Bessemer City, NC Crime Rates

An Overview of Crime Rates in Bessemer City, NC

When we analyze the latest crime report, the Bessemer City crime rate is 28.2% lower than the national average. These incidents are classified into two primary categories: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes include assault, robbery, rape and murder. Whereas property crimes encompass theft, vehicle theft and burglary. In the case of Bessemer City, there were 17 reported violent crimes, equivalent to 305 per 100,000 individuals, 17.5% lower than the national average. Additionally, Bessemer City recorded 76 property crimes, amounting to 1365 per 100,000 residents, 30.2% lower than the U.S. average.

While murder rates in the United States have shown a consistent decline since 1990, recent years have witnessed an increase. Unfortunately, Bessemer City ranks among the cities with the highest murder rates in the nation, when compared to all reporting cities in the U.S. In Bessemer City, there were a total of 2 murders, translating to 36 murders per 100,000 residents. This alarming statistic underscores the need for heightened attention to community safety and crime prevention efforts in the area.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Bessemer City?

What do the local residents think about crime in Bessemer City? Well, based on a recent survey of 9 people (conducted by AreaVibes), 67% of Bessemer City residents said that there was virtually no crime and that they felt safe walking at night. Another 33% of respondents said that there was too much crime in the area and they did not feel safe walking alone at night.

Is Bessemer City a Safe Place to Live?

To determine if Bessemer City is a safe place to live, let's take a look at the overall crime rate of the area, as well as the number of daily crimes. Bessemer City has a total crime rate that is 28% lower than the national average per 100,000 residents. This results in a total of 0.25 daily crimes (0.05 violent daily crimes and 0.21 daily property crimes) in Bessemer City.

Has Crime in Bessemer City Increased Since Last Year?

Year-over-year crime data allows residents and potential residents to assess the crime in Bessemer City. A decrease in crime rates may indicate improving safety, while an increase could raise concerns. The year-over-year crime rate in Bessemer City has decreased by 29.6%. Violent crimes have decreased by 32%, while property crimes have decreased by 29%. By comparing crime rates from one year to the next, authorities and communities can identify trends and patterns in criminal activity. This helps in understanding whether crime is increasing, decreasing, or remaining stable over time.

Potential Causes for Crime in Bessemer City

In Bessemer City, the current unemployment rate stands at 3.4%, diverging from the national average of 4.7%. The availability of job opportunities is a pivotal factor influencing unemployment and underemployment rates. Communities where individuals contend with limited employment prospects or a preponderance of low-wage positions may witness elevated rates of joblessness and income inadequacy, which can contribute to heightened crime levels driven by financial insecurity. Conversely, areas characterized by robust employment rates often experience a reduction in overall Bessemer City crime rates.

Escalating cost of living expenses, encompassing exorbitant housing costs, grocery and healthcare expenditures, can induce financial strain on individuals and families, particularly those with limited financial resources. Such economic stress may propel individuals towards criminal activities, including theft or burglary, as a means of addressing their financial hardships. Conversely, cities characterized by a lower cost of living may alleviate economic pressures, potentially resulting in a reduced crime rate. In Bessemer City, the cost of living is 11.36% lower than the national average, reflecting a more affordable economic environment that could contribute to a decrease in crime levels.

In Bessemer City, the median home price stands at $110,200, diverging from the national average of $184,700. Elevated housing costs often induce financial strain among residents. When individuals grapple with the challenges of affording housing, they may find themselves compelled to resort to criminal activities as a means of addressing their financial hardships, including acts like theft or fraud. This predicament is particularly pronounced in areas where housing affordability poses a persistent issue, giving rise to heightened concerns regarding crime. In such instances, some individuals and families may find themselves constrained to reside in cramped or subpar housing conditions, exacerbating stress levels and potentially fostering domestic disputes and associated criminal incidents.

Bessemer City crime map