According To FBI Statistics, These Are The 7 Most Dangerous Cities In New Mexico For 2022
Monica Spencer
Author
The Land of Enchantment, unfortunately, isn’t an enchanting experience for everyone. In a state that has a population of just over 2 million, the reported violent crime rate here is pretty high. Annually, the FBI just releases findings of reported violent and property crimes in each state, and New Mexico had a whopping 11,829 violent crimes in 2018 (the most recently available official report), and while math isn’t our strongest suit, it’s not hard to see that this makes the per capita ratio quite high. So, what are the most dangerous towns in New Mexico for 2022? Let’s find out.
The data website RoadSnacks also listed New Mexico as the most dangerous state in the country for 2022 based on the numbers! New Mexico was actually ranked as the second most dangerous state last year, coming in just behind Alaska.
This Route 66 city has certainly seen better days in its 140+ years. This last year, it had 1,992 reported violent crimes, most of which were aggravated assaults.
Belen has roots as a humble homestead and has since grown into a bustling city in New Mexico. Here, you have a 1 in 49 chance of being a victim of murder, rape, robbery, or aggravated assault, and a 1 in 19 chance of becoming the victim of a property crime.
This little city comes in at third on our list, with a reported 963 violent crimes. The city had 720.9 reported aggravated assaults, 114.2 robberies (a crime different from burglary), and seven murders.
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Coming in at #4 is Los Lunas, which may not be surprising. Overall, the city had 1,286 reported violent crimes, including 1,161 aggravated assaults, 100.4 robberies, and, thankfully, no murders.
You can't blame little green men for Roswell's violent crimes. In 2020, Roswell's law enforcement reported 849 violent crimes. This included 626 aggravated assaults, 75 robberies, and 19 murders.
One of New Mexico's most well-known towns, Clovis has its fair share of violent crime and property crimes alike. It ranks #1 in the state for rape, and it's #10 in murder for the whole state, too.
Artesia is a cute little town, but it ranks ninth highest in violent crime and here, you have roughly a 1 in 32 chance of being a victim of a property crime, and a 1 in 190 chance of being involved in a violent crime. Oof.
Again, take this information with a grain of salt. Violent crimes like rape and murder are rarely random. These are typically perpetrated by someone known to the victim, such as a spouse, family member, or acquaintance. What are your thoughts about this list? Did any of the cities listed here surprise you?
If you just happen to be a bit of a true crime junkie like yours truly, then you may find some unsolved New Mexican mysteries absolutely fascinating. Read more in 4 Disturbing Unsolved Mysteries In New Mexico That Will Leave You Baffled.
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More to Explore
Most Dangerous Towns in New Mexico
What are some of the dangers of living in New Mexico?
New Mexico is a remarkably beautiful state with a vivid history, vibrant culture, and a vibe that’s truly all its own. Unfortunately, though, just like anywhere else, New Mexico isn’t without its more dangerous places and spots. Some of the dangers of living in New Mexico include things the weather does; the state is prone to tornadoes and large hail in the eastern half and snowstorms in the mountains. Lightning can and does kill people every year, and New Mexico gets plenty of that during monsoon season in the summer and severe weather season in the spring. In summer, it can get sweltering hot, and heat kills more people than tornadoes in New Mexico do. Other dangers of life in New Mexico include flooding, wildfires, and the occasional earthquake.
What are the most dangerous towns in New Mexico right now?
At the time of this writing, there are a handful of new “most dangerous” towns in New Mexico, and many of the old/usual ones still stand. Among the most dangerous cities in New Mexico are the more popular ones, unfortunately, with Taos coming in on the list year after year thanks to its high property crime/theft rates. Other towns in New Mexico considered to be the most dangerous at the time of this writing include Gallup, Belen (which makes the list almost every year), Deming, Los Lunas, and Roswell. Don’t let this deter you, though – these towns are delightful (and safer) by day.
Where are some dangerous places to avoid in New Mexico?
We don’t think anywhere should ever be avoided outright; even cities and towns typically deemed “unsafe” by statistics can be wonderful by the light of day. Heck, Roswell repeatedly makes the lists of most dangerous towns in New Mexico – and it’s one of the biggest tourist destinations in the state! Taos is another beloved destination in New Mexico (and one of the most scenic places in New Mexico, too), and it also typically ends up on the “most dangerous” lists. Play it safe and don’t avoid anywhere – just use common sense!