Violent
Property
Total
Wilmington, NC Crime Rate & Safety
FBI-verified crime statistics for 2024 | Population: 125,101
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Wilmington, North Carolina Safe?
Wilmington has a safety score of 27/100 (High Crime). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 4,000.0 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Wilmington ranks #59 out of 76 cities in North Carolina and #2717 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 9th percentile for safety — with higher crime than 91% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in Wilmington is larceny-theft, at 2,841.7 per 100K — 1.7x the national average. Conversely, robbery is relatively low at just 0.8x the national rate.
Year over year, Wilmington's total crime rate increased by 0.1%.
Wilmington Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 607 | 485.2 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 7 | 5.6 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 57 | 45.6 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 91 | 72.7 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 449 | 358.9 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 4,397 | 3,514.8 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 452 | 361.3 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 3,555 | 2,841.7 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 390 | 311.8 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Wilmington vs North Carolina Average
How does Wilmington's crime rate compare to the North Carolina state average?
| Metric | Wilmington | North Carolina Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 485.2 | 556.7 | -12.8% |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,514.8 | 2,951.3 | +19.1% |
| Murder Rate | 5.6 | 9.0 | -37.6% |
| Total Crime Rate | 4,000.0 | 3,508.0 | +14.0% |
Wilmington Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Wilmington, North Carolina.
| Year | Population | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 125,101 | 4,000.0 | 485.2 | 3,514.8 |
| 2023 | 122,675 | 3,995.9 | 487.5 | 3,508.5 |
| 2022 | 119,159 | 3,409.7 | 533.7 | 2,876.0 |
| 2021 | 126,759 | 3,316.5 | 522.3 | 2,794.3 |
| 2020 | 125,794 | 3,200.5 | 641.5 | 2,559.0 |
| 2019 | 124,750 | 3,488.6 | 608.4 | 2,880.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Wilmington, North Carolina safe?
Wilmington has a safety score of 27/100. With a total crime rate of 4,000.0 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Wilmington is higher than average in crime compared to the national average.
What is the crime rate in Wilmington, North Carolina?
According to FBI data for 2024, Wilmington has a violent crime rate of 485.2 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 3,514.8 per 100,000 residents.
How does Wilmington compare to the national average?
Wilmington's total crime rate of 4,000.0 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The city has a population of 125,101.
What types of crime are most common in Wilmington?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Wilmington include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Wilmington safe to visit?
Like any city, Wilmington has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 27/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.