Is Charlotte - Mecklenburg or Kelso Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Kelso is safer than Charlotte - Mecklenburg (Safety Score 36/100 vs 6/100), with a total crime rate of 2,163 per 100,000 versus 4,439 for Charlotte - Mecklenburg — 51% lower. Charlotte - Mecklenburg has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Kelso has a 69% lower rate.
Note: Charlotte - Mecklenburg is 79.5x 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
Kelso — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Charlotte - Mecklenburg, NC
Kelso, WA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Charlotte - Mecklenburg | Kelso | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,439.0 | 2,163.2 | +2,275.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 733.7 | 229.8 | +503.9 |
| Murder Rate | 10.9 | 7.9 | +3.0 |
| Rape Rate | 24.9 | 47.5 | -22.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 130.4 | 87.2 | +43.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 567.0 | 87.2 | +479.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,705.3 | 1,933.4 | +1,771.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 427.1 | 285.3 | +141.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,518.2 | 1,481.8 | +1,036.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 760.0 | 166.4 | +593.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Charlotte - Mecklenburg or Kelso safer?
Kelso is safer with a total crime rate of 2,163 per 100K vs 4,439 for Charlotte - Mecklenburg — a 51% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Charlotte - Mecklenburg has a violent crime rate of 733.7 per 100K while Kelso has 229.8. Kelso 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 Kelso, WA
Kelso, Washington, a Cowlitz River city founded by Peter Crawford, is known as the "Smelt Capital of the World." Situated in Cowlitz County, it shares a border with Longview, and its population was 12,969 as of the 2020 census. With a safety score of 36/100 and a population coverage of 12,620, Kelso has a total crime rate of 2,163.2 per 100,000 residents.
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