Is Davidson or Raleigh Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Davidson is safer than Raleigh (Safety Score 92/100 vs 15/100), with a total crime rate of 488 per 100,000 versus 3,308 for Raleigh — 85% lower. Davidson has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Davidson has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Raleigh is 34.1x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Davidson — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Raleigh — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Davidson, NC
Raleigh, NC
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Davidson | Raleigh | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 488.4 | 3,308.0 | -2,819.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 41.9 | 488.9 | -447.0 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 5.1 | -5.1 |
| Rape Rate | 0.0 | 36.1 | -36.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 7.0 | 86.7 | -79.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 34.9 | 361.0 | -326.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 446.6 | 2,819.2 | -2,372.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 90.7 | 279.1 | -188.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 307.0 | 2,058.9 | -1,751.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 48.8 | 481.3 | -432.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Davidson or Raleigh safer?
Davidson is safer with a total crime rate of 488 per 100K vs 3,308 for Raleigh — a 85% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Davidson has a violent crime rate of 41.9 per 100K while Raleigh has 488.9. Davidson has lower violent crime.
About Davidson, NC
Davidson, North Carolina, a charming college town north of Charlotte, is home to Davidson College, founded in 1837. This Mecklenburg County community, known for its tree-lined streets and walkable downtown, boasts a highly educated populace. With a safety score of 92/100 and a population coverage of 14,332, Davidson has a total crime rate of 488.4 per 100,000 residents.
About Raleigh, NC
Raleigh, North Carolina, the state capital, anchors the Research Triangle Park technology hub. Founded in 1792, it's known as the "City of Oaks" for its tree-lined streets and boasts a population exceeding 470,000. With a safety score of 15/100 and a population coverage of 488,085, Raleigh has a total crime rate of 3,308.0 per 100,000 residents.