Is Charlotte - Mecklenburg or Rapid City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Charlotte - Mecklenburg is safer than Rapid City (Safety Score 6/100 vs 6/100), with a total crime rate of 4,439 per 100,000 versus 4,516 for Rapid City — 2% lower. Charlotte - Mecklenburg has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Rapid City has a 43% lower rate.
Note: Charlotte - Mecklenburg is 12.4x 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
Rapid City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Charlotte - Mecklenburg, NC
Rapid City, SD
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Charlotte - Mecklenburg | Rapid City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,439.0 | 4,516.0 | -77.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 733.7 | 723.8 | +9.9 |
| Murder Rate | 10.9 | 6.2 | +4.7 |
| Rape Rate | 24.9 | 135.9 | -111.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 130.4 | 103.8 | +26.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 567.0 | 473.1 | +93.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,705.3 | 3,792.1 | -86.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 427.1 | 427.4 | -0.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,518.2 | 2,986.8 | -468.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 760.0 | 378.0 | +382.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Charlotte - Mecklenburg or Rapid City safer?
Charlotte - Mecklenburg is safer with a total crime rate of 4,439 per 100K vs 4,516 for Rapid City — a 2% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Charlotte - Mecklenburg has a violent crime rate of 733.7 per 100K while Rapid City has 723.8. Rapid City 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 Rapid City, SD
Rapid City, nestled at the foot of the Black Hills, is a gateway to Mount Rushmore. This city in western South Dakota has a population of over 78,000, making it the second largest in the state. With a safety score of 6/100 and a population coverage of 80,957, Rapid City has a total crime rate of 4,516.0 per 100,000 residents.
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