| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Roswell/100k people | New Mexico/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 1,841 | n/a (estimate) | 3,866 | 3,765 | 2,324 |
| Murder | 9 | n/a | 18.9 | 12.0 | 6.3 |
| Rape | 38 | n/a | 79.8 | 54.6 | 40.0 |
| Robbery | 28 | n/a | 58.8 | 110.6 | 66.1 |
| Assault | 345 | n/a | 724.4 | 603.3 | 268.2 |
| Violent crime | 420 | n/a (estimate) | 882 | 781 | 370 |
| Burglary | 223 | n/a | 468.2 | 604.0 | 269.8 |
| Theft | 1,036 | n/a | 2,175.3 | 1,838.4 | 1,401.9 |
| Vehicle theft | 162 | n/a | 340.2 | 541.7 | 282.7 |
| Property crime | 1,421 | n/a (estimate) | 2,984 | 2,984 | 1,954 |
Looking at the most recent crime report, the crime rate in Roswell is 66.3% higher than the national average. These crimes fall into two primary categories: violent and property. Violent crimes encompass murder, rape, robbery and assault, while property crimes involve theft, vehicle theft and burglary. In Roswell, there were 420 reported violent crimes, equivalent to 882 per 100,000 individuals, 138.5% higher than the national average. Additionally, there were 1421 property crimes, amounting to 2984 per 100,000 residents, 52.7% higher than the U.S. average.
With a violent crime rate of 882 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 114 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.
Although murder rates are essentially half of what they used to be 30+ years ago, some cities still struggle with higher rates than others. Roswell is one of those cities. In the last reported crime year, there were a total of 9 murders in Roswell, which equates to 19 murders per 100,000 people. This results in Roswell being a very dangerous place to live.
AreaVibes has conducted polls asking local residents if they feel safe living in Roswell. Based on the results of the surveys (55 responses), 31% of people felt that there was very little crime in Roswell and felt safe walking alone at night. While 69% of people felt that it was not a safe place to live and did not feel safe walking alone at night.
To get a feel for the safety of living in Roswell, it's essential to analyze both the overall crime rate and the daily incident count. Roswell presents a total crime rate that is 66% higher than the national average per 100,000 residents. Consequently, Roswell experiences an average of 5.04 daily crimes, comprising 1.15 violent incidents and 3.89 property-related offenses. This evaluation offers a comprehensive understanding of the safety landscape, aiding individuals in making informed decisions when considering relocation.
In the most recent crime report, year-over-year crime rates in Roswell has decreased by 16.2%. Examining the change in crime rates from one year to the next provides valuable insights into the evolving safety landscape of Roswell, aiding residents in assessing whether it is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live. These crime rates are categorized into two primary groups: violent and property crimes. Year-over-year, violent crime has increased by 4%, while property crime has decreased by 20.8%. This comprehensive analysis offers potential residents essential information for making informed decisions about whether or not Roswell is a safe place to live.
Regions characterized by high population density frequently encompass expansive urban hubs that offer diverse economic prospects. In such areas, income inequality can be exacerbated, creating pockets of poverty alongside affluence. Economic disparities within these regions may correlate with elevated property crimes and, in certain instances, violent crimes. Conversely, areas with low population density numbers generally exhibit reduced Roswell crime rates. Roswell registers a population density of 1606.9 people per square mile, in contrast to the national average of 90.6 people per square mile.
In Roswell, 74.3% of residents have graduated from high school, whereas the national average stands at 83%. The educational makeup of a community 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.
In Roswell, the median home price stands at $110,000, diverging from the national average of $184,700. Elevated housing costs often induce financial strain among residents. When individuals grapple with the challenges of affording housing, they may find themselves compelled to resort to criminal activities as a means of addressing their financial hardships, including acts like theft or fraud. This predicament is particularly pronounced in areas where housing affordability poses a persistent issue, giving rise to heightened concerns regarding crime. In such instances, some individuals and families may find themselves constrained to reside in cramped or subpar housing conditions, exacerbating stress levels and potentially fostering domestic disputes and associated criminal incidents.
| 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 | 1,061 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Midway, NM | 638 | 412 | 1,576 | 1,988 |
| Roswell, NM | 47,751 | 882 | 2,984 | 3,866 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Covina, CA | 47,787 | 329 | 2,803 | 3,132 |
| Dublin, OH | 47,824 | 68 | 1,125 | 1,193 |
| Minot, ND | 47,834 | 298 | 1,047 | 1,345 |
| Chesterfield, MO | 47,603 | 71 | 1,515 | 1,585 |
| Monroe, LA | 47,906 | 2,737 | 6,722 | 9,459 |
| Roswell, NM | 47,751 | 882 | 2,984 | 3,866 |
Here are the best places to live in New Mexico
See the best places to live in & around Roswell
These are the 10 most affordable cities in New Mexico
10 best cities to buy a new house in New Mexico