Violent
Property
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Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI 2024 crime data, Durham, NC has a Safety Score of 6/100 — higher crime than 94% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 4,420.3 per 100,000 residents, ranking #2,794 of 2,971 US cities and #65 of 76 in North Carolina.
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Durham, North Carolina Safe?
Durham, North Carolina, known as the "Bull City," grew around its tobacco industry. It's a diverse city in the Piedmont region, home to Duke University and a thriving tech scene.
Durham has a safety score of 6/100 (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%.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
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 | Coverage | 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 6/100, meaning it has less crime than about 6% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 4,420.3 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Durham is among the highest-crime US cities.
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 data covers 300,208 residents.
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 6/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.