Is Charlotte - Mecklenburg or Waterloo Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Waterloo is safer than Charlotte - Mecklenburg (Safety Score 21/100 vs 6/100), with a total crime rate of 2,921 per 100,000 versus 4,439 for Charlotte - Mecklenburg — 34% lower. Charlotte - Mecklenburg has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Waterloo has a 73% lower rate.
Note: Charlotte - Mecklenburg is 15.1x 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
Waterloo — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Charlotte - Mecklenburg, NC
Waterloo, IA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Charlotte - Mecklenburg | Waterloo | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,439.0 | 2,920.8 | +1,518.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 733.7 | 476.0 | +257.7 |
| Murder Rate | 10.9 | 4.5 | +6.4 |
| Rape Rate | 24.9 | 39.2 | -14.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 130.4 | 34.7 | +95.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 567.0 | 397.7 | +169.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,705.3 | 2,444.8 | +1,260.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 427.1 | 586.0 | -158.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,518.2 | 1,658.5 | +859.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 760.0 | 200.4 | +559.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Charlotte - Mecklenburg or Waterloo safer?
Waterloo is safer with a total crime rate of 2,921 per 100K vs 4,439 for Charlotte - Mecklenburg — a 34% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Charlotte - Mecklenburg has a violent crime rate of 733.7 per 100K while Waterloo has 476.0. Waterloo 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 Waterloo, IA
Waterloo, Iowa, a city in Black Hawk County, was once a hub for the Illinois Central Railroad. Situated along the Cedar River, its population is diverse, with a notable African American community. With a safety score of 21/100 and a population coverage of 66,385, Waterloo has a total crime rate of 2,920.8 per 100,000 residents.
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