Is Charlotte - Mecklenburg or Sparks Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Sparks is safer than Charlotte - Mecklenburg (Safety Score 20/100 vs 6/100), with a total crime rate of 2,979 per 100,000 versus 4,439 for Charlotte - Mecklenburg — 33% lower. Charlotte - Mecklenburg has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Sparks has a 59% lower rate.
Note: Charlotte - Mecklenburg is 9.1x 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
Sparks — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Charlotte - Mecklenburg, NC
Sparks, NV
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Charlotte - Mecklenburg | Sparks | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,439.0 | 2,979.1 | +1,460.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 733.7 | 395.3 | +338.4 |
| Murder Rate | 10.9 | 4.5 | +6.4 |
| Rape Rate | 24.9 | 83.9 | -59.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 130.4 | 56.0 | +74.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 567.0 | 250.0 | +317.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,705.3 | 2,583.8 | +1,121.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 427.1 | 301.4 | +125.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,518.2 | 1,964.7 | +553.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 760.0 | 317.7 | +442.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Charlotte - Mecklenburg or Sparks safer?
Sparks is safer with a total crime rate of 2,979 per 100K vs 4,439 for Charlotte - Mecklenburg — a 33% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Charlotte - Mecklenburg has a violent crime rate of 733.7 per 100K while Sparks has 395.3. Sparks 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 Sparks, NV
Sparks, Nevada, a city east of Reno, was once known as "The Crossroads of the West" due to its railroad heritage. With a population exceeding 100,000, it's a significant part of the Truckee Meadows region. With a safety score of 20/100 and a population coverage of 110,807, Sparks has a total crime rate of 2,979.1 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?