C-
23%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
20%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
31%
Property crime NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects the 2022 calendar year and was released from the FBI in September, 2023; this is the most current data available.
StatisticReportedincidents/100k peopleMorehead City/100k peopleNorth Carolina/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime280n/a (estimate)2,8542,4692,324
Murder0n/a0.08.16.3
Rape5n/a51.030.540.0
Robbery0n/a0.054.966.1
Assault24n/a244.6311.6268.2
Violent crime29n/a (estimate)296405370
Burglary45n/a458.7370.8269.8
Theft193n/a1,967.41,494.01,401.9
Vehicle theft13n/a132.5199.3282.7
Property crime251n/a (estimate)2,5592,0641,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Morehead City, NC

Crime can be categorized into two primary types: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes encompass offenses such as murder, rape, robbery, and assault, whereas property crimes involve acts like burglary, theft, and vehicle theft. The overall crime rate in Morehead City is 22.8% higher than the national average. Specifically, there were 29 violent crimes reported in Morehead City, equivalent to 296 per 100,000 residents, which is lower than the national average by 20.1%. Additionally, Morehead City recorded 251 property crimes, amounting to 2559 per 100,000 people, higher than the national average by 30.9%.

In the latest reported crime year, Morehead City recorded zero homicides. This statistic potentially positions the city as a paragon of security, radiating a profound sense of safety for its residents. A low number of severe violent crimes instills a deep feeling of well-being among its community but also establishes a lofty benchmark for other locales aspiring to foster equally secure environments.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Morehead City?

AreaVibes surveyed 14 local residents in Morehead City to gauge the safety of the area. Based on the results, 71% of people answered that there was very little crime in Morehead City and that they felt very comfortable walking alone at night. Another 29% of people responded that there was far too much crime and they would be hesitant to walk the streets alone at night. Keep in mind that the opinions of residents may vary depending on which area they live in.

Is Morehead City a Safe Place to Live?

Determining whether Morehead City is a place to live may not always yield a simple answer, given the city's varying safety levels across different areas. Nonetheless, comprehending the city's overall crime rate can be a valuable asset. In broad terms, Morehead City has an overall crime rate that is 23% higher than the national average. When we take a look at crime on a daily basis, this translates into 0.77 daily occurrences, comprising 0.08 violent crimes and 0.69 property crimes. Scrutinizing these statistics provides a foundation for a more informed assessment of the suitability of Morehead City as a potential place to establish residency.

Has Crime in Morehead City Increased Since Last Year?

Year-over-year crime data allows us to analyze short-term trends in crime activity. By comparing crime rates from one year to the next, we can identify patterns and shifts in Morehead City crime rates. This information can be invaluable for residents looking to make informed decisions on where to live. When comparing the most recent year to the previous year, total crime in Morehead City has decreased by 5.1% year over year. Violent crime has decreased by 14.7% and property crime has decreased by 3.8%.

Potential Causes for Crime in Morehead City

In Morehead City, the poverty rate currently stands at 13%, which contrasts with the national average of 15.1%. It's essential to recognize that the economic status of a city's inhabitants could be a pivotal factor influencing crime stats. Communities grappling with high poverty rates and income inequality are often susceptible to elevated crime levels, as some individuals may turn to unlawful activities to fulfill their essential needs. While lower poverty rates could lead to a reduction in Morehead City crime rates.

In Morehead City, 83.4% of residents have graduated from high school, whereas the national average stands at 83%. The educational makeup of a community can exert a significant influence on crime rates. Typically, higher levels of educational attainment are associated with reduced crime rates, as they furnish individuals with improved employment prospects and viable alternatives to engaging in criminal activities. Conversely, communities characterized by lower educational achievement often grapple with higher crime rates, as limited opportunities may drive individuals towards criminal behavior.

In Morehead City, the cost of living is 2.85% lower than the national average. A high cost of living can induce economic stress for locals, especially those with limited financial resources. When people grapple with soaring housing expenses, utility bills, healthcare costs, and other essential necessities, they may be driven towards criminal activities, including theft or fraud, as a means of financial survival. Conversely, cities boasting a lower cost of living may mitigate economic pressures and potentially result in reduced crime rates.

Morehead City crime map



The Morehead City crime map provides a detailed overview of all crimes in Morehead City as reported by the local law enforcement agencies. Based on the color coded legend above, the crime map outlines the areas with lower crime compared to the areas with higher crime. The Morehead City crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the Morehead City crime map does not always indicate that it is a dangerous area for its residents. Areas on the heat map could be inflated if they are located in high traffic areas like airports, sports centers or large parks. Other areas on the heat map could see increased crime rates if they are located in major tourist areas like the downtown core.
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      Crime Quick Facts

      • Morehead City crime rates are 23% higher than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Morehead City are 20% lower than the national average
      • In Morehead City you have a 1 in 36 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Morehead City is safer than 30% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Morehead City has decreased by 5%

      Morehead City, NC Crime Quiz

         

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        Daily Crime In Morehead City (per 100,000 people)

        The bar chart above reveals the rate of daily crimes in Morehead City for every 100,000 residents. The Morehead City total amount of daily crime is 1.16 times more than the North Carolina average and 1.23 times more than than that of the nation. As for violent crimes, the daily average in Morehead City, is 1.37 times less than the North Carolina average, and it is 1.25 times less than the national average. The statistics for property crimes show that Morehead City has a daily crime average that is 1.24 times more than the North Carolina average and 1.31 times more than the daily national rate.

        How Safe is Morehead City (higher is better)

        What are the odds that you'll be safer in Morehead City, North Carolina compared to other areas of North Carolina, as well as the rest of America? When it comes down to it, is Morehead City safe? In the graphs above, it shows that Morehead City is safer than 51% of North Carolina cities, and 30% compared to all other cities across America. These statistics are calculated by taking a closer look at each city's crime rate in North Carolina, as well as the rest of the US. It is then determined which cities see less crime than Morehead City. At this time, Morehead City sees a below average rate of crime in comparison to other United States cities.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Morehead City

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Morehead City is 1 in 339
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Morehead City is 1 in 40
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Morehead City is 1 in 36
        Are you worried about becoming a crime victim? In Morehead City, your chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime is 1 in 339. Types of violent crimes may include assault, robbery, rape, or murder. You also have a 1 in 40 chance of being the victim of a property crime such as vehicle theft, personal property theft, and burglary. Your overall risk of becoming a crime victim in Morehead City is 1 in 36.

        Year Over Year Crime In Morehead City (per 100,000 people)

        An analysis of year to year crime rates in Morehead City, North Carolina (per 100,000 people) is a useful indicator of whether the area is becoming a safer or a more dangerous place to live. The amount of violent crime in Morehead City has decreased by 15%, the amount of property crime in Morehead City has decreased by 4%, and the total amount of crime in Morehead City has decreased by 5% year over year.

        Morehead City police department

        Item Morehead City North Carolina National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)4514,511558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents5.14.83.3
        There are a total of 45 Morehead City police officers. This results in 5.1 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 6.3% greater than the North Carolina average and 56.1% greater than the National average.

        Sex offenders in North Carolina

        State Total offenders North Carolina /100K National /100K
        North Carolina26,293320266
        There are a total of 26,293 sex offenders in North Carolina. This yields a total of 320 sex offenders in North Carolina per 100,000 residents which is 20% greater than the national average.

        Nearby Cities With Low Crime Rates

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Harkers Island, NC1,31496491587
        Broad Creek, NC2,3061829301,112
        Pine Knoll Shores, NC1,284721,2171,288
        Newport, NC4,6102631,7752,038
        Havelock, NC19,9271992,0052,204
        Emerald Isle, NC3,6913302,0812,411
        Beaufort, NC4,3825991,9032,501
        Morehead City, NC9,4952962,5592,854

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Itasca, IL9,4961498761,025
        Brownsville, TN9,4971,2532,3803,633
        Beckett Ridge, OH9,493103626729
        Corona de Tucson, AZ9,4923191,5221,841
        Mound, MN9,4981841,2891,473
        Morehead City, NC9,4952962,5592,854
        Source: The Morehead City, NC crime data displayed above is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reports for the year of 2022. The crime report encompasses more than 18,000 city and state law enforcement agencies reporting data on property and violent crimes. The uniform crime reports program represents approximately 309 million American residents, which results in 98% coverage of metropolitan statistical areas.