Violent
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Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI 2024 crime data, Hickory, NC has a Safety Score of 16/100 — higher crime than 84% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 3,234.0 per 100,000 residents, ranking #2,499 of 2,971 US cities and #43 of 76 in North Carolina.
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Hickory, North Carolina Safe?
Nestled in the Catawba Valley, Hickory is a city of around 43,000 residents known for its furniture manufacturing heritage. It sits at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains, offering scenic views and outdoor access.
Hickory has a safety score of 16/100 (High Crime). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 3,234.0 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Hickory ranks #43 out of 76 cities in North Carolina and #2499 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 16th percentile for safety — with higher crime than 84% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in Hickory is burglary, at 409.6 per 100K — 1.4x the national average. Conversely, murder is relatively low at just 0.4x the national rate.
Year over year, Hickory's total crime rate decreased by 7.6%, with violent crime declining 17.4%.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Hickory Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 183 | 409.6 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 1 | 2.2 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 11 | 24.6 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 25 | 56.0 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 145 | 324.5 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 1,262 | 2,824.4 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 183 | 409.6 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 961 | 2,150.8 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 118 | 264.1 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Hickory vs North Carolina Average
How does Hickory's crime rate compare to the North Carolina state average?
| Metric | Hickory | North Carolina Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 409.6 | 556.7 | -26.4% |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,824.4 | 2,951.3 | -4.3% |
| Murder Rate | 2.2 | 9.0 | -75.1% |
| Total Crime Rate | 3,234.0 | 3,508.0 | -7.8% |
Hickory Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Hickory, North Carolina.
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 44,682 | 3,234.0 | 409.6 | 2,824.4 |
| 2023 | 44,351 | 3,501.6 | 496.0 | 3,005.6 |
| 2022 | 43,756 | 4,031.5 | 527.9 | 3,503.5 |
| 2021 | 41,604 | 5,090.9 | 610.5 | 4,480.3 |
| 2020 | 41,300 | 4,716.7 | 542.4 | 4,174.3 |
| 2019 | 41,040 | 4,771.0 | 402.1 | 4,368.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hickory, North Carolina safe?
Hickory has a safety score of 16/100, meaning it has less crime than about 16% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 3,234.0 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Hickory is among the highest-crime US cities.
What is the crime rate in Hickory, North Carolina?
According to FBI data for 2024, Hickory has a violent crime rate of 409.6 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 2,824.4 per 100,000 residents.
How does Hickory compare to the national average?
Hickory's total crime rate of 3,234.0 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The data covers 44,682 residents.
What types of crime are most common in Hickory?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Hickory include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Hickory safe to visit?
Like any city, Hickory has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 16/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.