 and a population coverage of 1,003,130, Charlotte - Mecklenburg has a total crime rate of 4,439.0 per 100,000 residents.
About Fort Smith, AR
Fort Smith, once a frontier military post, sits on the Arkansas River bordering Oklahoma. This city of over 89,000 residents is the second-largest urban area in Arkansas. With a safety score of 5/100 and a population coverage of 89,977, Fort Smith has a total crime rate of 4,527.8 per 100,000 residents.
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