| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Belen/100k people | New Mexico/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 415 | n/a (estimate) | 5,563 | 3,765 | 2,324 |
| Murder | 1 | n/a | 13.4 | 12.0 | 6.3 |
| Rape | 4 | n/a | 53.6 | 54.6 | 40.0 |
| Robbery | 3 | n/a | 40.2 | 110.6 | 66.1 |
| Assault | 74 | n/a | 992.0 | 603.3 | 268.2 |
| Violent crime | 82 | n/a (estimate) | 1,099 | 781 | 370 |
| Burglary | 128 | n/a | 1,715.8 | 604.0 | 269.8 |
| Theft | 166 | n/a | 2,225.2 | 1,838.4 | 1,401.9 |
| Vehicle theft | 39 | n/a | 522.8 | 541.7 | 282.7 |
| Property crime | 333 | n/a (estimate) | 4,464 | 2,984 | 1,954 |
The Belen crime rates are 139.4% higher than the national average. There are two main categories of crime - violent crime and property crime. Violent crime consists of murder, rape, robbery and assault, while property crimes include burglary, theft and vehicle theft. There were a total of 82 violent crimes in Belen (1099 per 100,000 people), which is 197.2% higher than the national average and there were a total of 333 property crimes (4464 per 100,000 residents) which is 128.4% higher than average.
Belen has a crime rate of 5563 per 100,000 people, which surpasses the national average by 139.35%, leading to one of the highest total crime rates in the United States. Addressing this issue is vital for improving overall safety and desirability of Belen. Efforts to reduce crime through community engagement, effective law enforcement, and collaborative initiatives are essential to create a more secure and appealing environment for residents and prospective newcomers alike.
Belen has gained notoriety as one of the most dangerous cities in the United States, given its alarming violent crime rate of 1099 crimes per 100,000 people. In fact, Belen falls within the lowest 10% among cities reporting violent crimes last year, resulting in a concerning 1 in 91 likelihood of experiencing a violent crime. It's important to note that safety levels may vary across different areas within the city, and this statistic doesn't necessarily reflect the entire city's situation regarding violent crime.
While murder rates in the United States have generally declined since 1990, recent years have seen an unfortunate uptick. Belen stands out with one of the nation's highest murder rates among cities reporting crime data. In Belen, a total of 1 murders were reported, equating to 13 murders per 100,000 residents. This statistic underscores the challenges facing the area in terms of severe violent crime and the importance of ongoing efforts to enhance safety and security within the community.
Belen reports one of the nation's highest property crime rates, with 4464 incidents per 100,000 people, positioning it among the worst 10% of American cities reporting crime. This unfortunate statistic translates to a 1 in 23 chance of falling victim to property crime in Belen, significantly surpassing the national average. These figures underscore the city's challenges in combating property-related offenses, necessitating a concerted effort to enhance security and community safety.
Recently, vehicle thefts have seen an upward trend across the United States, and Belen ranks among the cities with the highest vehicle theft rates in the country. Last year, there were 39 vehicle thefts, amounting to 523 stolen vehicles per 100,000 residents. This places Belen within the worst 10% of all cities, indicating that 90% of cities fare better in terms of vehicle theft rates. The likelihood of your vehicle being stolen stands at 1 in 192.
AreaVibes has conducted polls asking local residents if they feel safe living in Belen. Based on the results of the surveys (21 responses), 14% of people felt that there was very little crime in Belen and felt safe walking alone at night. While 86% of people felt that it was not a safe place to live and did not feel safe walking alone at night.
Before you decide to relocate, it’s always good to ask yourself “Is Belen a safe place to live?” Although the answer might not be that simple, as some areas are safer than others, getting a good feel for the overall rate of crime can definitely be helpful. Overall, the Belen crime rate is 139% higher than the national average. If we break that down daily, that translates into 1.14 crimes per day - 0.22 violent crimes and 0.91 property crimes.
Year-over-year crime data allows residents and potential residents to assess the crime in Belen. A decrease in crime rates may indicate improving safety, while an increase could raise concerns. The year-over-year crime rate in Belen has decreased by 19.6%. Violent crimes have decreased by 43.1%, while property crimes have decreased by 10.5%. By comparing crime rates from one year to the next, authorities and communities can identify trends and patterns in criminal activity. This helps in understanding whether crime is increasing, decreasing, or remaining stable over time.
High population density areas are often large urban centers with diverse economic opportunities. These areas can exacerbate income inequality, with pockets of poverty existing alongside affluence. Areas with economic disparities may experience higher property crimes and, in some cases, violent crimes. On the other hand, areas with low population density tend to see lower Belen crime rates. The population density in Belen is 392.6 people per square mile, while the national average is 90.6 people per square mile.
In Belen, the cost of living is 15.32% lower than the national average. A substantial cost of living can burden residents, particularly those with constrained financial means. When individuals contend with steep housing expenses, grocery bills, utility costs, healthcare and essential needs that strain their budgets, they may turn to criminal activities, such as theft or fraud, as a means of financial survival. Conversely, cities characterized by a more affordable cost of living may alleviate economic pressures, which could potentially lead to decreased crime rates.
High rental costs can limit economic mobility, making it difficult for individuals to save money, invest in education, or access better job opportunities. This can perpetuate a cycle of poverty and increase the risk of involvement in criminal activities. In summary, high rental costs can create economic challenges, overcrowding, and neighborhood dynamics that may increase the likelihood of certain types of crime, particularly property crimes. In Belen, the average rental rates are $771 per month, compared to the national average of $949.
| Item | Belen | New Mexico | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 22 | 3,705 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 3.0 | 4.4 | 3.3 |
| State | Total offenders | New Mexico /100K | National /100K |
| New Mexico | 3,129 | 155 | 266 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| El Cerro, NM | 3,138 | 273 | 1,046 | 1,319 |
| Valencia, NM | 1,995 | 281 | 1,076 | 1,357 |
| Peralta, NM | 3,599 | 350 | 1,049 | 1,399 |
| Las Maravillas, NM | 1,960 | 325 | 1,244 | 1,570 |
| Bosque Farms, NM | 3,833 | 317 | 1,317 | 1,635 |
| Tome, NM | 1,585 | 349 | 1,336 | 1,685 |
| Sausal, NM | 801 | 365 | 1,397 | 1,762 |
| Belen, NM | 7,476 | 1,099 | 4,464 | 5,563 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Villa Hills, KY | 7,475 | 27 | 763 | 791 |
| Greenville, AL | 7,478 | 428 | 1,820 | 2,248 |
| Hillcrest, NY | 7,478 | 335 | 1,345 | 1,680 |
| White Oak, PA | 7,472 | 289 | 1,528 | 1,817 |
| Robinwood, MD | 7,482 | 380 | 1,561 | 1,941 |
| Belen, NM | 7,476 | 1,099 | 4,464 | 5,563 |
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