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Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI 2024 crime data, New Bern, NC has a Safety Score of 41/100 — higher crime than 59% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 1,978.6 per 100,000 residents, ranking #1,755 of 2,971 US cities and #23 of 76 in North Carolina.
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is New Bern, North Carolina Safe?
New Bern, North Carolina, a colonial capital, sits at the confluence of the Neuse and Trent Rivers. This Craven County seat is home to Tryon Palace and a population of around 30,000.
New Bern has a safety score of 41/100 (Higher Crime Than Average). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 1,978.6 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
New Bern ranks #23 out of 76 cities in North Carolina and #1755 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 41st percentile for safety — with higher crime than 59% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in New Bern is murder, at 12.3 per 100K — 2.0x the national average. Conversely, motor vehicle theft is relatively low at just 0.1x the national rate.
Year over year, New Bern's total crime rate decreased by 16.5%, with violent crime rising 22.1%.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
New Bern Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 118 | 362.5 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 4 | 12.3 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 11 | 33.8 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 14 | 43.0 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 89 | 273.4 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 526 | 1,616.1 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 89 | 273.4 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 421 | 1,293.5 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 16 | 49.2 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
New Bern vs North Carolina Average
How does New Bern's crime rate compare to the North Carolina state average?
| Metric | New Bern | North Carolina Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 362.5 | 556.7 | -34.9% |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,616.1 | 2,951.3 | -45.2% |
| Murder Rate | 12.3 | 9.0 | +36.9% |
| Total Crime Rate | 1,978.6 | 3,508.0 | -43.6% |
New Bern Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for New Bern, North Carolina.
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 32,548 | 1,978.6 | 362.5 | 1,616.1 |
| 2023 | 31,667 | 2,368.4 | 296.8 | 2,071.6 |
| 2022 | 31,614 | 2,555.8 | 506.1 | 2,049.7 |
| 2021 | 29,985 | 3,208.3 | 516.9 | 2,691.4 |
| 2020 | 30,047 | 3,750.8 | 639.0 | 3,111.8 |
| 2019 | 30,187 | 3,723.5 | 414.1 | 3,309.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is New Bern, North Carolina safe?
New Bern has a safety score of 41/100, meaning it has less crime than about 41% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 1,978.6 per 100,000 residents in 2024, New Bern is higher-crime than most US cities.
What is the crime rate in New Bern, North Carolina?
According to FBI data for 2024, New Bern has a violent crime rate of 362.5 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 1,616.1 per 100,000 residents.
How does New Bern compare to the national average?
New Bern's total crime rate of 1,978.6 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The data covers 32,548 residents.
What types of crime are most common in New Bern?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in New Bern include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is New Bern safe to visit?
Like any city, New Bern has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 41/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.