Violent
Property
Total
Durham, NC Crime Rate & Safety
FBI-verified crime statistics for 2024 | Population: 300,208
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Durham, North Carolina Safe?
Durham has a safety score of 19/100 (High Crime). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 4,420.3 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Durham ranks #65 out of 76 cities in North Carolina and #2794 out of 2971 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 Durham is murder, at 12.3 per 100K — 2.0x the national average.
Year over year, Durham's total crime rate increased by 0.5%, with violent crime declining 2.6%.
Durham Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 1,863 | 620.6 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 37 | 12.3 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 172 | 57.3 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 483 | 160.9 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 1,167 | 388.7 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 11,407 | 3,799.7 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 1,352 | 450.4 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 8,182 | 2,725.4 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 1,873 | 623.9 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Durham vs North Carolina Average
How does Durham's crime rate compare to the North Carolina state average?
| Metric | Durham | North Carolina Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 620.6 | 556.7 | +11.5% |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,799.7 | 2,951.3 | +28.7% |
| Murder Rate | 12.3 | 9.0 | +37.2% |
| Total Crime Rate | 4,420.3 | 3,508.0 | +26.0% |
Durham Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Durham, North Carolina.
| Year | Population | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 300,208 | 4,420.3 | 620.6 | 3,799.7 |
| 2023 | 295,788 | 4,398.1 | 636.9 | 3,761.1 |
| 2022 | 286,377 | 4,013.6 | 691.1 | 3,322.5 |
| 2021 | 291,962 | 4,067.0 | 746.7 | 3,320.3 |
| 2020 | 284,925 | 4,608.9 | 861.3 | 3,747.7 |
| 2019 | 280,282 | 4,537.9 | 730.3 | 3,807.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Durham, North Carolina safe?
Durham has a safety score of 19/100. With a total crime rate of 4,420.3 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Durham is higher than average in crime compared to the national average.
What is the crime rate in Durham, North Carolina?
According to FBI data for 2024, Durham has a violent crime rate of 620.6 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 3,799.7 per 100,000 residents.
How does Durham compare to the national average?
Durham's total crime rate of 4,420.3 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The city has a population of 300,208.
What types of crime are most common in Durham?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Durham include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Durham safe to visit?
Like any city, Durham has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 19/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.