Rutherford County Crime & Safety

Rutherford County, North Carolina

Safety Score

20/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

High Crime

Total Crime Rate

2085.7

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

298.4

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

1787.3

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

20/100

Higher = safer

State avg 32/100

State Safety Rank

#67

of 100 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Rutherford County, North Carolina

Rutherford County Outperforms National Safety Benchmarks

Rutherford County maintains a strong 96.7 safety score, indicating a secure environment for residents. Its total crime rate of 2,085.7 per 100,000 people sits comfortably below the national average of 2,385.5.

Matching the North Carolina Safety Average

The county's safety score of 96.7 aligns perfectly with the North Carolina state average. However, its total crime rate is slightly higher than the state average of 2,050.0 per 100,000 residents.

Consistent Performance Among Regional Peers

Rutherford's crime rate of 2,085.7 mirrors neighboring Sampson County, which reports a rate of 2,045.0. It remains significantly safer than more volatile regions like Scotland County.

Property Crimes Drive Local Incident Numbers

Property crime accounts for 1,787.3 incidents per 100,000, which is the primary driver of local statistics. Violent crime remains low at 298.4, staying well under the national violent crime rate of 369.8.

Simple Steps to Deter Property Theft

Since property crime is the most common issue, basic home security can make a big difference. Installing motion lights and smart doorbells helps keep Rutherford County neighborhoods safe.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Rutherford County, NC?

Rutherford County has a total crime rate of 2085.7 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (298.4 per 100K) and property crimes (1787.3 per 100K).

Is Rutherford County, NC safe?

Rutherford County has a safety score of 20/100, rated "High Crime". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #67 out of 100 counties in North Carolina for safety (1 = safest).

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

The county's safety score of 96.7 aligns perfectly with the North Carolina state average. However, its total crime rate is slightly higher than the state average of 2,050.0 per 100,000 residents.

What types of crime are most common in Rutherford County?

How is crime data measured and reported for Rutherford County?

Crime data for Rutherford 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 Rutherford County?

Rutherford County has a safety score of 20/100, 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.