North Carolina Crime Rate by City 2024 – Latest Statistics

From the rolling Appalachian Mountains on the western side of the state to the miles of Atlantic coastal beaches on the eastern side, the state of North Carolina has a lot to offer and is admired by many tourists and the individuals who call it home. Just like any other state across the country, however, North Carolina is not free from crime. Some may wonder how safe it is to live in or visit North Carolina. Learn about the North Carolina crime rate by city to decide for yourself.

North Carolina Crime Statistics

When looking at crime statistics, it is important to examine data pertaining to both violent crimes and property crimes. The Federal Bureau of Investigation, or FBI, categorizes murder, rape, robbery, and assault as violent crimes. The FBI includes burglary, theft, and motor vehicle theft in their categorization of property crimes.

According to one crime report, the national median for property crime incidents is 20 per 1,000 residents. The property crime rate in North Carolina is slightly higher than the national rate, with a median of 20.64 property crime incidents per 1,000 residents. Your chance of becoming a victim of a property crime in North Carolina is one in 48. The most common types of property crimes in North Carolina are as follows:

• Theft, with a 14.94 rate per 1,000 residents
• Burglary, with a 3.71 rate per 1,000 residents
• Motor vehicle theft, with a 1.99 rate per 1,000 residents

With a theft rate of 14.02 per 1,000 residents across the United States, theft is a more common occurrence for residents in North Carolina than it is nationally. Based on these statistics, it is apparent that theft is a problem for the residents of North Carolina more so than for others across the country.

The rate for violent crimes in North Carolina is lower than the rate for property crimes. The same crime report referenced above indicates that your chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime in North Carolina is one in 247.

While you are less likely to become a victim of a violent crime than a property crime in North Carolina, the state’s violent crime rate is 4.05 per 1,000 residents. This is higher than the national rate, with a median of 4 violent crime incidents per 1,000 residents. The leading violent crimes in North Carolina include:

• Assault, with a 3.12 rate per 1,000 residents
• Rape, with a 0.31 rate per 1,000 residents
• Robbery, with a 0.55 rate per 1,000 residents
• Murder, with a 0.08 rate per 1,000 residents

Given that the assault rate in the United States is 2.68 per every 1,000 residents, per the same crime report, assault is more prevalent in North Carolina than it is nationally.

Safest Cities in North Carolina

The crime rates vary from one North Carolina city or town to the next. The top five safest cities in North Carolina are:

1. Pantego
2. Crossnore
3. Milton
4. Whittier
5. Jackson Springs

While those cities are reported to have lower crime rates, it does not mean that crime is not an occurrence in those places. It is important to be aware of potential threats to avoid becoming a victim of crime, no matter if you are in North Carolina, elsewhere in the United States, or anywhere else in the world.

Most Violent Cities in North Carolina

According to the latest available data from the FBI, the top five cities with the highest number of violent crime incidents are as follows:

1. Charlotte-Mecklenburg
2. Greensboro
3. Durham
4. Fayetteville
5. Raleigh

Another crime report indicates that Charlotte-Mecklenburg is only safer than 5% of cities in the United States, making it one of the most dangerous cities not just in North Carolina but in the country.

FAQs

Q: What North Carolina Town Has the Lowest Crime Rate?

A: The North Carolina town that has the lowest crime rate is Pantego, which is about an hour east of Greenville, North Carolina. The U.S. Census Bureau reports that the population of Pantego is just over 6,000 people. The towns of Crossnore, Milton, Whittier, and Jackson Springs follow behind Pantego as other North Carolina towns with low crime rates, compared to other areas across the state.

Q: What Is the Crime Rate for North Carolina?

A: The crime rate for North Carolina is 24.9 per 1,000 residents, including violent and property crimes. On average, there are 23 crimes per square mile in the state of North Carolina. Both the violent crime rate and property crime rate in North Carolina are higher than their corresponding national median crime rates. Cities with high violent crime rates in North Carolina include Charlotte-Mecklenburg, Greensboro, Durham, Fayetteville, and Raleigh.

Q: How Do I Check the Crime Rate in My Area?

A: You can check the crime rate in your area by viewing crime reports from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, or FBI. The FBI keeps records of reported crimes across the country, and it makes this crime report data publicly available. You can view the crime rate in your area at no cost on the FBI crime website.

Q: What Is the Most Common Crime in North Carolina?

A: The most common crime in North Carolina is theft — not including motor vehicle theft. One crime report indicates that there were 159,845 known incidents of theft in a given period within the state, making the theft rate 14.94 per 1,000 residents. The theft rate in the United States is 14.02 per 1,000 residents, which means that the theft rate in North Carolina is higher than the national rate.

If you live in North Carolina, it is important to protect your belongings to avoid becoming a victim of theft.

Trust The Law Office of William T. Corbett, Jr., P.L.L.C.

The legal team at The Law Office of William T. Corbett, Jr., P.L.L.C., serves a wide range of clients in North Carolina. Our practice areas include criminal defense and personal injury. We are committed to defending our clients’ rights and can work to advance your legal interests. Contact us today to request a consultation with our firm.