Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI crime data, North Carolina has a total crime rate of 3,508 per 100,000 residents — 26% above the national average — ranking #37 of 50 US states (safest first), in the higher-crime half. Its safest reporting city is Pinehurst.
Limited Data Coverage
Our dataset includes 76 reporting cities covering 4,978,294 of North Carolina's 10,835,491 residents (46%). Crime rates shown are based on reporting cities only and may not represent the full state. This is common in states transitioning to the newer NIBRS reporting system.
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Total Crime Rate
North Carolina Crime Overview
North Carolina reported a total crime rate of 3,508.0 per 100,000 residents — 26% above the national average of 2,785.9. This ranks North Carolina #37 out of 50 states (safest first).
The most elevated crime category in North Carolina is murder at 1.4x the national rate.
Compared to the previous year, North Carolina's crime rate decreased by 1.8%, with violent crime down 2.1%.
Within the state, Pinehurst is the safest city (crime rate: 337), while Lumberton has the highest rate (11,620) — a 34.5x difference that highlights how much safety can vary within a single state.
For residents, travelers, and those considering a move to North Carolina, these statistics provide a data-driven baseline. Browse the city-level table below to find specific communities, or see how North Carolina compares to its neighboring states. For the full list of safe and high-crime areas, visit safest cities in North Carolina or most dangerous cities in North Carolina.
Crime Breakdown
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 27,712 | 556.7 | 478.2 |
| Murder | 447 | 9.0 | 6.3 |
| Rape | 1,593 | 32.0 | 43.8 |
| Robbery | 4,586 | 92.1 | 94.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 21,050 | 422.8 | 333.5 |
| Property Crime | 146,926 | 2,951.3 | 2,307.7 |
| Burglary | 19,233 | 386.3 | 292.0 |
| Larceny-Theft | 106,550 | 2,140.3 | 1,657.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 21,143 | 424.7 | 358.0 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Understanding North Carolina's Crime Profile
Of North Carolina's total crime rate, 15.9% is violent crime and 84.1% is property crime. Nationally, violent crime makes up 17.2% of all crime, meaning North Carolina has a lower-than-average share of violent offenses.
North Carolina's murder rate is 9.0 per 100K, which is 1.4x the national rate of 6.3. Murder is the least common but most serious violent crime, and even small differences in rate can reflect meaningful differences in public safety.
These statistics are compiled from 76 cities across the state that report to the FBI's UCR program. Coverage varies by state — so these numbers represent the best available estimate, not a perfect census. For details, see our methodology page.
Property crime accounts for the bulk of North Carolina's total rate at 2,951 per 100K. This includes burglary, larceny-theft (the most common crime nationwide), motor vehicle theft, and arson. While property crime is less immediately dangerous than violent crime, high rates can affect quality of life, insurance costs, and economic investment in affected areas.
Cities in North Carolina by Crime Rate
Cities ranked from safest to most dangerous (10,000+ residents).
| # | City | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Safety Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pinehurst | 18,716 | 336.6 | 58.8 | 97/100 |
| 2 | Elon | 11,585 | 388.4 | 77.7 | 96/100 |
| 3 | Rolesville | 11,884 | 471.2 | 33.7 | 93/100 |
| 4 | Waxhaw | 23,893 | 481.3 | 58.6 | 93/100 |
| 5 | Davidson | 14,332 | 488.4 | 41.9 | 93/100 |
| 6 | Fuquay Varina | 47,436 | 649.3 | 69.6 | 87/100 |
| 7 | Stallings | 17,564 | 723.1 | 51.2 | 85/100 |
| 8 | Winterville | 10,926 | 805.4 | 82.4 | 82/100 |
| 9 | Mint Hill | 28,259 | 934.2 | 99.1 | 77/100 |
| 10 | Boone | 20,024 | 998.8 | 89.9 | 75/100 |
| 11 | Leland | 33,162 | 1,079.6 | 96.5 | 71/100 |
| 12 | Cornelius | 33,699 | 1,139.5 | 103.9 | 69/100 |
| 13 | Wendell | 16,281 | 1,210.0 | 135.1 | 66/100 |
| 14 | Archdale | 12,143 | 1,235.3 | 115.3 | 66/100 |
| 15 | Concord | 111,922 | 1,266.1 | 160.8 | 64/100 |
| 16 | Cary | 181,793 | 1,388.9 | 71.5 | 60/100 |
| 17 | Clayton | 31,494 | 1,451.1 | 168.3 | 59/100 |
| 18 | Wake Forest | 55,872 | 1,451.5 | 146.8 | 59/100 |
| 19 | Huntersville | 65,752 | 1,507.2 | 143.0 | 56/100 |
| 20 | Mount Holly | 18,581 | 1,754.5 | 107.6 | 48/100 |
| 21 | Havelock | 16,574 | 1,779.9 | 205.1 | 47/100 |
| 22 | Kannapolis | 60,725 | 1,953.1 | 168.0 | 42/100 |
| 23 | New Bern | 32,548 | 1,978.6 | 362.5 | 41/100 |
| 24 | Carrboro | 21,045 | 2,109.8 | 180.6 | 38/100 |
| 25 | Graham | 18,772 | 2,226.7 | 346.3 | 35/100 |
| 26 | Newton | 13,479 | 2,307.3 | 400.6 | 33/100 |
| 27 | Mooresville | 54,823 | 2,371.3 | 218.9 | 31/100 |
| 28 | Southern Pines | 17,092 | 2,398.8 | 368.6 | 31/100 |
| 29 | Lincolnton | 12,478 | 2,484.4 | 360.6 | 29/100 |
| 30 | Morrisville | 32,336 | 2,532.8 | 99.0 | 28/100 |
| 31 | Thomasville | 27,525 | 2,626.7 | 330.6 | 26/100 |
| 32 | Chapel Hill | 63,906 | 2,686.8 | 172.1 | 25/100 |
| 33 | Elizabeth City | 19,064 | 2,727.7 | 341.0 | 24/100 |
| 34 | Mount Airy | 10,590 | 2,747.9 | 311.6 | 24/100 |
| 35 | Zebulon | 10,356 | 2,781.0 | 328.3 | 23/100 |
| 36 | Matthews | 31,422 | 2,838.8 | 184.6 | 22/100 |
| 37 | High Point | 117,619 | 2,913.6 | 457.4 | 21/100 |
| 38 | Kings Mountain | 12,045 | 2,914.1 | 647.6 | 21/100 |
| 39 | Eden | 15,307 | 2,946.4 | 411.6 | 20/100 |
| 40 | Wilson | 47,825 | 2,981.7 | 579.2 | 20/100 |
| 41 | Knightdale | 20,557 | 3,118.2 | 194.6 | 18/100 |
| 42 | Belmont | 15,672 | 3,215.9 | 382.9 | 16/100 |
| 43 | Hickory | 44,682 | 3,234.0 | 409.6 | 16/100 |
| 44 | Raleigh | 488,085 | 3,308.0 | 488.9 | 15/100 |
| 45 | Waynesville | 10,813 | 3,310.8 | 499.4 | 15/100 |
| 46 | Hendersonville | 15,561 | 3,322.4 | 263.5 | 15/100 |
| 47 | Reidsville | 14,584 | 3,332.4 | 596.5 | 15/100 |
| 48 | Tarboro | 10,920 | 3,360.8 | 668.5 | 15/100 |
| 49 | Greenville | 90,871 | 3,367.4 | 453.4 | 15/100 |
| 50 | Kernersville | 28,522 | 3,376.3 | 227.9 | 14/100 |
| 51 | Lexington | 19,899 | 3,457.5 | 437.2 | 13/100 |
| 52 | Shelby | 22,028 | 3,477.4 | 1,044.1 | 13/100 |
| 53 | Lenoir | 18,201 | 3,477.8 | 258.2 | 13/100 |
| 54 | Mebane | 20,920 | 3,518.2 | 305.9 | 13/100 |
| 55 | Winston-Salem | 254,041 | 3,731.3 | 810.1 | 11/100 |
| 56 | Fayetteville | 209,945 | 3,755.8 | 661.1 | 11/100 |
| 57 | Spring Lake | 11,459 | 3,918.3 | 541.1 | 9/100 |
| 58 | Monroe | 38,903 | 3,997.1 | 663.2 | 9/100 |
| 59 | Wilmington | 125,101 | 4,000.0 | 485.2 | 9/100 |
| 60 | Burlington | 60,906 | 4,040.7 | 955.6 | 8/100 |
| 61 | Smithfield | 12,852 | 4,053.8 | 490.2 | 8/100 |
| 62 | Roanoke Rapids | 14,497 | 4,276.8 | 896.7 | 7/100 |
| 63 | Greensboro | 304,306 | 4,306.9 | 923.7 | 7/100 |
| 64 | Gastonia | 85,112 | 4,363.7 | 849.5 | 6/100 |
| 65 | Durham | 300,208 | 4,420.3 | 620.6 | 6/100 |
| 66 | Charlotte - Mecklenburg | 1,003,130 | 4,439.0 | 733.7 | 6/100 |
| 67 | Asheville | 95,219 | 4,691.3 | 796.1 | 5/100 |
| 68 | Rocky Mount | 54,223 | 4,745.2 | 765.4 | 4/100 |
| 69 | Garner | 36,720 | 4,872.0 | 364.9 | 4/100 |
| 70 | Salisbury | 36,564 | 4,947.5 | 960.0 | 4/100 |
| 71 | Kinston | 19,298 | 5,938.4 | 974.2 | 2/100 |
| 72 | Laurinburg | 14,994 | 6,936.1 | 1,894.1 | 1/100 |
| 73 | Goldsboro | 33,444 | 6,940.0 | 1,076.4 | 1/100 |
| 74 | Henderson | 14,791 | 7,592.5 | 1,791.6 | 1/100 |
| 75 | Pineville | 11,330 | 9,479.3 | 723.7 | 1/100 |
| 76 | Lumberton | 19,087 | 11,620.5 | 1,676.5 | 1/100 |
Not ranked above (older FBI reporting): Albemarle crime rate (2023 data) · Apex crime rate (2023 data) · Archdale crime rate (2024 data) · Asheboro crime rate (2023 data) · Asheville crime rate (2024 data) · Belmont crime rate (2024 data) · Boone crime rate (2024 data) · Burlington crime rate (2024 data) · Carrboro crime rate (2024 data) · Cary crime rate (2024 data) · Chapel Hill crime rate (2024 data) · Charlotte - Mecklenburg crime rate (2024 data) · Clayton crime rate (2024 data) · Concord crime rate (2024 data) · Cornelius crime rate (2024 data) · Davidson crime rate (2024 data) · Durham crime rate (2024 data) · Eden crime rate (2024 data) · Elizabeth City crime rate (2024 data) · Elon crime rate (2024 data) · Fayetteville crime rate (2024 data) · Fuquay Varina crime rate (2024 data) · Garner crime rate (2024 data) · Gastonia crime rate (2024 data) · Goldsboro crime rate (2024 data) · Graham crime rate (2024 data) · Greensboro crime rate (2024 data) · Greenville crime rate (2024 data) · Havelock crime rate (2024 data) · Henderson crime rate (2024 data) · Hendersonville crime rate (2024 data) · Hickory crime rate (2024 data) · High Point crime rate (2024 data) · Holly Springs crime rate (2023 data) · Hope Mills crime rate (2023 data) · Huntersville crime rate (2024 data) · Jacksonville crime rate (2022 data) · Kannapolis crime rate (2024 data) · Kernersville crime rate (2024 data) · Kings Mountain crime rate (2024 data) · Kinston crime rate (2024 data) · Knightdale crime rate (2024 data) · Laurinburg crime rate (2024 data) · Leland crime rate (2024 data) · Lenoir crime rate (2024 data) · Lexington crime rate (2024 data) · Lincolnton crime rate (2024 data) · Lumberton crime rate (2024 data) · Matthews crime rate (2024 data) · Mebane crime rate (2024 data) · Mint Hill crime rate (2024 data) · Monroe crime rate (2024 data) · Mooresville crime rate (2024 data) · Morehead City crime rate (2023 data) · Morganton crime rate (2022 data) · Morrisville crime rate (2024 data) · Mount Airy crime rate (2024 data) · Mount Holly crime rate (2024 data) · New Bern crime rate (2024 data) · Newton crime rate (2024 data) · Pinehurst crime rate (2024 data) · Pineville crime rate (2024 data) · Raleigh crime rate (2024 data) · Reidsville crime rate (2024 data) · Roanoke Rapids crime rate (2024 data) · Rocky Mount crime rate (2024 data) · Rolesville crime rate (2024 data) · Salisbury crime rate (2024 data) · Sanford crime rate (2022 data) · Shelby crime rate (2024 data) · Smithfield crime rate (2024 data) · Southern Pines crime rate (2024 data) · Spring Lake crime rate (2024 data) · Stallings crime rate (2024 data) · Statesville crime rate (2023 data) · Tarboro crime rate (2024 data) · Thomasville crime rate (2024 data) · Wake Forest crime rate (2024 data) · Waxhaw crime rate (2024 data) · Waynesville crime rate (2024 data) · Wendell crime rate (2024 data) · Wilmington crime rate (2024 data) · Wilson crime rate (2024 data) · Winston-Salem crime rate (2024 data) · Winterville crime rate (2024 data) · Zebulon crime rate (2024 data)
North Carolina Crime Rate Trends
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 4,978,294 | 3,508.0 | 556.7 | 2,951.3 |
| 2023 | 5,067,474 | 3,571.8 | 568.6 | 3,003.2 |
| 2022 | 5,083,788 | 3,490.0 | 588.8 | 2,901.2 |
| 2021 | 5,046,793 | 3,422.8 | 608.9 | 2,813.9 |
| 2020 | 4,937,079 | 3,687.5 | 649.2 | 3,038.3 |
| 2019 | 4,213,013 | 3,660.8 | 532.0 | 3,128.7 |
North Carolina Crime Trends: 6-Year Analysis
Over the 6-year period from 2019 to 2024, North Carolina's total crime rate decreased by 4.2%, moving from 3,661 to 3,508 per 100,000 residents. This long-term trajectory provides important context beyond any single year's snapshot.
In the most recent year-over-year comparison, North Carolina's crime rate decreased by 1.8%, with violent crime specifically declining 2.1%. Short-term changes don't always indicate a lasting trend, but consecutive years of movement in the same direction are worth noting.
Many factors can influence year-over-year changes, including shifts in policing strategies, economic conditions, population growth, and changes in how agencies report data to the FBI. For the most reliable picture, focus on the multi-year trend rather than any single year's change.
North Carolina vs Neighboring States
How does North Carolina's crime rate compare to its neighbors?
| State | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate | vs North Carolina |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Carolina | 3,508.0 | 556.7 | 2,951.3 | — |
| Georgia | 2,564.1 | 385.0 | 2,179.1 | -26.9% |
| Virginia | 2,725.5 | 338.9 | 2,386.6 | -22.3% |
| South Carolina | 3,209.6 | 501.5 | 2,708.0 | -8.5% |
| Tennessee | 4,198.5 | 916.8 | 3,281.7 | +19.7% |
Among neighboring states, Georgia has the lowest crime rate (2,564 per 100K). Tennessee has the highest (4,198 per 100K).
North Carolina in Regional Context
North Carolina is safer than 1 of its 4 neighboring states based on total crime rate. Nationally, it ranks #37 out of 50 states (ranked safest first), placing it in the higher-crime half of all US states.
Regional comparisons are valuable because neighboring states often share economic conditions, climate, and demographic patterns. If North Carolina differs significantly from its neighbors, it may point to state-specific factors such as policing policy, drug legislation, or economic programs. Visit individual state pages above for detailed comparisons.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is North Carolina's crime rate?
North Carolina's total crime rate is 3,508.0 per 100,000 residents, which is 26% above the national average of 2,786. This includes both violent crime (556.7 per 100K) and property crime (2,951.3 per 100K).
How safe is North Carolina compared to other states?
North Carolina ranks #37 out of 50 states (safest first), placing it in the higher-crime half nationally. Visit our all states page for the complete ranking.
What is the safest city in North Carolina?
The safest city in North Carolina is Pinehurst with a crime rate of 337 per 100,000 residents. View the full list at safest cities in North Carolina.
More North Carolina Crime Data
Dive deeper into North Carolina's crime statistics with our specialized ranking pages, or compare North Carolina cities against cities in other states using our comparison tool.