Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI 2024 crime data, Zebulon, NC has a Safety Score of 23/100 — higher crime than 77% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 2,781.0 per 100,000 residents, ranking #2,290 of 2,971 US cities and #35 of 76 in North Carolina.
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Zebulon, North Carolina Safe?
Zebulon, a small town in eastern Wake County, is known for its annual "Mud Day" festival. It sits at the intersection of US-264 and NC-39, a historically agricultural community transitioning with suburban growth.
Zebulon has a safety score of 23/100 (High Crime). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 2,781.0 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Zebulon ranks #35 out of 76 cities in North Carolina and #2290 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 23rd percentile for safety — with higher crime than 77% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in Zebulon is murder, at 9.7 per 100K — 1.6x the national average. Conversely, rape is relatively low at just 0.0x the national rate.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Zebulon Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 34 | 328.3 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 1 | 9.7 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 0 | 0.0 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 7 | 67.6 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 26 | 251.1 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 254 | 2,452.7 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 38 | 366.9 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 192 | 1,854.0 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 24 | 231.8 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Zebulon vs North Carolina Average
How does Zebulon's crime rate compare to the North Carolina state average?
| Metric | Zebulon | North Carolina Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 328.3 | 556.7 | -41.0% |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,452.7 | 2,951.3 | -16.9% |
| Murder Rate | 9.7 | 9.0 | +7.6% |
| Total Crime Rate | 2,781.0 | 3,508.0 | -20.7% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Zebulon, North Carolina safe?
Zebulon has a safety score of 23/100, meaning it has less crime than about 23% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 2,781.0 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Zebulon is among the highest-crime US cities.
What is the crime rate in Zebulon, North Carolina?
According to FBI data for 2024, Zebulon has a violent crime rate of 328.3 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 2,452.7 per 100,000 residents.
How does Zebulon compare to the national average?
Zebulon's total crime rate of 2,781.0 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The data covers 10,356 residents.
What types of crime are most common in Zebulon?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Zebulon include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Zebulon safe to visit?
Like any city, Zebulon has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 23/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.