Wilkes County Crime & Safety

Wilkes County, Georgia

Safety Score

30/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

High Crime

Total Crime Rate

1664.9

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

551.5

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

1113.4

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

30/100

Higher = safer

State avg 49/100

State Safety Rank

#117

of 159 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Wilkes County, Georgia

Wilkes County safer than average despite challenges

The county's total crime rate of 1,664.9 per 100K remains lower than the national average of 2,385.5. It carries a safety score of 97.4, indicating a generally secure environment. However, specific crime types require more attention than in neighboring areas.

Mixed results compared to Georgia averages

Wilkes County’s safety score of 97.4 is slightly below the state average of 97.8. Its total crime rate of 1,664.9 is also higher than the Georgia average of 1,412.9. Two agencies manage the reporting for this area, tracking both local and throughway incidents.

Higher violent crime than regional peers

Wilkes reports a violent crime rate of 551.5 per 100K, which is significantly higher than Wilcox County’s 113.1. This elevated rate makes it an outlier among its rural neighbors. Property crime is also more prevalent here than in nearby Wilkinson County.

High violent crime rate stands out

Violent crime here is 551.5 per 100K, which is higher than the national average of 369.8. Property crime is also a factor at 1,113.4 incidents per 100K. Residents should be aware that violent incidents are more common here than the state average.

Focused security for a safer home

Given the higher violent and property crime rates, home alarm systems and outdoor lighting are highly recommended. Staying aware of surroundings and reporting suspicious activity to the two local agencies helps. Personal safety awareness is more critical here than in neighboring counties.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Wilkes County, GA?

Wilkes County has a total crime rate of 1664.9 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (551.5 per 100K) and property crimes (1113.4 per 100K).

Is Wilkes County, GA safe?

Wilkes County has a safety score of 30/100, rated "High Crime". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #117 out of 159 counties in Georgia for safety (1 = safest).

How does Wilkes County crime compare to the Georgia average?

What types of crime are most common in Wilkes County?

How is crime data measured and reported for Wilkes County?

Crime data for Wilkes County comes from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program. Local law enforcement agencies submit data on violent crimes (murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) and property crimes (burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft) to the FBI. Rates are calculated per 100,000 residents to allow fair comparison between counties of different sizes. The safety score (0-100) is derived from these rates, with higher scores indicating safer counties.

What is being done about crime in Wilkes County?

Wilkes County has a safety score of 30/100, which is below the Georgia average of 49/100. Many counties with above-average crime rates invest in community policing, crime prevention programs, neighborhood watch initiatives, and social services aimed at reducing crime over time.