Lee County Crime & Safety

Lee County, North Carolina

Safety Score

28/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

High Crime

Total Crime Rate

1755.8

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

180.9

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

1574.9

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

28/100

Higher = safer

State avg 32/100

State Safety Rank

#52

of 100 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Lee County, North Carolina

Lee County Stronger Than National Average

Lee County earns a strong safety score of 97.2, indicating a secure community relative to national trends. The total crime rate of 1,755.8 per 100,000 residents sits comfortably below the national average of 2,385.5.

Performing Above the State Average

Lee County outperforms the North Carolina average safety score of 96.8. Its total crime rate is also lower than the statewide average of 2,050.0, showing effective local law enforcement.

Competitive Safety in the Region

Lee County maintains a violent crime rate of 180.9, which is nearly 45% lower than the state average of 330.7. This gives it a significant safety advantage over many of its regional neighbors.

Property Crimes Predominate Locally

Property crime is the primary concern at 1,574.9 per 100,000, yet it remains lower than the national average of 2,015.7. Violent crime is relatively infrequent, making the area safer than many similarly sized counties.

Proactive Security for Lee Residents

To help keep property crime rates trending downward, residents should focus on securing vehicles and homes. Simple deterrents like motion-activated lights are effective tools for maintaining Lee County's safety.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Lee County, NC?

Lee County has a total crime rate of 1755.8 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (180.9 per 100K) and property crimes (1574.9 per 100K).

Is Lee County, NC safe?

Lee County has a safety score of 28/100, rated "High Crime". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #52 out of 100 counties in North Carolina for safety (1 = safest).

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

Lee County outperforms the North Carolina average safety score of 96.8. Its total crime rate is also lower than the statewide average of 2,050.0, showing effective local law enforcement.

What types of crime are most common in Lee County?

How is crime data measured and reported for Lee County?

Crime data for Lee 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 Lee County?

Lee County has a safety score of 28/100, 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.