| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Roswell/100k people | New Mexico/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 1,567 | n/a (estimate) | 3,357 | 3,468 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 6 | n/a | 12.9 | 10.5 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 38 | n/a | 81.4 | 53.8 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 20 | n/a | 42.8 | 65.3 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 332 | n/a | 711.3 | 587.5 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 396 | n/a (estimate) | 848 | 717 | 359 |
| Burglary | 200 | n/a | 428.5 | 500.3 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 879 | n/a | 1,883.2 | 1,750.9 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 92 | n/a | 197.1 | 499.9 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 1,171 | n/a (estimate) | 2,509 | 2,751 | 1,760 |
The Roswell crime rates are 58.4% 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 396 violent crimes in Roswell (848 per 100,000 people), which is 136.3% higher than the national average and there were a total of 1171 property crimes (2509 per 100,000 residents) which is 42.5% higher than average.
With a violent crime rate of 848 crimes per 100,000 residents, Roswell is known as one of the most dangerous cities in the United States. In fact, Roswell ranks in the bottom 10% of all cities that reported violent crime last year. This translates into a 1 in 118 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime. Keep in mind that some areas will be safer than others and this doesn't necessarily mean that the entire city suffers from a high violent crime rate.
While murder rates in the United States have shown a consistent decline since 1990, recent years have witnessed an increase. Unfortunately, Roswell ranks among the cities with the highest murder rates in the nation, when compared to all reporting cities in the U.S. In Roswell, there were a total of 6 murders, translating to 13 murders per 100,000 residents. This alarming statistic underscores the need for heightened attention to community safety and crime prevention efforts in the area.
AreaVibes has conducted polls asking local residents if they feel safe living in Roswell. Based on the results of the surveys (62 responses), 29% of people felt that there was very little crime in Roswell and felt safe walking alone at night. While 71% of people felt that it was not a safe place to live and did not feel safe walking alone at night.
Is Roswell a safe place to live? While the answer may not be straightforward due to variations in safety levels across the city, gaining an understanding of the overall crime rate can prove to be advantageous. In general, Roswell has a crime rate that is higher than the national average by 58%. Breaking this down on a daily basis, it translates to 4.29 daily incidents, encompassing 1.08 violent crimes and 3.21 property crimes. Evaluating these statistics can aid in forming a more informed perspective on the safety of Roswell as a potential place to call home.
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 Roswell 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 Roswell has decreased by 28.7% year over year. Violent crime has decreased by 2% and property crime has decreased by 34.7%.
In areas where employment options are limited or where a significant proportion of jobs offer meager wages, the likelihood of heightened unemployment and homelessness increases. Regions facing challenges related to unemployment or inadequate income may become more vulnerable to a surge in crime stemming from economic instability. While low unemployment rates tend to lead to reduced crime in most areas. Roswell currently has an unemployment rate of 3.4%, contrasting with the national average of 4.9%. This could be one of many factors that could contribute to a higher or lower crime rate.
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 Roswell, the cost of living is 13.7% lower than the national average, reflecting a more affordable economic environment that could contribute to a decrease in crime levels.
The median home price in Roswell is $201,947, compared to the national average of $326,622. High housing costs can lead to financial stress for residents. When individuals struggle to make ends meet due to expensive housing, they may be more inclined to engage in criminal activities to address their financial difficulties, such as theft or fraud. Communities with stable housing environments tend to foster stronger social bonds and community engagement. This can lead to increased vigilance and cooperation among residents, which can deter criminal behavior.
Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.
| Item | Roswell | New Mexico | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 112 | 3,705 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 2.3 | 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 |
| Dexter, NM | 1,098 | 341 | 1,307 | 1,647 |
| Midway, NM | 651 | 1,020 | 3,912 | 4,932 |
| Roswell, NM | 49,357 | 848 | 2,509 | 3,357 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Covina, CA | 49,338 | 353 | 1,612 | 1,965 |
| Sheboygan, WI | 49,294 | 427 | 1,288 | 1,715 |
| Wauwatosa, WI | 49,450 | 207 | 2,483 | 2,689 |
| Jeffersonville, IN | 49,450 | 322 | 1,666 | 1,988 |
| Ceres, CA | 49,472 | 397 | 1,848 | 2,245 |
| Roswell, NM | 49,357 | 848 | 2,509 | 3,357 |
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