Is Charlotte - Mecklenburg or Hays Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Hays is safer than Charlotte - Mecklenburg (Safety Score 50/100 vs 6/100), with a total crime rate of 1,694 per 100,000 versus 4,439 for Charlotte - Mecklenburg — 62% lower. Charlotte - Mecklenburg has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Hays has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Charlotte - Mecklenburg is 47.7x 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
Hays — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Charlotte - Mecklenburg, NC
Hays, KS
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Charlotte - Mecklenburg | Hays | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,439.0 | 1,694.4 | +2,744.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 733.7 | 233.2 | +500.5 |
| Murder Rate | 10.9 | 0.0 | +10.9 |
| Rape Rate | 24.9 | 57.1 | -32.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 130.4 | 9.5 | +120.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 567.0 | 166.6 | +400.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,705.3 | 1,461.1 | +2,244.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 427.1 | 171.3 | +255.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,518.2 | 1,218.4 | +1,299.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 760.0 | 71.4 | +688.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Charlotte - Mecklenburg or Hays safer?
Hays is safer with a total crime rate of 1,694 per 100K vs 4,439 for Charlotte - Mecklenburg — a 62% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Charlotte - Mecklenburg has a violent crime rate of 733.7 per 100K while Hays has 233.2. Hays 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 Hays, KS
Hays, Kansas, once a frontier outpost for Fort Hays, is a city in Ellis County with a population of around 21,000. Located on I-70 in the High Plains, it's home to Fort Hays State University. With a safety score of 50/100 and a population coverage of 21,011, Hays has a total crime rate of 1,694.4 per 100,000 residents.
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