Caldwell County Crime & Safety

Caldwell County, North Carolina

Safety Score

15/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

High Crime

Total Crime Rate

2408.5

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

142.5

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

2266.0

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

15/100

Higher = safer

State avg 32/100

State Safety Rank

#73

of 100 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Caldwell County, North Carolina

Caldwell Aligns Closely with National Rates

Caldwell County reports a total crime rate of 2,408.5 per 100K, which sits very close to the national average of 2,385.5. It maintains a safety score of 96.2 based on data from five reporting agencies.

Crime Rates Slightly Above State Average

The county's total crime rate of 2,408.5 per 100K is higher than the North Carolina state average of 2,050.0. However, its safety score of 96.2 remains competitive with the state average of 96.8.

Safer than Neighbors to the West

Caldwell County is notably safer than its neighbor Burke County, where the crime rate reaches 4,059.3 per 100K. It also shows a lower crime rate than Buncombe County’s 2,894.4 per 100K.

Low Violent Crime but Active Property Crime

Violent crime in Caldwell is low at 142.5 per 100K, which is less than half the national average. Conversely, property crime is more prevalent at 2,266.0 per 100K, exceeding the national rate of 2,015.7.

Focusing Security on Property Protection

Since property crime is the primary local concern, residents should focus on securing sheds, garages, and vehicles. Motion sensors and deadbolts are simple yet effective ways to deter theft.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Caldwell County, NC?

Caldwell County has a total crime rate of 2408.5 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (142.5 per 100K) and property crimes (2266.0 per 100K).

Is Caldwell County, NC safe?

Caldwell County has a safety score of 15/100, rated "High Crime". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #73 out of 100 counties in North Carolina for safety (1 = safest).

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

The county's total crime rate of 2,408.5 per 100K is higher than the North Carolina state average of 2,050.0. However, its safety score of 96.2 remains competitive with the state average of 96.8.

What types of crime are most common in Caldwell County?

How is crime data measured and reported for Caldwell County?

Crime data for Caldwell 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 Caldwell County?

Caldwell County has a safety score of 15/100, 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.