Swain County Crime & Safety

Swain County, North Carolina

Safety Score

33/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

High Crime

Total Crime Rate

1564.0

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

332.6

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

1231.4

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

33/100

Higher = safer

State avg 32/100

State Safety Rank

#42

of 100 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Swain County, North Carolina

High Safety Scores in Swain County

Swain County provides a safe environment with a high safety score of 97.5. Its crime rate of 1,564.0 per 100,000 is far lower than the national average of 2,385.5.

Swain Leads State Safety Benchmarks

The county’s safety score of 97.5 beats the North Carolina average of 96.8. Residents benefit from a crime rate that is nearly 500 points lower than the state average of 2,050.0.

Safer than Most Regional Peers

Swain’s crime rate of 1,564.0 is lower than both Stanly and Surry counties. It represents one of the safer regions in this part of North Carolina.

Violent Crime Aligns with State Averages

Violent crime sits at 332.6 per 100,000, which is nearly identical to the state average of 330.7. Property crime remains the most frequent issue at a rate of 1,231.4.

Securing Your Home Against Property Crime

Property crime accounts for the majority of local incidents, so securing doors and windows is essential. Simple deterrents like alarm stickers and cameras can effectively protect your property.

SimpliSafe Home Security

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

Get Protected →

ADT Security Systems

Trusted home security for Swain County residents since 1874.

Get a Quote →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Swain County, NC?

Swain County has a total crime rate of 1564.0 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (332.6 per 100K) and property crimes (1231.4 per 100K).

Is Swain County, NC safe?

Swain County has a safety score of 33/100, rated "High Crime". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #42 out of 100 counties in North Carolina for safety (1 = safest).

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

The county’s safety score of 97.5 beats the North Carolina average of 96.8. Residents benefit from a crime rate that is nearly 500 points lower than the state average of 2,050.0.

What types of crime are most common in Swain County?

Violent crime sits at 332.6 per 100,000, which is nearly identical to the state average of 330.7. Property crime remains the most frequent issue at a rate of 1,231.4.

How is crime data measured and reported for Swain County?

Crime data for Swain 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.

Why is Swain County safer than the North Carolina average?

Swain County has a safety score of 33/100, which is above the North Carolina average of 32/100. Factors such as local law enforcement effectiveness, community programs, socioeconomic conditions, and population density all contribute to lower crime rates in certain counties.