Buncombe County Crime & Safety

Buncombe County, North Carolina

Safety Score

9/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

High Crime

Total Crime Rate

2894.4

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

393.0

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

2501.4

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

9/100

Higher = safer

State avg 32/100

State Safety Rank

#84

of 100 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Buncombe County, North Carolina

Crime Rates Exceed the National Average

Buncombe County records a total crime rate of 2,894.4 per 100K, which is higher than the national average of 2,385.5. Despite this, the county maintains a safety score of 95.4 based on reporting from 11 local agencies.

Below the North Carolina Safety Norm

Buncombe’s safety score of 95.4 falls below the North Carolina state average of 96.8. Its total crime rate of 2,894.4 per 100K is also higher than the state average of 2,050.0, indicating more local activity.

Monitoring Trends in Western North Carolina

Buncombe County sees 2,894.4 crimes per 100K, which is higher than neighbor Caldwell County at 2,408.5. However, it remains safer than Burke County, where crime rates exceed 4,000 per 100K.

Property Crimes Predominate in Buncombe

Property crime is the primary driver of local statistics at 2,501.4 per 100K residents. Violent crime stands at 393.0 per 100K, slightly surpassing the national violent crime average of 369.8.

Strengthening Your Neighborhood Safety

With property crime as a primary concern, neighbors should stay vigilant and report suspicious activity. Modern doorbell cameras are effective tools for monitoring home entrances and discouraging theft.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Buncombe County, NC?

Buncombe County has a total crime rate of 2894.4 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (393.0 per 100K) and property crimes (2501.4 per 100K).

Is Buncombe County, NC safe?

Buncombe County has a safety score of 9/100, rated "High Crime". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #84 out of 100 counties in North Carolina for safety (1 = safest).

How does Buncombe County crime compare to the North Carolina average?

What types of crime are most common in Buncombe County?

Property crime is the primary driver of local statistics at 2,501.4 per 100K residents. Violent crime stands at 393.0 per 100K, slightly surpassing the national violent crime average of 369.8.

How is crime data measured and reported for Buncombe County?

Crime data for Buncombe 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 Buncombe County?

Buncombe County has a safety score of 9/100, which is below the North Carolina average of 32/100. 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.