Violent
Property
Total
Waynesville, NC Crime Rate & Safety
FBI-verified crime statistics for 2024 | Population: 10,813
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Waynesville, North Carolina Safe?
Waynesville has a safety score of 39/100 (Higher Crime Than Average). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 3,310.8 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Waynesville ranks #45 out of 76 cities in North Carolina and #2523 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 Waynesville is murder, at 18.5 per 100K — 3.0x the national average. Conversely, robbery is relatively low at just 0.2x the national rate.
Year over year, Waynesville's total crime rate decreased by 14.2%, with violent crime declining 8.5%.
Waynesville Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 54 | 499.4 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 2 | 18.5 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 11 | 101.7 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 2 | 18.5 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 39 | 360.7 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 304 | 2,811.4 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 28 | 259.0 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 266 | 2,460.0 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 10 | 92.5 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Waynesville vs North Carolina Average
How does Waynesville's crime rate compare to the North Carolina state average?
| Metric | Waynesville | North Carolina Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 499.4 | 556.7 | -10.3% |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,811.4 | 2,951.3 | -4.7% |
| Murder Rate | 18.5 | 9.0 | +106.0% |
| Total Crime Rate | 3,310.8 | 3,508.0 | -5.6% |
Waynesville Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Waynesville, North Carolina.
| Year | Population | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 10,813 | 3,310.8 | 499.4 | 2,811.4 |
| 2023 | 10,812 | 3,856.8 | 545.7 | 3,311.1 |
| 2022 | 10,225 | 3,882.6 | 430.3 | 3,452.3 |
| 2021 | 10,632 | 6,565.1 | 479.7 | 6,085.4 |
| 2020 | 10,174 | 7,951.6 | 530.8 | 7,420.9 |
| 2019 | 10,146 | 7,362.5 | 611.1 | 6,751.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Waynesville, North Carolina safe?
Waynesville has a safety score of 39/100. With a total crime rate of 3,310.8 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Waynesville is higher than average in crime compared to the national average.
What is the crime rate in Waynesville, North Carolina?
According to FBI data for 2024, Waynesville has a violent crime rate of 499.4 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 2,811.4 per 100,000 residents.
How does Waynesville compare to the national average?
Waynesville's total crime rate of 3,310.8 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The city has a population of 10,813.
What types of crime are most common in Waynesville?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Waynesville include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Waynesville safe to visit?
Like any city, Waynesville has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 39/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.