New Hanover County Crime & Safety

New Hanover County, North Carolina

Safety Score

13/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

High Crime

Total Crime Rate

2542.8

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

348.5

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

2194.3

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

13/100

Higher = safer

State avg 32/100

State Safety Rank

#80

of 100 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in New Hanover County, North Carolina

New Hanover’s Safety Profile in National Perspective

New Hanover County maintains a safety score of 96.0, which reflects a secure environment despite local challenges. Its total crime rate of 2542.8 per 100K sits slightly above the national average of 2,385.5.

Comparing Coastal Safety to the State Average

The county's total crime rate exceeds the North Carolina average of 2050.0 per 100K. Its safety score of 96.0 falls just below the state average of 96.8, characterizing its status as a busy coastal hub.

New Hanover Leads Neighbors in Activity

Compared to neighboring Pender County's low rate of 1164.1, New Hanover sees more frequent law enforcement activity. However, its violent crime rate of 348.5 remains lower than the national average of 369.8.

Understanding Property vs. Violent Crime Trends

Property crime accounts for the majority of local incidents at 2194.3 per 100K. Violent crime remains relatively low at 348.5, meaning residents primarily deal with non-violent offenses like theft.

Securing Your Home in the Coastal Hub

Since property crime drives the local numbers, simple measures like outdoor lighting and alarm systems provide significant peace of mind. Staying informed about local trends helps residents keep their homes and belongings secure.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in New Hanover County, NC?

New Hanover County has a total crime rate of 2542.8 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (348.5 per 100K) and property crimes (2194.3 per 100K).

Is New Hanover County, NC safe?

New Hanover County has a safety score of 13/100, rated "High Crime". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #80 out of 100 counties in North Carolina for safety (1 = safest).

How does New Hanover County crime compare to the North Carolina average?

What types of crime are most common in New Hanover County?

Property crime accounts for the majority of local incidents at 2194.3 per 100K. Violent crime remains relatively low at 348.5, meaning residents primarily deal with non-violent offenses like theft.

How is crime data measured and reported for New Hanover County?

Crime data for New Hanover 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 New Hanover County?

New Hanover County has a safety score of 13/100, 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.