Is Charlotte - Mecklenburg or Ottawa Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Ottawa is safer than Charlotte - Mecklenburg (Safety Score 64/100 vs 6/100), with a total crime rate of 1,260 per 100,000 versus 4,439 for Charlotte - Mecklenburg — 72% lower. Charlotte - Mecklenburg has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Ottawa has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Charlotte - Mecklenburg is 79.0x 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
Ottawa — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Charlotte - Mecklenburg, NC
Ottawa, KS
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Charlotte - Mecklenburg | Ottawa | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,439.0 | 1,259.6 | +3,179.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 733.7 | 149.6 | +584.1 |
| Murder Rate | 10.9 | 0.0 | +10.9 |
| Rape Rate | 24.9 | 31.5 | -6.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 130.4 | 7.9 | +122.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 567.0 | 110.2 | +456.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,705.3 | 1,110.1 | +2,595.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 427.1 | 149.6 | +277.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,518.2 | 944.7 | +1,573.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 760.0 | 15.8 | +744.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Charlotte - Mecklenburg or Ottawa safer?
Ottawa is safer with a total crime rate of 1,260 per 100K vs 4,439 for Charlotte - Mecklenburg — a 72% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Charlotte - Mecklenburg has a violent crime rate of 733.7 per 100K while Ottawa has 149.6. Ottawa 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 Ottawa, KS
Ottawa, Kansas, a town of around 12,000 residents, is the county seat of Franklin County. It was named after the Ottawa tribe, whose reservation once encompassed the area. The town is home to Ottawa University. With a safety score of 64/100 and a population coverage of 12,702, Ottawa has a total crime rate of 1,259.6 per 100,000 residents.
More Crime Rate Comparisons
Compare Charlotte - Mecklenburg
- Is Charlotte - Mecklenburg safer than New York City, NY?
- Is Charlotte - Mecklenburg safer than Los Angeles, CA?
- Is Charlotte - Mecklenburg safer than Chicago, IL?
- Is Charlotte - Mecklenburg safer than Houston, TX?
- Is Charlotte - Mecklenburg safer than Las Vegas Metro, NV?
- Is Charlotte - Mecklenburg safer than Phoenix, AZ?