Carteret County Crime & Safety

Carteret County, North Carolina

Safety Score

26/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

High Crime

Total Crime Rate

1820.0

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

237.0

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

1583.0

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

26/100

Higher = safer

State avg 32/100

State Safety Rank

#54

of 100 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Carteret County, North Carolina

Carteret County Maintains Strong Safety Standards

Carteret County enjoys a safety score of 97.1, indicating a very secure environment. Its total crime rate of 1,820.0 per 100K is comfortably lower than the national average of 2,385.5.

Exceeding North Carolina Safety Averages

With a safety score of 97.1, Carteret outperforms the state average of 96.8. Its total crime rate of 1,820.0 per 100K is also lower than the state’s typical 2,050.0 per 100K.

Comparing Coastal Safety Profiles

Carteret is safer than neighbor Bladen County, which has a crime rate of 1,922.3 per 100K. However, it experiences more crime than Brunswick County, the region's safety leader at 1,268.2 per 100K.

Lower Violent Crime than National Peers

The local violent crime rate is 237.0 per 100K, which is significantly lower than the national average of 369.8. Property crime follows this trend at 1,583.0 per 100K, below the national 2,015.7.

Proactive Protection for Coastal Homes

Maintaining Carteret's safety involves basic home security habits and community vigilance. Smart home technology, such as integrated alarms, provides peace of mind for both permanent and seasonal residents.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Carteret County, NC?

Carteret County has a total crime rate of 1820.0 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (237.0 per 100K) and property crimes (1583.0 per 100K).

Is Carteret County, NC safe?

Carteret County has a safety score of 26/100, rated "High Crime". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #54 out of 100 counties in North Carolina for safety (1 = safest).

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

With a safety score of 97.1, Carteret outperforms the state average of 96.8. Its total crime rate of 1,820.0 per 100K is also lower than the state’s typical 2,050.0 per 100K.

What types of crime are most common in Carteret County?

The local violent crime rate is 237.0 per 100K, which is significantly lower than the national average of 369.8. Property crime follows this trend at 1,583.0 per 100K, below the national 2,015.7.

How is crime data measured and reported for Carteret County?

Crime data for Carteret 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 Carteret County?

Carteret County has a safety score of 26/100, 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.