Gaston County Crime & Safety

Gaston County, North Carolina

Safety Score

10/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

High Crime

Total Crime Rate

2772.4

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

411.4

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

2361.0

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

10/100

Higher = safer

State avg 32/100

State Safety Rank

#81

of 100 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Gaston County, North Carolina

Safety Score Higher Than National Average

Gaston County earns a safety score of 95.6, though its total crime rate of 2,772.4 per 100K is slightly above the national average of 2,385.5. Thirteen agencies contribute to this robust data reporting.

Consistent Performance Near State Averages

Gaston's safety score of 95.6 sits just below the North Carolina average of 96.8. The county's crime rate is roughly 700 points higher than the state average of 2,050.0 incidents per 100K.

A Safer Alternative to Forsyth

Gaston County is significantly safer than nearby Forsyth County, which reports a crime rate over 4,000 per 100K. It offers a more secure residential profile than other urban neighbors.

Understanding Property vs Violent Crime

Property crime remains the primary threat at 2,361.0 incidents per 100K residents. Violent crime is relatively low at 411.4 per 100K, making physical harm less common than theft.

Building a Defensible Home Environment

Securing valuables and installing exterior lighting can deter the property crimes that make up most local reports. Proactive community policing helps keep these numbers stable for residents.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Gaston County, NC?

Gaston County has a total crime rate of 2772.4 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (411.4 per 100K) and property crimes (2361.0 per 100K).

Is Gaston County, NC safe?

Gaston County has a safety score of 10/100, rated "High Crime". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #81 out of 100 counties in North Carolina for safety (1 = safest).

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

Gaston's safety score of 95.6 sits just below the North Carolina average of 96.8. The county's crime rate is roughly 700 points higher than the state average of 2,050.0 incidents per 100K.

What types of crime are most common in Gaston County?

Property crime remains the primary threat at 2,361.0 incidents per 100K residents. Violent crime is relatively low at 411.4 per 100K, making physical harm less common than theft.

How is crime data measured and reported for Gaston County?

Crime data for Gaston 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 Gaston County?

Gaston County has a safety score of 10/100, 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.