Carlsbad, NM Crime Rates: Stats & Map

F

46%

Total crime NAT. AVG.

51%

Violent crime NAT. AVG.

45%

Property crime NAT. AVG.

Date & Last Updated: This data reflects the 2022 calendar year and was released from the FBI in September, 2023; this is the most current data available.

Statistic	Reported_incidents	_{/100k people}	Carlsbad_{/100k people}	New Mexico_{/100k people}	National_{/100k people}
Total crime	1,071	n/a (estimate)	3,397	3,765	2,324
Murder	1	n/a	3.2	12.0	6.3
Rape	10	n/a	31.7	54.6	40.0
Robbery	13	n/a	41.2	110.6	66.1
Assault	152	n/a	482.0	603.3	268.2
Violent crime	176	n/a (estimate)	558	781	370
Burglary	100	n/a	317.1	604.0	269.8
Theft	650	n/a	2,061.4	1,838.4	1,401.9
Vehicle theft	145	n/a	459.9	541.7	282.7
Property crime	895	n/a (estimate)	2,838	2,984	1,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Carlsbad, NM

The Carlsbad crime rates are 46.1% 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 176 violent crimes in Carlsbad (558 per 100,000 people), which is 50.9% higher than the national average and there were a total of 895 property crimes (2838 per 100,000 residents) which is 45.2% higher than average.

The surge in vehicle thefts is a concerning trend across the United States, and Carlsbad is no exception, experiencing one of the nation's highest vehicle theft rates. Last year, Carlsbad reported a total of 145 vehicle thefts, resulting in 460 stolen vehicles per 100,000 people. This places the city in the lowest 10% tier among all cities, indicating that 90% of cities have less stolen vehicles. The probability of a vehicle being stolen stands at 1 in 218, underscoring the need for heightened vigilance and security measures.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Carlsbad?

What is the prevailing sentiment among Carlsbad residents regarding the state of crime? A comprehensive survey conducted by AreaVibes, involving 25 respondents, sheds light on this matter. The results were as follows: 24% of Carlsbad residents expressed a notable sense of security, asserting that crime was virtually non-existent in their community, and they felt at ease strolling the streets after dark. While, 76% of those surveyed held a contrasting viewpoint, perceiving a higher incidence of crime, leading them to feel apprehensive about walking alone at night.

Is Carlsbad a Safe Place to Live?

To get a feel for the safety of living in Carlsbad, it's essential to analyze both the overall crime rate and the daily incident count. Carlsbad presents a total crime rate that is 46% higher than the national average per 100,000 residents. Consequently, Carlsbad experiences an average of 2.93 daily crimes, comprising 0.48 violent incidents and 2.45 property-related offenses. This evaluation offers a comprehensive understanding of the safety landscape, aiding individuals in making informed decisions when considering relocation.

Has Crime in Carlsbad Increased Since Last Year?

Year-over-year crime data allows us to analyze short-term trends in crime activity. By comparing crime rates from one year to the next, we can identify patterns and shifts in Carlsbad crime rates. This information can be invaluable for residents looking to make informed decisions on where to live. When comparing the most recent year to the previous year, total crime in Carlsbad has increased by 11% year over year. Violent crime has increased by 16.6% and property crime has increased by 10%.

Potential Causes for Crime in Carlsbad

The economic prosperity of a city's inhabitants exerts substantial influence on crime stats. Elevated poverty rates and income inequality can precipitate heightened criminal activity, as individuals may turn to illicit means to fulfill their fundamental requirements. While lower poverty rates could lead to lower Carlsbad crime rates. In Carlsbad, the poverty rate stands at 14.7%, diverging from the national average of 15.1%.

In Carlsbad, 80.2% of residents have successfully graduated from high school, whereas the national average stands at 83%. The educational makeup of any city can exert a significant influence on crime rates. Typically, higher levels of educational attainment are associated with reduced crime rates, as they furnish individuals with improved employment prospects and viable alternatives to engaging in criminal activities. Conversely, communities characterized by lower educational achievement often grapple with higher crime rates, as limited opportunities may drive individuals towards criminal behavior.

Rising cost of living expenses, including increased housing costs, grocery, utility and healthcare expenditures, can induce financial strain on individuals and families, particularly those with limited financial resources. Such economic stress may propel individuals towards crime, including theft or burglary, as a means of addressing their financial hardships. Conversely, cities characterized by a lower cost of living may alleviate economic pressures, potentially resulting in a reduced crime rate. In Carlsbad, the cost of living is 11.43% lower than the national average, reflecting a more affordable economic environment that could contribute to a decrease in crime levels.

Carlsbad crime map

The Carlsbad crime map provides a detailed overview of all crimes in Carlsbad as reported by the local law enforcement agencies. Based on the color coded legend above, the crime map outlines the areas with lower crime compared to the areas with higher crime. The Carlsbad crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the Carlsbad crime map does not always indicate that it is a dangerous area for its residents. Areas on the heat map could be inflated if they are located in high traffic areas like airports, sports centers or large parks. Other areas on the heat map could see increased crime rates if they are located in major tourist areas like the downtown core.

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Crime Quick Facts

Carlsbad crime rates are 46% higher than the national average
Violent crimes in Carlsbad are 51% higher than the national average
In Carlsbad you have a 1 in 30 chance of becoming a victim of crime
Carlsbad is safer than 13% of the cities in the United States
Year over year crime in Carlsbad has increased by 6%

Carlsbad, NM Crime Quiz

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Daily Crime In Carlsbad (per 100,000 people)

The above illustration depicts the number of crimes committed daily in Carlsbad, per 100,000 residents. In Carlsbad, the total number of daily crimes is 1.11 times less than the New Mexico average and 1.46 times more than the national average. Violent daily crime statistics in Carlsbad are 1.40 times less than the New Mexico average and 1.51 times more than the national average. For property crime, Carlsbad has a daily crime rate that is 1.05 times less than the New Mexico average and 1.45 times more than the daily national average.

How Safe is Carlsbad (higher is better)

Is Carlsbad safe in comparison to other cities in the state of New Mexico as well as in comparison to the rest of the areas across the United States. Using the gauges above, which compare crime in Carlsbad to other cities in the state and across the country, Carlsbad is 31% safer than other cities of New Mexico and 13% safer than other cities in the nation. Carlsbad has a ranks below average in comparison to other cities in the country.

Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Carlsbad

The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Carlsbad is 1 in 180

The chance of being a victim of property crime in Carlsbad is 1 in 36

The chance of being a victim of crime in Carlsbad is 1 in 30

Are you curious to know the likelihood of suffering from a crime in Carlsbad? If you reside in Carlsbad, the likelihood that you will become a victim of a violent crime is 1 in 180. Violent crimes include: murder, sexual assault, robbery, and physical assault. There is a 1 in 36 change that you will become a victim of a property crime. These sorts of crimes against personal property include: burglary, theft, and auto theft. In total, the likelihood of being victimized by a crime in Carlsbad, is 1 in 30.

Year Over Year Crime In Carlsbad (per 100,000 people)

An analysis of year to year crime rates in Carlsbad, New Mexico (per 100,000 people) is a useful indicator of whether the area is becoming a safer or a more dangerous place to live. The amount of violent crime in Carlsbad has increased by 11%, the amount of property crime in Carlsbad has increased by 5%, and the total amount of crime in Carlsbad has increased by 6% year over year.

Carlsbad police department

Item	Carlsbad	New Mexico	National
Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)	82	3,705	558,732
Police officers & civilians /1000 residents	3.1	4.4	3.3

There are a total of 82 Carlsbad police officers. This results in 3.1 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 29.3% less than the New Mexico average and 4.2% less than the National average.

Sex offenders in New Mexico

State	Total offenders	New Mexico_/100K	National_/100K
New Mexico	3,129	155	266

There are a total of 3,129 sex offenders in New Mexico. This yields a total of 155 sex offenders in New Mexico per 100,000 residents which is 42% less than the national average.

Nearby Cities With Low Crime Rates

City	Population	Violent crime_{/100k people}	Property crime_{/100k people}	Total crime_{/100k people}
La Huerta, NM	1,489	109	419	528
Loving, NM	1,174	365	1,398	1,763
Livingston Wheeler, NM	444	944	3,612	4,556
Happy Valley, NM	780	973	3,722	4,695
Carlsbad, NM	29,278	558	2,838	3,397

Cities with similar population

City	Population	Violent crime_{/100k people}	Property crime_{/100k people}	Total crime_{/100k people}
Desert Hot Springs, CA	29,280	665	1,540	2,205
Jamestown, NY	29,290	791	2,914	3,705
Fortuna Foothills, AZ	29,297	537	2,558	3,094
Eagle Pass, TX	29,307	229	2,676	2,905
Central, LA	29,235	501	2,190	2,692
Carlsbad, NM	29,278	558	2,838	3,397

Source: The Carlsbad, NM crime data displayed above is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reports for the year of 2022. The crime report encompasses more than 18,000 city and state law enforcement agencies reporting data on property and violent crimes. The uniform crime reports program represents approximately 309 million American residents, which results in 98% coverage of metropolitan statistical areas.