Is Hickory or Raleigh Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Hickory is safer than Raleigh (Safety Score 16/100 vs 15/100), with a total crime rate of 3,234 per 100,000 versus 3,308 for Raleigh — 2% lower. Hickory has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Hickory has a 56% lower rate.
Note: Raleigh is 10.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Hickory — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Raleigh — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Hickory, NC
Raleigh, NC
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Hickory | Raleigh | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,234.0 | 3,308.0 | -74.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 409.6 | 488.9 | -79.3 |
| Murder Rate | 2.2 | 5.1 | -2.9 |
| Rape Rate | 24.6 | 36.1 | -11.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 56.0 | 86.7 | -30.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 324.5 | 361.0 | -36.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,824.4 | 2,819.2 | +5.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 409.6 | 279.1 | +130.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,150.8 | 2,058.9 | +91.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 264.1 | 481.3 | -217.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hickory or Raleigh safer?
Hickory is safer with a total crime rate of 3,234 per 100K vs 3,308 for Raleigh — a 2% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Hickory has a violent crime rate of 409.6 per 100K while Raleigh has 488.9. Hickory has lower violent crime.
About Hickory, NC
Nestled in the Catawba Valley, Hickory is a city of around 43,000 residents known for its furniture manufacturing heritage. It sits at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains, offering scenic views and outdoor access. With a safety score of 16/100 and a population coverage of 44,682, Hickory has a total crime rate of 3,234.0 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.