F
139%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
197%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
128%
Property crime NAT. AVG.
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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.
StatisticReportedincidents/100k peopleBelen/100k peopleNew Mexico/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime415n/a (estimate)5,5633,7652,324
Murder1n/a13.412.06.3
Rape4n/a53.654.640.0
Robbery3n/a40.2110.666.1
Assault74n/a992.0603.3268.2
Violent crime82n/a (estimate)1,099781370
Burglary128n/a1,715.8604.0269.8
Theft166n/a2,225.21,838.41,401.9
Vehicle theft39n/a522.8541.7282.7
Property crime333n/a (estimate)4,4642,9841,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Belen, NM

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.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Belen?

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.

Is Belen a Safe Place to Live?

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.

Has Crime in Belen Increased Since Last Year?

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.

Potential Causes for Crime in Belen

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.

Belen crime map



The Belen crime map provides a detailed overview of all crimes in Belen 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 Belen crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the Belen 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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Compare Belen, NM Crime

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      Crime Quick Facts

      • Belen crime rates are 139% higher than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Belen are 197% higher than the national average
      • In Belen you have a 1 in 18 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Belen is safer than 2% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Belen has decreased by 24%

      Belen, NM Crime Quiz

         

        Safest Places to Live in and Around Belen

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        See all Belen poll results

        Daily Crime In Belen (per 100,000 people)

        The graph above looks at the comparison of crimes committed in Belen on a daily basis (per 100,000 people) to crimes committed throughout the state of New Mexico and the USA. According to the latest crime statistics, daily crimes in Belen (which include property crimes as well as violent crimes), when compared to New Mexico, are 1.48 times more than the state average and 2.39 times more than than national average. Violent crimes committed in Belen on a daily basis are 1.41 times more than than New Mexico average and 2.97 times more than the average nationwide. Daily property crime rates in Belen are 1.50 times more than the daily state average and 2.28 times more than the daily national numbers.

        How Safe is Belen (higher is better)

        Compared to the other cities in New Mexico and all other cities across the US, is Belen safe? From the gauges displayed above, you will notice that Belen is safer than 4% of other cities in the state of New Mexico. In addition, Belen is safer than 2% of cities in the entire United States. To achieve these results, all New Mexico and United States cities were analyzed to determine how many locations had a lower crime rate than Belen. By studying this data, it was possible to determine that Belen is below average in safety when compared with other United States cities.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Belen

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Belen is 1 in 91
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Belen is 1 in 23
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Belen is 1 in 18
        Are you worried about becoming a crime victim? In Belen, your chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime is 1 in 91. Types of violent crimes may include assault, robbery, rape, or murder. You also have a 1 in 23 chance of being the victim of a property crime such as vehicle theft, personal property theft, and burglary. Your overall risk of becoming a crime victim in Belen is 1 in 18.

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

        The year over year crime rate per 100,000 people for Belen is an accurate tool for tracking the rise and fall of crime, and in determining if living in Belen has become safer or more dangerous. The year over year data displayed in the graph shows that violent crimes have decreased by 46% in Belen, while property crimes in Belen have decreased by 15%. Total crime has decreased by 24% year over year.

        Belen police department

        Item Belen New Mexico National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)223,705558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents3.04.43.3
        There are a total of 22 Belen police officers. This results in 3.0 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 31.8% less than the New Mexico average and 7.6% less than the National average.

        Sex offenders in New Mexico

        State Total offenders New Mexico /100K National /100K
        New Mexico3,129155266
        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
        El Cerro, NM3,1382731,0461,319
        Valencia, NM1,9952811,0761,357
        Peralta, NM3,5993501,0491,399
        Las Maravillas, NM1,9603251,2441,570
        Bosque Farms, NM3,8333171,3171,635
        Tome, NM1,5853491,3361,685
        Sausal, NM8013651,3971,762
        Belen, NM7,4761,0994,4645,563

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Villa Hills, KY7,47527763791
        Greenville, AL7,4784281,8202,248
        Hillcrest, NY7,4783351,3451,680
        White Oak, PA7,4722891,5281,817
        Robinwood, MD7,4823801,5611,941
        Belen, NM7,4761,0994,4645,563
        Source: The Belen, 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.