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D-

Is Roswell, New Mexico Safe?

Population 46,878 · Safer than 15% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

With a violent crime rate below the national average, Roswell faces real safety challenges. It earns a D- grade and ranks below 85% of US cities. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,843 per 100K.

Roswell Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricRoswellNew Mexico AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate304.0332.8363.8
Property Crime Rate2447.72123.71,832.3
Murder Rate6.0--5.7
Assault Rate231.0--268.2
Theft Rate1843.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate443.0--318.3

All rates per 100,000 residents. 2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report + Census Bureau population estimates.

Overall SafetyD-

275.2 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC

304/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD-

2448/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Roswell

Violent crime in Roswell is below the national average. The rate of 304.0 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2447.7 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,843 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Roswell Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder6
01.1x national avgAvg: 5.7
Assault231
086% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery37
058% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary394
01.5x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,843
01.3x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft443
01.4x national avgAvg: 318.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. Vertical marker = national average.

How Roswell Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Roswell
304.0
State
332.8
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Roswell
2447.7
State
2123.7
National
1832.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. National averages from 2023 FBI UCR data.

Frequently Asked Questions About Roswell Safety

Is Roswell safe?
Not especially. Roswell earns a D- with a crime rate of 275.2 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs below the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Roswell?
275.2 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 304.0 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2447.7 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Roswell safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Roswell's D- grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,843 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Roswell?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Roswell generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Roswell police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Roswell?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Roswell's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a D- grade overall.
How does Roswell compare to other cities in New Mexico?
Below average for the state. Roswell ranks behind about 78% of New Mexico cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.3x the national rate.
How safe is Roswell to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is below the national average, which is encouraging. The upward trend in crime is concerning.
How bad is crime in Roswell?
Bad. A D- grade and 275.2 per-thousand rate put Roswell below 85% of US cities. Violent crime at 304 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Roswell?
304.0 per 100,000, which is 16% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (231), robbery (37), and murder (6.0) per 100,000.

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View all New Mexico city safety grades

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2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report data and Census Bureau population estimates. Safety grades calculated using national and state-level crime rate distributions. Not a substitute for local law enforcement guidance.

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