Cleveland County Crime & Safety

Cleveland County, North Carolina

Safety Score

24/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

High Crime

Total Crime Rate

1920.1

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

444.1

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

1476.0

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

24/100

Higher = safer

State avg 32/100

State Safety Rank

#57

of 100 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Cleveland County, North Carolina

Cleveland Outperforms National Norms

Cleveland County holds a safety score of 97.0, meaning it is safer than the average American county. Its total crime rate of 1,920.1 per 100K is roughly 20% lower than the national average.

Meeting State Safety Standards

The county's safety score of 97.0 sits just above the North Carolina state average of 96.8. Local law enforcement across five agencies manages a crime rate slightly below the statewide average of 2,050.0.

Comparing Regional Safety Stats

Cleveland shows more crime activity than its neighbor Catawba but remains within the expected range for the region. The multiple reporting agencies provide a comprehensive look at local safety trends.

Violent Crime Trends are Higher

The violent crime rate is 444.1 per 100K, which is higher than both state and national averages. However, property crime is lower than the national average at 1,476.0 per 100K.

Stay Safe and Aware

Because violent crime rates are slightly elevated, staying aware of your surroundings is as important as home security. A home video system provides extra protection and peace of mind for Cleveland families.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Cleveland County, NC?

Cleveland County has a total crime rate of 1920.1 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (444.1 per 100K) and property crimes (1476.0 per 100K).

Is Cleveland County, NC safe?

Cleveland County has a safety score of 24/100, rated "High Crime". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #57 out of 100 counties in North Carolina for safety (1 = safest).

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

What types of crime are most common in Cleveland County?

The violent crime rate is 444.1 per 100K, which is higher than both state and national averages. However, property crime is lower than the national average at 1,476.0 per 100K.

How is crime data measured and reported for Cleveland County?

Crime data for Cleveland 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 Cleveland County?

Cleveland County has a safety score of 24/100, 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.