City Crime Score
Below avg crime
Population
12,249
Median Income
$26,874
Home Value
$112,740
Median Age
30.0
Crime Statistics
Demographics
6.0% have a bachelor's degree or higher
Housing
Chaparral, NM Crime Map
Explore crime rates, safest neighborhoods, and detailed crime statistics
Chaparral, NM Crime Overview: What the Data Actually Shows
Chaparral earns an overall crime grade of C+ for 2026 — a middling score that reflects real economic pressures on this Doña Ana County community. With a poverty rate of 33.4%, an unemployment rate of 8.7%, and a median household income of just $31,186, the socioeconomic context matters when interpreting local crime patterns. Understanding what's actually happening — and where — helps residents make smarter decisions.
Breaking Down the Last 90 Days of Crime in Chaparral
Over the most recent 90-day reporting window, Chaparral recorded 133 total incidents. Here's how those incidents break down by type:
- Other offenses: 63 incidents (47%) — the largest single category, covering miscellaneous violations and disturbances reported through early March 2026.
- Assault: 35 incidents (26%) — the most significant named violent crime category, representing more than one in four reported incidents. This is a notably elevated share and warrants attention from residents.
- Theft: 17 incidents (13%) — property crime remains a consistent concern, with incidents reported as recently as March 3, 2026.
- Arrests: 8 incidents (6%) — reflecting active law enforcement engagement in the community.
- Vandalism: 5 incidents (4%) — last reported March 1, 2026.
- Burglary: 3 incidents (2%) — lower in raw count but still impactful for affected households.
- Shooting: 2 incidents (2%) — the most serious incident type in the dataset, with the latest recorded February 27, 2026.
The assault rate stands out: at 26% of all incidents, it is disproportionately high relative to what you'd expect in a rural community of roughly 13,744 people spread across a low-density 89 residents per square mile. Combined with the two shooting incidents logged in late February, the violent crime picture in Chaparral deserves more attention than the C+ overall grade might initially suggest.
Property Crime vs. Violent Crime in Chaparral
Separating the 133 recent incidents into broad categories reveals an important split. Violent crimes (assault + shooting) account for approximately 28% of all recorded incidents — a meaningful share. Property crimes (theft + burglary + vandalism) account for roughly 19%. The remaining incidents fall under arrests and the large "other" category, which often includes drug-related calls, disturbances, and traffic offenses.
For context, theft at 13% and burglary at just 2% suggest that while property crime exists, it is not the dominant concern here. The elevated assault figures point toward interpersonal conflict as the primary safety issue residents should be aware of when navigating the community.
Why Chaparral's Crime Grade Is C+
A C+ grade means Chaparral performs below average compared to national benchmarks but is not in the most dangerous tier of communities. Several structural factors contribute to this rating:
- High poverty rate (33.4%): One in three residents lives below the poverty line, a well-documented driver of elevated crime rates nationally.
- Above-average unemployment (8.7%): Limited economic opportunity concentrates stress and risk in residential areas.
- Low median home values ($80,795): Reflects limited investment in property security infrastructure across many households.
- Low population density (89/sq mi): Sparse density can slow emergency response times and reduce natural surveillance in some areas.
How to Use the Chaparral Crime Map Effectively
The interactive crime map on this page plots recent incidents using real reported data. Here's how to get the most out of it:
- Filter by crime type: Toggle assault, theft, and vandalism layers separately to see where each concentrates geographically within Chaparral's unincorporated areas.
- Use the time slider: The last 30 days versus the full 90-day window can reveal whether incidents are trending up or stabilizing.
- Check incident density near main corridors: In low-density communities like Chaparral, crime often clusters near commercial strips and high-traffic roads rather than deep residential areas.
- Cross-reference with the Doña Ana County Sheriff's Office: Their public data portal supplements this map with official incident reports.
Practical Safety Tips Grounded in Chaparral's Actual Crime Profile
Given that assault (26%) and theft (13%) dominate Chaparral's recent incident log, here are targeted precautions:
- For assault prevention: Be aware of your surroundings during evening hours, avoid escalating verbal confrontations, and trust your instincts if a situation feels tense. Community conflict resolution resources through Doña Ana County can help de-escalate neighborhood disputes before they become reportable incidents.
- For theft prevention: Secure vehicles, do not leave valuables visible in parked cars, and use exterior lighting. With a median rent of just $724 and modest home values, many households may not have invested in security systems — even basic measures make a significant difference.
- For burglary prevention: Though burglary represents only 2% of recent incidents (3 cases), reinforce door frames and use deadbolts. Neighbors watching out for each other remains one of the most effective deterrents in low-density communities.
- Stay connected to local alerts: Sign up for Doña Ana County emergency notifications to receive real-time updates on incidents in your area.
Chaparral in Context: A Border Community Navigating Real Challenges
Chaparral sits along the New Mexico–Texas border, and its crime landscape is shaped by its unique geography as much as its economics. The community's C+ safety grade reflects genuine challenges — but it also reflects a community of nearly 14,000 people where the vast majority of days pass without serious incident. With 133 incidents over 90 days across a population of 13,744, that works out to roughly 1.5 incidents per 1,000 residents per month — a rate that, while not negligible, leaves significant room for informed residents to navigate safely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions About Crime in Chaparral, NM
Is Chaparral, NM safe in 2026?
Chaparral receives an overall crime grade of C+ for 2026, which places it below the national average but not in the highest-risk tier. The community's 90-day incident data shows 133 total reported crimes, with assault making up a significant 26% of all incidents — the most notable concern for residents. Property crimes like theft (13%) and burglary (2%) exist but are not the dominant issue. Chaparral's rural character and low population density of 89 people per square mile mean that most residential areas see relatively infrequent incidents, but the C+ grade signals that caution and awareness are warranted, particularly around interpersonal safety.
What types of crime are most common in Chaparral?
Based on the most recent 90-day reporting period, the most common incident types in Chaparral are "other" offenses at 47% (miscellaneous disturbances and violations), followed by assault at 26% and theft at 13%. Vandalism accounts for 4%, burglary for 2%, and shooting incidents for 2% of the total 133 reported cases. The elevated assault share — more than one in four incidents — is the most significant pattern residents should be aware of. Shooting incidents, while low in count (2 cases, latest February 27, 2026), represent the most serious event type in the dataset.
What is the crime rate in Chaparral, NM?
Chaparral recorded 133 incidents over a 90-day period against a population of approximately 13,744 — roughly 1.5 incidents per 1,000 residents per month. The community earns a C+ overall crime grade, reflecting moderate risk relative to national benchmarks. Economic factors play a significant role: with a poverty rate of 33.4% and an unemployment rate of 8.7%, Chaparral faces structural pressures that research consistently links to elevated crime rates. The median household income of $31,186 is well below state and national medians, compounding these challenges.
What are the safest areas in Chaparral?
Chaparral is an unincorporated community without formally named neighborhoods in the traditional sense, but the crime map data shows that incident density varies across the community's roughly 89-person-per-square-mile footprint. Lower-traffic residential pockets away from main commercial corridors tend to see fewer reported incidents. Areas with active neighborhood engagement and proximity to community gathering points generally benefit from higher natural surveillance. Using the interactive crime map on this page, you can identify specific blocks with fewer recent assault or theft incidents to inform decisions about where to live or spend time.
How does Chaparral's poverty rate affect crime?
Chaparral's 33.4% poverty rate — meaning roughly one in three residents lives below the federal poverty line — is one of the primary drivers behind its C+ crime grade. Research consistently shows that communities with high poverty and unemployment (Chaparral's rate is 8.7%) experience higher rates of both property and violent crime. This context is important: it means that many of Chaparral's crime challenges are structural rather than random, and that economic investment and community support programs are among the most effective long-term safety interventions. Residents can still take meaningful individual precautions, but the broader picture requires community-level solutions.
Is Chaparral a good place to live despite its crime grade?
Chaparral offers genuine affordability — a median home value of $80,795 and median rent of $724 make it one of the more accessible housing markets in the region — along with a close-knit community atmosphere and scenic high-desert surroundings. The C+ crime grade means residents should be informed and take reasonable precautions, particularly around personal safety given the elevated assault rate in recent incident data. For families and individuals who value low housing costs, rural space, and community connection, Chaparral can be a viable choice — especially with awareness of the specific crime patterns the map reveals. Staying connected to Doña Ana County Sheriff updates and participating in local safety initiatives meaningfully improves day-to-day security.
How current is the Chaparral crime map data?
The crime map reflects incidents reported within the last 90 days, with the most recent entries dated March 3, 2026 for assault and theft categories. Vandalism and burglary data runs through March 1, 2026, and shooting incidents are tracked through February 27, 2026. The map is updated regularly as new incident data becomes available from law enforcement sources. For the most granular and up-to-date information, cross-referencing with the Doña Ana County Sheriff's Office public portal is recommended.
Surrounding Cities
Chaparral Zip Codes
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