Moving from Durham, NC to Shelby, NC?
The Moving Checklist Planner turns your move-in date into a dated checklist, packing inventory and budget — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.
Is Durham, NC or Shelby, NC Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Shelby, NC is safer than Durham, NC (Safety Score 13/100 vs 6/100), with a total crime rate of 3,477 per 100,000 versus 4,420 for Durham, NC — 21% lower. Durham has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Shelby has a 52% lower rate.
Note: Durham is 13.6x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Quiz: which of these is MORE DANGEROUS than Durham, NC?
Durham — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Shelby — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Durham, NC
Shelby, NC
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Durham | Shelby | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,420.3 | 3,477.4 | +942.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 620.6 | 1,044.1 | -423.6 |
| Murder Rate | 12.3 | 22.7 | -10.4 |
| Rape Rate | 57.3 | 49.9 | +7.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 160.9 | 77.2 | +83.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 388.7 | 894.3 | -505.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,799.7 | 2,433.3 | +1,366.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 450.4 | 485.8 | -35.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,725.4 | 1,716.0 | +1,009.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 623.9 | 231.5 | +392.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Moving from Durham, NC to Shelby, NC?
The Moving Checklist Planner turns your move-in date into a dated checklist, packing inventory and budget — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Durham or Shelby safer?
Shelby, NC is safer with a total crime rate of 3,477 per 100K vs 4,420 for Durham, NC — a 21% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Durham has a violent crime rate of 620.6 per 100K while Shelby has 1,044.1. Durham has lower violent crime.
About Durham, NC
Durham, North Carolina, known as the "Bull City," grew around its tobacco industry. It's a diverse city in the Piedmont region, home to Duke University and a thriving tech scene. With a safety score of 6/100 and a population coverage of 300,208, Durham has a total crime rate of 4,420.3 per 100,000 residents.
About Shelby, NC
Shelby, NC, a foothills city in Cleveland County, is home to the Earl Scruggs Center celebrating the bluegrass legend. Its population is approximately 20,000. With a safety score of 13/100 and a population coverage of 22,028, Shelby has a total crime rate of 3,477.4 per 100,000 residents.