Violent
Property
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Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI 2024 crime data, Raleigh, NC has a Safety Score of 15/100 — higher crime than 85% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 3,308.0 per 100,000 residents, ranking #2,521 of 2,971 US cities and #44 of 76 in North Carolina.
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Raleigh, North Carolina Safe?
Raleigh, North Carolina, the state capital, anchors the Research Triangle Park technology hub. Founded in 1792, it's known as the "City of Oaks" for its tree-lined streets and boasts a population exceeding 470,000.
Raleigh has a safety score of 15/100 (High Crime). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 3,308.0 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Raleigh ranks #44 out of 76 cities in North Carolina and #2521 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 15th percentile for safety — with higher crime than 85% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in Raleigh is motor vehicle theft, at 481.3 per 100K — 1.4x the national average.
Year over year, Raleigh's total crime rate increased by 6.1%, with violent crime declining 7.5%.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Raleigh Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 2,386 | 488.9 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 25 | 5.1 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 176 | 36.1 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 423 | 86.7 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 1,762 | 361.0 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 13,760 | 2,819.2 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 1,362 | 279.1 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 10,049 | 2,058.9 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 2,349 | 481.3 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Raleigh vs North Carolina Average
How does Raleigh's crime rate compare to the North Carolina state average?
| Metric | Raleigh | North Carolina Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 488.9 | 556.7 | -12.2% |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,819.2 | 2,951.3 | -4.5% |
| Murder Rate | 5.1 | 9.0 | -43.0% |
| Total Crime Rate | 3,308.0 | 3,508.0 | -5.7% |
Raleigh Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Raleigh, North Carolina.
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 488,085 | 3,308.0 | 488.9 | 2,819.2 |
| 2023 | 482,842 | 3,117.8 | 528.3 | 2,589.5 |
| 2022 | 470,829 | 2,872.0 | 508.3 | 2,363.7 |
| 2021 | 481,823 | 2,612.4 | 466.8 | 2,145.6 |
| 2020 | 482,264 | 2,447.0 | 396.9 | 2,050.1 |
| 2019 | 477,828 | 2,038.8 | 255.7 | 1,783.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Raleigh, North Carolina safe?
Raleigh has a safety score of 15/100, meaning it has less crime than about 15% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 3,308.0 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Raleigh is among the highest-crime US cities.
What is the crime rate in Raleigh, North Carolina?
According to FBI data for 2024, Raleigh has a violent crime rate of 488.9 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 2,819.2 per 100,000 residents.
How does Raleigh compare to the national average?
Raleigh's total crime rate of 3,308.0 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The data covers 488,085 residents.
What types of crime are most common in Raleigh?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Raleigh include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Raleigh safe to visit?
Like any city, Raleigh has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 15/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.