Violent
Property
Total
Gastonia, NC Crime Rate & Safety
FBI-verified crime statistics for 2024 | Population: 85,112
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Gastonia, North Carolina Safe?
Gastonia has a safety score of 20/100 (High Crime). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 4,363.7 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Gastonia ranks #64 out of 76 cities in North Carolina and #2784 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 Gastonia is aggravated assault, at 683.8 per 100K — 2.1x the national average. Conversely, murder is relatively low at just 0.8x the national rate.
Year over year, Gastonia's total crime rate decreased by 5.4%, with violent crime rising 6.8%.
Gastonia Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 723 | 849.5 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 4 | 4.7 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 32 | 37.6 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 105 | 123.4 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 582 | 683.8 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 2,991 | 3,514.2 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 436 | 512.3 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 2,202 | 2,587.2 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 353 | 414.8 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Gastonia vs North Carolina Average
How does Gastonia's crime rate compare to the North Carolina state average?
| Metric | Gastonia | North Carolina Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 849.5 | 556.7 | +52.6% |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,514.2 | 2,951.3 | +19.1% |
| Murder Rate | 4.7 | 9.0 | -47.7% |
| Total Crime Rate | 4,363.7 | 3,508.0 | +24.4% |
Gastonia Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Gastonia, North Carolina.
| Year | Population | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 85,112 | 4,363.7 | 849.5 | 3,514.2 |
| 2023 | 83,739 | 4,612.0 | 795.3 | 3,816.6 |
| 2022 | 81,937 | 4,759.8 | 789.6 | 3,970.1 |
| 2021 | 78,260 | 4,902.9 | 914.9 | 3,988.0 |
| 2020 | 77,918 | 5,022.0 | 929.2 | 4,092.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Gastonia, North Carolina safe?
Gastonia has a safety score of 20/100. With a total crime rate of 4,363.7 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Gastonia is higher than average in crime compared to the national average.
What is the crime rate in Gastonia, North Carolina?
According to FBI data for 2024, Gastonia has a violent crime rate of 849.5 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 3,514.2 per 100,000 residents.
How does Gastonia compare to the national average?
Gastonia's total crime rate of 4,363.7 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The city has a population of 85,112.
What types of crime are most common in Gastonia?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Gastonia include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Gastonia safe to visit?
Like any city, Gastonia has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 20/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.