Violent
Property
Total
Moving to Charlotte, NC?
The Moving Checklist Planner dates every task from your move-in day — checklist, packing inventory, budget, address changes. Seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.
Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI crime data, Charlotte, NC has a Safety Score of 6/100 — higher crime than 94% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 4,439.0 per 100,000 residents, ranking #2,781 of 2,957 US cities and #66 of 76 in North Carolina.
Quiz: which of these is MORE DANGEROUS than Charlotte, NC?
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Charlotte, North Carolina Safe?
Charlotte-Mecklenburg, a major financial hub, sits in the Carolina Piedmont. The region is home to the NASCAR Hall of Fame, reflecting its deep ties to motorsports. Its diverse population has grown significantly, making it North Carolina's largest county.
Charlotte has a safety score of 6/100 (High Crime). Based on FBI data, the city reported a total crime rate of 4,439.0 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,785.9 per 100,000.
Charlotte ranks #66 out of 76 cities in North Carolina and #2781 out of 2957 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 6th percentile for safety — with higher crime than 94% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in Charlotte is motor vehicle theft, at 760.0 per 100K — 2.1x the national average. Conversely, rape is relatively low at just 0.6x the national rate.
Year over year, Charlotte's total crime rate decreased by 2.7%.
Larceny-theft in Charlotte runs 1.5x the national average. Basic measures help — exterior lighting, locked and reinforced entry points — but if you rent, your landlord's policy covers the building, not your belongings. Renters insurance typically covers personal property lost to theft or a break-in; you can get a renters insurance quote online in a few minutes.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Charlotte Crime Statistics Breakdown
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 7,360 | 733.7 | 478.2 |
| Murder | 109 | 10.9 | 6.3 |
| Rape | 250 | 24.9 | 43.8 |
| Robbery | 1,308 | 130.4 | 94.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 5,688 | 567.0 | 333.5 |
| Property Crime | 37,169 | 3,705.3 | 2,307.7 |
| Burglary | 4,284 | 427.1 | 292.0 |
| Larceny-Theft | 25,261 | 2,518.2 | 1,657.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 7,624 | 760.0 | 358.0 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Charlotte vs North Carolina Average
How does Charlotte's crime rate compare to the North Carolina state average?
| Metric | Charlotte | North Carolina Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 733.7 | 556.7 | +31.8% |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,705.3 | 2,951.3 | +25.5% |
| Murder Rate | 10.9 | 9.0 | +21.0% |
| Total Crime Rate | 4,439.0 | 3,508.0 | +26.5% |
Charlotte Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Charlotte, North Carolina.
Between 2019 and 2024, Charlotte's total crime rate is down 5% (4,665 → 4,439 per 100,000). Violent crime is roughly flat and property crime down 6% over the same period.
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1,003,130 | 4,439.0 | 733.7 | 3,705.3 |
| 2023 | 979,304 | 4,562.7 | 726.8 | 3,835.9 |
| 2022 | 955,466 | 4,123.6 | 746.9 | 3,376.8 |
| 2021 | 956,282 | 3,936.2 | 785.8 | 3,150.4 |
| 2020 | 958,358 | 4,092.7 | 838.2 | 3,254.5 |
| 2019 | 944,260 | 4,665.2 | 739.4 | 3,925.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Charlotte, North Carolina safe?
Charlotte has a safety score of 6/100, meaning it has less crime than about 6% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 4,439.0 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Charlotte is among the highest-crime US cities.
What is the crime rate in Charlotte, North Carolina?
According to FBI data for 2024, Charlotte has a violent crime rate of 733.7 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 3,705.3 per 100,000 residents.
How does Charlotte compare to the national average?
Charlotte's total crime rate of 4,439.0 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The data covers 1,003,130 residents.
What types of crime are most common in Charlotte?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Charlotte are larceny-theft (25,261 reported incidents) and motor vehicle theft (7,624 reported incidents). Property crime outnumbers violent crime 5.1x in the city.
How many murders were reported in Charlotte in 2024?
109 murders were reported to the FBI for Charlotte in 2024 — a homicide rate of 10.9 per 100,000 residents.
Is crime in Charlotte going up or down?
Charlotte's total crime rate is falling: 5% lower in 2024 than in 2019 (4,439 vs 4,665 per 100,000, FBI data).
Is Charlotte safe to visit?
Like any city, Charlotte has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 6/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.
How can I protect my home in Charlotte?
Start with the fundamentals: exterior lighting, locked and reinforced entry points, and knowing your neighbors. If you rent, make sure your belongings are insured — a landlord's policy covers the building, not your things. You can see a renters insurance quote online.