Is Charlotte - Mecklenburg or Portsmouth Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Charlotte - Mecklenburg is safer than Portsmouth (Safety Score 6/100 vs 5/100), with a total crime rate of 4,439 per 100,000 versus 4,613 for Portsmouth — 4% lower. Charlotte - Mecklenburg has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Charlotte - Mecklenburg has a 71% lower rate.
Note: Charlotte - Mecklenburg is 10.3x 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
Portsmouth — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Charlotte - Mecklenburg, NC
Portsmouth, VA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Charlotte - Mecklenburg | Portsmouth | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,439.0 | 4,613.2 | -174.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 733.7 | 752.4 | -18.7 |
| Murder Rate | 10.9 | 37.1 | -26.2 |
| Rape Rate | 24.9 | 36.0 | -11.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 130.4 | 167.8 | -37.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 567.0 | 511.6 | +55.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,705.3 | 3,860.8 | -155.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 427.1 | 424.1 | +3.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,518.2 | 2,920.1 | -401.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 760.0 | 516.7 | +243.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Charlotte - Mecklenburg or Portsmouth safer?
Charlotte - Mecklenburg is safer with a total crime rate of 4,439 per 100K vs 4,613 for Portsmouth — a 4% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Charlotte - Mecklenburg has a violent crime rate of 733.7 per 100K while Portsmouth has 752.4. 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 Portsmouth, VA
Portsmouth, Virginia, established in 1752, sits across the Elizabeth River from Norfolk. Home to the historic Gosport Shipyard, it's a diverse city with a significant African American population. With a safety score of 5/100 and a population coverage of 97,156, Portsmouth has a total crime rate of 4,613.2 per 100,000 residents.
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