Violent
Property
Total
New Bern, NC Crime Rate & Safety
FBI-verified crime statistics for 2024 | Population: 32,548
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is New Bern, North Carolina Safe?
New Bern has a safety score of 64/100 (Near National 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%.
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 | Population | 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 64/100. With a total crime rate of 1,978.6 per 100,000 residents in 2024, New Bern is about average compared to the national average.
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 city has a population of 32,548.
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 64/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.