Catawba County Crime & Safety

Catawba County, North Carolina

Safety Score

54/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

Average

Total Crime Rate

1049.0

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

120.5

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

928.5

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

54/100

Higher = safer

State avg 32/100

State Safety Rank

#17

of 100 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Catawba County, North Carolina

Strong Security in the Foothills

Catawba County earns a high 98.3 safety score, signaling a much safer environment than the national average. The total crime rate of 1,049.0 per 100K is less than half the U.S. average of 2,385.5.

Leading the State in Safety

The county's safety score of 98.3 outperforms the North Carolina average of 96.8. Across seven reporting agencies, local law enforcement maintains a crime rate nearly 50% lower than the state average.

A Regional Safety Standout

Catawba maintains a more secure profile than neighbors like Cleveland County, which sees higher crime rates. This stability across multiple agencies suggests a consistently safe environment for the region's residents.

Understanding Local Crime Trends

Property crime accounts for 928.5 per 100K, whereas violent crime remains low at 120.5. These statistics indicate that the vast majority of police activity involves non-violent property disputes and theft.

Secure Your Property Today

Because property crime is the primary concern, residents should focus on securing windows and using motion lighting. Consistent home maintenance and security help uphold the county's impressive safety rating.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Catawba County, NC?

Catawba County has a total crime rate of 1049.0 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (120.5 per 100K) and property crimes (928.5 per 100K).

Is Catawba County, NC safe?

Catawba County has a safety score of 54/100, rated "Average". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #17 out of 100 counties in North Carolina for safety (1 = safest).

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

What types of crime are most common in Catawba County?

How is crime data measured and reported for Catawba County?

Crime data for Catawba 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.

Why is Catawba County safer than the North Carolina average?

Catawba County has a safety score of 54/100, which is above the North Carolina average of 32/100. Factors such as local law enforcement effectiveness, community programs, socioeconomic conditions, and population density all contribute to lower crime rates in certain counties.