North Carolina Crime & Safety
Crime rates and safety scores for all 100 counties.
Avg Violent Crime Rate
331.0
per 100K
Avg Property Crime Rate
1719.0
per 100K
Avg Safety Score
97/100
State Overview
Crime & Safety in North Carolina
National Context
North Carolina Stays Below National Crime Averages
North Carolina reports an average total crime rate of 2,050.0 per 100,000 residents, positioning the state significantly below the national average of 2,385.5. This data places the Tar Heel State on the safer end of the national spectrum across all 100 monitored counties.
Violent vs. Property Crime
Property Crime Drives Most Reported Offenses
Property crimes dominate the landscape at 1,719.3 per 100,000 people, which is notably lower than the national benchmark of 2,015.7. Violent crime accounts for a smaller portion of the total at 330.7 incidents per 100,000 residents, also trailing the national average of 369.8.
Safest Counties
Hyde, Stokes, and Mitchell Lead in Safety
Hyde County reports a total crime rate of 0.0 per 100,000, while Stokes County follows closely at 4.5. Mitchell County rounds out the top three safest areas at just 40.0 per 100,000, showcasing the exceptionally low incident levels found in these rural communities.
Crime Hotspots
Urban and Regional Centers See Higher Rates
Durham County reports the state's highest total crime rate at 8,661.0 per 100,000 residents, largely driven by 7,238.1 property offenses. Camden and Robeson counties also see elevated levels at 6,769.7 and 5,778.5 respectively, reflecting localized activity that exceeds the state average.
The Takeaway
A Generally Safe Outlook for North Carolinians
North Carolina remains a relatively safe state with crime rates consistently tracking below national averages in both violent and property categories. Prospective movers and current residents should feel encouraged by these figures, though checking specific neighborhood data remains important given the variance between rural counties and busy urban hubs.
Safest Counties
All North Carolina Counties
Crime rates per 100K population. — = data pending.
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Data Sources
Crime data sourced from the FBI Crime Data Explorer (UCR) and County Health Rankings. Safety scores are derived composite metrics.
Data is informational only. Not legal or security advice. Coverage varies by county and reporting year.