Violent
Property
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Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI 2024 crime data, Smithfield, NC has a Safety Score of 8/100 — higher crime than 92% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 4,053.8 per 100,000 residents, ranking #2,732 of 2,971 US cities and #61 of 76 in North Carolina.
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Smithfield, North Carolina Safe?
Smithfield, a town in Johnston County, is home to the Ava Gardner Museum, honoring the screen legend. Situated along the Neuse River, it's a growing community with a mix of residential and commercial development.
Smithfield has a safety score of 8/100 (High Crime). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 4,053.8 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Smithfield ranks #61 out of 76 cities in North Carolina and #2732 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 8th percentile for safety — with higher crime than 92% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in Smithfield is larceny-theft, at 3,019.0 per 100K — 1.8x the national average. Conversely, rape is relatively low at just 0.2x the national rate.
Year over year, Smithfield's total crime rate decreased by 6.5%, with violent crime rising 20.4%.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Smithfield Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 63 | 490.2 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 1 | 7.8 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 1 | 7.8 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 8 | 62.3 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 53 | 412.4 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 458 | 3,563.7 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 43 | 334.6 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 388 | 3,019.0 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 27 | 210.1 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Smithfield vs North Carolina Average
How does Smithfield's crime rate compare to the North Carolina state average?
| Metric | Smithfield | North Carolina Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 490.2 | 556.7 | -11.9% |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,563.7 | 2,951.3 | +20.7% |
| Murder Rate | 7.8 | 9.0 | -13.4% |
| Total Crime Rate | 4,053.8 | 3,508.0 | +15.6% |
Smithfield Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Smithfield, North Carolina.
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 12,852 | 4,053.8 | 490.2 | 3,563.7 |
| 2023 | 12,523 | 4,336.0 | 407.3 | 3,928.8 |
| 2022 | 12,042 | 5,771.5 | 622.8 | 5,148.7 |
| 2021 | 13,581 | 4,130.8 | 471.3 | 3,659.5 |
| 2020 | 13,215 | 4,177.1 | 491.9 | 3,685.2 |
| 2019 | 12,882 | 4,129.8 | 551.2 | 3,578.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Smithfield, North Carolina safe?
Smithfield has a safety score of 8/100, meaning it has less crime than about 8% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 4,053.8 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Smithfield is among the highest-crime US cities.
What is the crime rate in Smithfield, North Carolina?
According to FBI data for 2024, Smithfield has a violent crime rate of 490.2 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 3,563.7 per 100,000 residents.
How does Smithfield compare to the national average?
Smithfield's total crime rate of 4,053.8 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The data covers 12,852 residents.
What types of crime are most common in Smithfield?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Smithfield include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Smithfield safe to visit?
Like any city, Smithfield has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 8/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.