Is Charlotte - Mecklenburg or Portales Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Portales is safer than Charlotte - Mecklenburg (Safety Score 11/100 vs 6/100), with a total crime rate of 3,653 per 100,000 versus 4,439 for Charlotte - Mecklenburg — 18% lower. Charlotte - Mecklenburg has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Portales has a 67% lower rate.
Note: Charlotte - Mecklenburg is 85.2x 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
Portales — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Charlotte - Mecklenburg, NC
Portales, NM
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Charlotte - Mecklenburg | Portales | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,439.0 | 3,652.7 | +786.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 733.7 | 781.5 | -47.8 |
| Murder Rate | 10.9 | 8.5 | +2.4 |
| Rape Rate | 24.9 | 51.0 | -26.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 130.4 | 42.5 | +87.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 567.0 | 679.6 | -112.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,705.3 | 2,871.2 | +834.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 427.1 | 1,495.1 | -1,068.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,518.2 | 1,070.3 | +1,447.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 760.0 | 305.8 | +454.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Charlotte - Mecklenburg or Portales safer?
Portales is safer with a total crime rate of 3,653 per 100K vs 4,439 for Charlotte - Mecklenburg — a 18% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Charlotte - Mecklenburg has a violent crime rate of 733.7 per 100K while Portales has 781.5. 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 Portales, NM
Portales, New Mexico, a Roosevelt County seat, is known for its peanut industry and as home to Eastern New Mexico University. This small city, with a population around 12,000, sits on the High Plains near the Texas border. With a safety score of 11/100 and a population coverage of 11,772, Portales has a total crime rate of 3,652.7 per 100,000 residents.
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