Dare County Crime & Safety

Dare County, North Carolina

Safety Score

30/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

High Crime

Total Crime Rate

1665.8

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

134.6

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

1531.2

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

30/100

Higher = safer

State avg 32/100

State Safety Rank

#47

of 100 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Dare County, North Carolina

Dare County Reports Exceptional Safety Scores

Dare County earns a high safety score of 97.4, with a total crime rate of 1665.8 per 100K residents. This is significantly lower than the national average total crime rate of 2,385.5.

A Top Performer in North Carolina

The county's safety score exceeds the state average of 96.8, and its violent crime rate is remarkably low. Eight reporting agencies work together to keep Dare County safer than many of its mainland neighbors.

Safer Streets Than Inland Neighbors

Dare County maintains a much lower violent crime rate than Craven or Cumberland counties. It serves as a relatively safe coastal corridor compared to the more urbanized areas of the state.

Property Crimes Outnumber Violent Incidents

Violent crime is rare here, at only 134.6 per 100K compared to the national 369.8. Property crime sits at 1531.2, making it the primary focus for local law enforcement efforts.

Focus on Property Protection

Residents should focus on preventing opportunistic property crimes, which make up the vast majority of local incidents. Motion-sensor lighting and locked entry points are effective deterrents in this coastal community.

SimpliSafe Home Security

Professional 24/7 monitoring for Dare County. No long-term contracts.

Get Protected →

ADT Security Systems

Trusted home security for Dare County residents since 1874.

Get a Quote →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Dare County, NC?

Dare County has a total crime rate of 1665.8 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (134.6 per 100K) and property crimes (1531.2 per 100K).

Is Dare County, NC safe?

Dare County has a safety score of 30/100, rated "High Crime". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #47 out of 100 counties in North Carolina for safety (1 = safest).

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

What types of crime are most common in Dare County?

Violent crime is rare here, at only 134.6 per 100K compared to the national 369.8. Property crime sits at 1531.2, making it the primary focus for local law enforcement efforts.

How is crime data measured and reported for Dare County?

Crime data for Dare 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 Dare County?

Dare County has a safety score of 30/100, 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.