Violent
Property
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Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI 2024 crime data, Cornelius, NC has a Safety Score of 69/100 — safer than 69% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 1,139.5 per 100,000 residents, ranking #933 of 2,971 US cities and #12 of 76 in North Carolina.
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Cornelius, North Carolina Safe?
Cornelius, NC, a lakeside town north of Charlotte, was once a major cotton producer. Its population has grown significantly, reflecting a suburban demographic.
Cornelius has a safety score of 69/100 (Near National Average). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 1,139.5 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Cornelius ranks #12 out of 76 cities in North Carolina and #933 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 69th percentile for safety — safer than 69% of US cities.
All major crime categories in Cornelius are below the national average, with robbery particularly low at 0.1x the national rate.
Year over year, Cornelius's total crime rate increased by 12.6%, with violent crime declining 27.8%.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Cornelius Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 35 | 103.9 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 1 | 3.0 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 7 | 20.8 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 4 | 11.9 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 23 | 68.3 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 349 | 1,035.6 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 55 | 163.2 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 269 | 798.2 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 25 | 74.2 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Cornelius vs North Carolina Average
How does Cornelius's crime rate compare to the North Carolina state average?
| Metric | Cornelius | North Carolina Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 103.9 | 556.7 | -81.3% |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,035.6 | 2,951.3 | -64.9% |
| Murder Rate | 3.0 | 9.0 | -66.9% |
| Total Crime Rate | 1,139.5 | 3,508.0 | -67.5% |
Cornelius Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Cornelius, North Carolina.
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 33,699 | 1,139.5 | 103.9 | 1,035.6 |
| 2023 | 32,694 | 1,012.4 | 143.8 | 868.7 |
| 2022 | 31,781 | 1,139.1 | 132.2 | 1,006.9 |
| 2021 | 31,453 | 1,259.0 | 120.8 | 1,138.2 |
| 2020 | 30,904 | 1,274.9 | 126.2 | 1,148.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cornelius, North Carolina safe?
Cornelius has a safety score of 69/100, meaning it has less crime than about 69% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 1,139.5 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Cornelius is about average for a US city.
What is the crime rate in Cornelius, North Carolina?
According to FBI data for 2024, Cornelius has a violent crime rate of 103.9 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 1,035.6 per 100,000 residents.
How does Cornelius compare to the national average?
Cornelius's total crime rate of 1,139.5 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The data covers 33,699 residents.
What types of crime are most common in Cornelius?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Cornelius include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Cornelius safe to visit?
Like any city, Cornelius has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 69/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.