Safest cities in North Carolina

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Known as the 'Tar Heel State,' North Carolina is celebrated for its diverse landscapes, vibrant cities, and rich cultural heritage. Located in the southeastern United States, North Carolina offers a variety of terrains, from the Appalachian Mountains in the west to the Atlantic Ocean beaches in the east. The state's economy is robust, driven by industries such as technology, finance, agriculture, and manufacturing. Charlotte, the state's largest city, is a major financial hub, while Raleigh, the state capital, is part of the Research Triangle, known for its high-tech research and development. North Carolina is also home to prestigious universities, beautiful parks, and a thriving arts scene, contributing to its dynamic cultural landscape.

Low crime rates are essential for maintaining a high quality of life, making the safest cities in North Carolina highly desirable. Safety fosters a sense of community and stability, allowing residents to thrive in a secure environment. Factors contributing to the safety of North Carolina's cities include strong law enforcement, active community policing, and engaged local governments. The safest cities are ranked based on total crime per 100,000 people, ensuring a transparent and reliable measure of safety. This emphasis on security allows residents to enjoy North Carolina's natural beauty, cultural richness, and economic opportunities without the overshadowing concern of crime, making it an attractive place to live and work.

Pinehurst Population: 16,382 383 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 43 Property Crime / 100k: 340 chance of being a victim: 1 in 261

Pinehurst proudly holds the honor of being the safest city in North Carolina. With only 383 crimes per 100,000 people, Pinehurst has a crime rate that is 81% lower than the North Carolina average. This equates to an average of 0.20 crimes per day and a 1 in 261 chance of becoming a victim of a crime. The city's well-funded police department, active neighborhood watch programs, and community engagement initiatives contribute significantly to its low crime rates, making it an ideal place for families and retirees.

Davidson Population: 12,920 385 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 19 Property Crime / 100k: 367 chance of being a victim: 1 in 260

Known for its tight-knight community and safe environment, Davidson comes in at #2 on our list of the safest cities in North Carolina with a crime rate of 385 crimes per 100,000 people. When you dig deeper into the numbers, this translates to: 56 counts of burglary, 286 counts of theft, 25 counts of vehicle theft, 19 counts of assault, 0 counts of robbery, 0 counts of rape and 0 counts of homicide. The commitment to safety in Davidson, makes it one of the safest and most livable areas in the state.

Rolesville Population: 8,002 404 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 18 Property Crime / 100k: 386 chance of being a victim: 1 in 248

With a population of 8,002 and a total crime rate of 404 per 100,000 residents, Rolesville is the 3rd safest city in North Carolina. Exhibiting a total crime rate that is 89% lower than the North Carolina average, the commitment to safety is evident in its multifaceted crime prevention strategies. The local government collaborates closely with residents through regular community meetings and feedback sessions to address safety concerns. The end result, is an incredibly safe place to live.

Elon Population: 11,941 437 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 54 Property Crime / 100k: 384 chance of being a victim: 1 in 229

With many parks and recreational activities readily available, Elon is a growing community where residents can enjoy the outdoors. Residents also feel safe, knowing that the overall crime rate per 100,000 people is 437, 89% lower than the North Carolina average. This amounts to 0.13 crimes per day and a 1 in 229 chance of becoming a victim of a crime. Strong community partnerships between local businesses, schools, and law enforcement further enhance the city’s security. These combined efforts make Elon a highly desirable and safe place to call home.

Waxhaw Population: 16,165 545 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 60 Property Crime / 100k: 486 chance of being a victim: 1 in 183

Known for its friendly neighborhoods and proactive safety measures, Waxhaw consistently ranks high in safety. In Waxhaw, the focus on community policing ensures that officers are integrated into the community, building strong relationships with residents. Crime prevention education, offered through schools and local organizations, empowers residents to take an active role in maintaining their safety. With everything working asynchronously, the total crime rate comes in at 545, which is 77% lower than the state average.

Leland Population: 21,903 607 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 96 Property Crime / 100k: 511 chance of being a victim: 1 in 165

Leland has lots to offer its residents, including safety as it comes in at #6 on our list of the safest cities in North Carolina. The total crime rate from the year that it was last reported was 607 crimes per 100,000 people, 69% lower than the North Carolina average. Breaking down each category of crime, it comes out to: 99 reports of burglary, 387 reports of theft, 26 reports of vehicle theft, 80 reports of assault, 10 reports of robbery, 6 reports of rape and 0 reports of homicide.

Fuquay-Varina Population: 29,110 675 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 65 Property Crime / 100k: 610 chance of being a victim: 1 in 148

Fuquay-Varina ranks as the seventh safest city in North Carolina and offers a peaceful retreat with minimal crime. With a 1 in 148 chance of becoming a victim of a crime and 0.82 crimes per day (per 100,000 people), the area has a safety record that speaks for itself. Active involvement from its residents, such as neighborhood patrols and community safety workshops, fosters a strong sense of community and vigilance. Fuquay-Varina’s commitment to safety makes it one of the safest places in North Carolina.

Winterville Population: 10,062 794 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 185 Property Crime / 100k: 609 chance of being a victim: 1 in 126

Recognized for sprawling open spaces, outdoor recreational opportunities, and a growing economy, Winterville is the 8th safest city in North Carolina. Continuously ranking as one of the safest cities in the state, the crime rate came in at 89% lower than the North Carolina average, reporting a total of 794 crimes per 100,000 people. The city places a strong emphasis on public safety through various initiatives that promote collaboration between residents and local authorities. Regular community safety events and lots of outdoor spaces, coupled with an accessible and responsive police force, ensure that residents feel safe and supported.

Apex Population: 55,220 959 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 53 Property Crime / 100k: 907 chance of being a victim: 1 in 104

Many safe cities implement comprehensive crime prevention programs that include educational initiatives, youth engagement activities, and public awareness campaigns. Apex is a great example of such a city and continually ranks as one of the safest communities in North Carolina, based on the annual review of the FBI uniform crime report. Statistically speaking, there were a total of 959 crimes per 100,000 residents, which is 26% lower than the state average.

Gibsonville Population: 7,232 1,006 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 109 Property Crime / 100k: 897 chance of being a victim: 1 in 99

Completing the list as the 10th safest city in North Carolina, is Gibsonville. With a low rate of crime that included 153 burglaries, 700 thefts, 44 vehicle thefts, 87 assaults, 0 robberies, 22 rapes and 0 homicides, the overall crime rate was 91% lower than the state average. Cities with engaged citizens and responsive government bodies are more likely to implement effective policies and practices that promote safety and address residents’ concerns.

Full list of the safest cities in North Carolina

Rank	Location	Population	Violent Crimes /100k	Property Crimes /100k	Total Crimes /100k
1	Pinehurst	16,382	43	340	383
2	Davidson	12,920	19	367	385
3	Rolesville	8,002	18	386	404
4	Elon	11,941	54	384	437
5	Waxhaw	16,165	60	486	545
6	Leland	21,903	96	511	607
7	Fuquay-Varina	29,110	65	610	675
8	Winterville	10,062	185	609	794
9	Apex	55,220	53	907	959
10	Gibsonville	7,232	109	897	1,006
11	Cornelius	29,836	144	869	1,012
12	Stallings	15,781	94	926	1,020
13	Bessemer City	5,536	249	818	1,067
14	Concord	94,147	112	979	1,091
15	Holly Springs	36,595	81	1,029	1,110
16	Woodfin	6,689	197	971	1,168
17	Wendell	7,962	101	1,102	1,202
18	Mint Hill	27,258	55	1,202	1,256
19	Boone	19,466	105	1,157	1,261
20	Boiling Spring Lakes	6,156	166	1,133	1,299
21	Cary	169,177	104	1,231	1,335
22	Black Mountain	8,177	59	1,347	1,406
23	Fletcher	8,287	49	1,422	1,471
24	Butner	7,779	260	1,274	1,534
25	Archdale	11,738	83	1,543	1,626
26	Mount Holly	15,947	223	1,420	1,643
27	Huntersville	57,288	202	1,444	1,646
28	Clayton	23,179	133	1,552	1,685
29	King	6,980	40	1,645	1,685
30	Wake Forest	44,068	160	1,587	1,747
31	Brevard	7,841	268	1,669	1,937
32	Havelock	19,927	156	1,784	1,940
33	Ayden	5,138	492	1,496	1,989
34	Southern Pines	14,347	299	1,798	2,097
35	Kannapolis	49,788	227	1,988	2,215
36	Mooresville	38,498	199	2,156	2,355
37	Graham	15,168	401	1,956	2,357
38	New Bern	29,985	297	2,072	2,368
39	Newton	13,106	380	1,996	2,376
40	Kill Devil Hills	7,249	420	2,022	2,441
41	Carrboro	21,254	272	2,338	2,611
42	Carolina Beach	6,324	392	2,252	2,645
43	Cherryville	6,018	207	2,441	2,648
44	Siler City	8,159	376	2,356	2,732
45	Chapel Hill	61,912	178	2,587	2,765
46	Morrisville	27,582	124	2,672	2,796
47	Elizabeth City	17,725	473	2,422	2,895
48	Kings Mountain	10,885	607	2,359	2,965
49	Selma	6,950	653	2,329	2,982
50	High Point	112,434	446	2,544	2,990

Methodology

The AreaVibes list of the safest cities in North Carolina is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reporting program (UCR Program) from their most recent release. To compile this list, we used violent crime (assualt, robbery, rape and murder) and property crime data (burglary, theft, vehicle theft) per 100,000 people and only included North Carolina cities with a population of 5,000 or more. Displaying crime rates based on a population of 100,000 allows for an equal comparison for each city.

Map of Crime by State

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The interactive map above is a powerful tool for discovering the safest cities in each state across the USA. By highlighting states with the lowest total crime rates, this map provides valuable insights into the factors contributing to these statistics. It showcases urban centers with thriving economies, regions boasting solid job markets, and areas with low unemployment, all of which correlate with reduced crime rates. By clicking on each state, you can dive deeper into information about their safest cities and explore detailed crime statistics that paint a clearer picture of safety across the nation.