Violent
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Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI 2024 crime data, Waynesville, NC has a Safety Score of 15/100 — higher crime than 85% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 3,310.8 per 100,000 residents, ranking #2,523 of 2,971 US cities and #45 of 76 in North Carolina.
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Waynesville, North Carolina Safe?
Nestled in the Great Smoky Mountains, Waynesville is Haywood County's largest town. Historically a resort destination, it maintains a small-town feel with a median age of around 48.
Waynesville has a safety score of 15/100 (High Crime). 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%.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
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 | Coverage | 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 15/100, meaning it has less crime than about 15% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 3,310.8 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Waynesville is among the highest-crime US cities.
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 data covers 10,813 residents.
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 15/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.