North Carolina Crime Rate By City [2024 Updated Statistics]

North Carolina has its share of crime, just like any other state. Crime is different in every area, and there are a number of factors that contribute to a city’s crime statistics. Examining the North Carolina crime rate by city is vital for both residents and law makers alike. It can help you understand each city, but also understand the conditions that contribute to the presence of crime in the area.

Crime in North Carolina

North Carolina has an incredibly diverse mix of cities. There are some larger, heavily populated cities and some smaller cities. There are also cities that are urban and others that are more rural. The citizens of these cities come from a range of backgrounds, socioeconomic statuses, and belief systems. Because of this, the range of crime rates by city varies.

Crime statistics are usually analyzed in two different categories. These categories are property crimes and violent crimes:

• Property crime. Property crime refers to the act of illegally damaging or taking a person’s property. It encompasses crimes such as burglary, larceny, theft, and vandalism.
• Violent crime. Where property crimes focus on the violation of someone’s property, violent crimes focus on the damage done to another person. These crimes typically result in harm, injury, or death of another person. Examples of violent crimes include murder, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault.

Overall, in 2022, the most recent year that the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation released statistics, the rate of violent crime decreased by 3.9%, and the rate of property crime decreased by 0.9%.

Crime in North Carolina by City

It is expected that different cities will have different crime rates. The crime rates in these cities will change from year to year, depending on several factors. Below are the crime rate changes as given by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation from 2021 and 2022.

• Asheville saw an overall 1% decrease in crime.
• Cary saw an overall 15% increase in crime.
• Charlotte saw an overall 5% increase in crime.
• Concord saw an overall 7% decrease in crime.
• Durham saw an overall 3% decrease in crime.
• Fayetteville saw an overall 14% increase in crime.
• Gastonia saw an overall 2% increase in crime.
• Greensboro saw an overall 3% increase in crime.
• Greenville saw an overall 18% increase in crime.
• High Point saw an overall 2% decrease in crime.
• Huntersville saw an overall 2% increase in crime.
• Raleigh saw an overall 7% increase in crime.
• Wilmington saw an overall 4% decrease in crime.
• Winston-Salem saw an overall 2% decrease in crime.

While the crime rates vary from month to month and year to year, there are a few cities that are generally considered consistently safe and others that are often considered to have a higher presence of crime. When considering which cities are safest or least safe, the number of crimes is calculated against the number of residents in the city.

So, while a city may have a lower number of crimes committed than a major city, the rate could be higher if the population is significantly lower. Some of the safer cities include:

• Crossnore
• Lansing
• Falcon
• Pantego
• Milton

Some of the least safe cities in North Carolina include

• Goldsboro
• Pembroke
• Fayetteville
• Murphy
• Winston-Salem

Crime Factors

The amount of crime present in a city can be attributed to a number of factors. Taking these factors into consideration is important as it can shine a light on the full picture of the crime rate. Some of these factors include:

• The population of the city and the surrounding area.
• The amount of young people in the area.
• The area’s public transportation.
• The area’s highway system.
• The income and poverty level of the citizens of the city.
• The availability of jobs in the city.
• Educational opportunities in the city.
• The strength and availability of law enforcement.
• The family dynamics of the citizens, including the presence of divorce.
• The crime reporting behaviors of the citizens.
• The policies of the justice system in the city.
• Cultural factors of the population.

Generally speaking, if an area has fewer resources, fewer opportunities for education and employment, non-existent or poorly present law enforcement, and a high level of poverty, the area will typically see more crime. One reason for this is that people typically have a higher chance of resorting to crime in these types of environments to meet their basic needs.

FAQs

Q: What City in North Carolina Has the Lowest Crime Rate?

A: The city in North Carolina with the lowest crime rate will depend on a few factors, such as the time period you’re looking at and how you analyze the different crime rates. However, there are some cities that have consistently been regarded as the safer ones in the city. They include Falcon, Milton, and Crossnore.

Q: Where Does North Carolina State Rank in Crime Rate?

A: North Carolina’s rank in crime rate fluctuates when compared to other states. This will depend on the type of crime that is being analyzed and the time period in which a person wants to analyze. Per this 2023 report, North Carolina was ranked as the 19th safest state in the United States.

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

A: You can check crime rates in your area by contacting local law enforcement agencies. You can also check their websites, as they usually have the most recent statistics available. Many of these organizations have crime data, incident reports, and crime maps. Some of them separate the information by type of crime, city, and county.

Q: What Factors Contribute to Differences in Crime Rates in the Cities in North Carolina?

A: In North Carolina, there are many factors that contribute to the differences in crime rates in the many cities in the state. Crime rates can vary between cities due to a combination of factors, including population size, socioeconomic conditions, demographics, law enforcement strategies, community engagement, access to resources, and cultural influences.

Contact The Law Office of Michael D. Cleaves, PLLC Today

If you have been charged with a crime, an attorney at The Law Office of Michael D. Cleaves, PLLC, in Iredell County, can help. Contact us today for more information.