Is Charlotte - Mecklenburg or Dekalb Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Dekalb is safer than Charlotte - Mecklenburg (Safety Score 21/100 vs 6/100), with a total crime rate of 2,907 per 100,000 versus 4,439 for Charlotte - Mecklenburg — 35% lower. Charlotte - Mecklenburg has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Dekalb has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Charlotte - Mecklenburg is 24.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Charlotte - Mecklenburg — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Dekalb — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Charlotte - Mecklenburg, NC
Dekalb, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Charlotte - Mecklenburg | Dekalb | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,439.0 | 2,907.4 | +1,531.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 733.7 | 393.0 | +340.7 |
| Murder Rate | 10.9 | 0.0 | +10.9 |
| Rape Rate | 24.9 | 151.7 | -126.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 130.4 | 34.8 | +95.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 567.0 | 206.4 | +360.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,705.3 | 2,514.4 | +1,190.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 427.1 | 338.2 | +88.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,518.2 | 2,124.0 | +394.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 760.0 | 52.2 | +707.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Charlotte - Mecklenburg or Dekalb safer?
Dekalb is safer with a total crime rate of 2,907 per 100K vs 4,439 for Charlotte - Mecklenburg — a 35% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Charlotte - Mecklenburg has a violent crime rate of 733.7 per 100K while Dekalb has 393.0. Dekalb has lower violent crime.
About Charlotte - Mecklenburg, NC
Charlotte-Mecklenburg, a major financial hub, sits in the Carolina Piedmont. The region is home to the NASCAR Hall of Fame, reflecting its deep ties to motorsports. Its diverse population has grown significantly, making it North Carolina's largest county. With a safety score of 6/100 and a population coverage of 1,003,130, Charlotte - Mecklenburg has a total crime rate of 4,439.0 per 100,000 residents.
About Dekalb, IL
DeKalb, Illinois, home to Northern Illinois University, is a city in DeKalb County, about 65 miles west of Chicago. It's known as the "Barb City" due to Joseph Glidden's invention of barbed wire here. The population is diverse, with a significant student presence. With a safety score of 21/100 and a population coverage of 40,208, Dekalb has a total crime rate of 2,907.4 per 100,000 residents.
More Crime Rate Comparisons
Compare Charlotte - Mecklenburg
- Is Charlotte - Mecklenburg safer than New York City, NY?
- Is Charlotte - Mecklenburg safer than Los Angeles, CA?
- Is Charlotte - Mecklenburg safer than Chicago, IL?
- Is Charlotte - Mecklenburg safer than Houston, TX?
- Is Charlotte - Mecklenburg safer than Las Vegas Metro, NV?
- Is Charlotte - Mecklenburg safer than Phoenix, AZ?