Safest cities in North Carolina

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: 16,382 407 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 33 Property Crime / 100k: 374 chance of being a victim: 1 in 246
Pinehurst proudly holds the honor of being the safest city in North Carolina. With only 407 crimes per 100,000 people, Pinehurst has a crime rate that is 82% lower than the North Carolina average. This equates to an average of 0.21 crimes per day and a 1 in 246 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: 12,920 500 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 33 Property Crime / 100k: 467 chance of being a victim: 1 in 200
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 500 crimes per 100,000 people. When you dig deeper into the numbers, this translates to: 66 counts of burglary, 382 counts of theft, 20 counts of vehicle theft, 20 counts of assault, 7 counts of robbery, 7 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.
Winterville Population: 10,062 643 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 159 Property Crime / 100k: 485 chance of being a victim: 1 in 155
With a population of 10,062 and a total crime rate of 643 per 100,000 residents, Winterville 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: 11,941 712 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 88 Property Crime / 100k: 625 chance of being a victim: 1 in 140
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 712, 89% lower than the North Carolina average. This amounts to 0.22 crimes per day and a 1 in 140 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.
Rolesville Population: 8,002 739 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 85 Property Crime / 100k: 654 chance of being a victim: 1 in 135
Known for its friendly neighborhoods and proactive safety measures, Rolesville consistently ranks high in safety. In Rolesville, 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 739, which is 89% lower than the state average.
Waxhaw Population: 16,165 818 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 84 Property Crime / 100k: 734 chance of being a victim: 1 in 122
Waxhaw 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 818 crimes per 100,000 people, 77% lower than the North Carolina average. Breaking down each category of crime, it comes out to: 71 reports of burglary, 632 reports of theft, 31 reports of vehicle theft, 49 reports of assault, 4 reports of robbery, 31 reports of rape and 0 reports of homicide.
Fuquay-Varina Population: 29,110 920 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 69 Property Crime / 100k: 850 chance of being a victim: 1 in 109
Fuquay-Varina ranks as the seventh safest city in North Carolina and offers a peaceful retreat with minimal crime. With a 1 in 109 chance of becoming a victim of a crime and 0.98 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.
Wendell Population: 7,962 962 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 172 Property Crime / 100k: 791 chance of being a victim: 1 in 104
Recognized for sprawling open spaces, outdoor recreational opportunities, and a growing economy, Wendell 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 87% lower than the North Carolina average, reporting a total of 962 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.
Stallings Population: 15,781 1,038 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 95 Property Crime / 100k: 943 chance of being a victim: 1 in 96
Many safe cities implement comprehensive crime prevention programs that include educational initiatives, youth engagement activities, and public awareness campaigns. Stallings 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 1,038 crimes per 100,000 residents, which is 83% lower than the state average.
Mint Hill Population: 27,258 1,055 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 86 Property Crime / 100k: 969 chance of being a victim: 1 in 95
Completing the list as the 10th safest city in North Carolina, is Mint Hill. With a low rate of crime that included 150 burglaries, 745 thefts, 75 vehicle thefts, 52 assaults, 26 robberies, 4 rapes and 4 homicides, the overall crime rate was 73% 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 33 374 407
2 Davidson 12,920 33 467 500
3 Winterville 10,062 159 485 643
4 Elon 11,941 88 625 712
5 Rolesville 8,002 85 654 739
6 Waxhaw 16,165 84 734 818
7 Fuquay-Varina 29,110 69 850 920
8 Wendell 7,962 172 791 962
9 Stallings 15,781 95 943 1,038
10 Mint Hill 27,258 86 969 1,055
11 Holly Springs 36,595 66 1,004 1,070
12 Concord 94,147 106 984 1,090
13 Gibsonville 7,232 199 939 1,138
14 Cornelius 29,836 132 1,007 1,139
15 Wake Forest 44,068 115 1,043 1,158
16 Cary 169,177 80 1,106 1,185
17 Apex 55,220 55 1,144 1,198
18 Woodfin 6,689 185 1,074 1,260
19 Huntersville 57,288 135 1,212 1,348
20 Clayton 23,179 113 1,235 1,348
21 Boiling Spring Lakes 6,156 173 1,355 1,528
22 Brevard 7,841 180 1,414 1,594
23 Boone 19,466 111 1,527 1,638
24 Mount Holly 15,947 209 1,458 1,667
25 Bessemer City 5,536 305 1,365 1,670
26 Archdale 11,738 167 1,650 1,816
27 Fletcher 8,287 161 1,712 1,874
28 King 6,980 69 1,830 1,899
29 Ayden 5,138 434 1,480 1,914
30 Butner 7,779 209 1,775 1,984
31 Carrboro 21,254 274 1,732 2,006
32 Cherryville 6,018 194 1,824 2,018
33 Chapel Hill 61,912 185 1,989 2,174
34 Havelock 19,927 199 2,005 2,204
35 Southern Pines 14,347 244 1,989 2,233
36 Kannapolis 49,788 196 2,046 2,242
37 Selma 6,950 628 1,622 2,250
38 Morrisville 27,582 120 2,144 2,264
39 Newton 13,106 234 2,075 2,309
40 Mooresville 38,498 180 2,132 2,312
41 Jacksonville 74,313 311 2,074 2,385
42 Graham 15,168 420 2,060 2,480
43 New Bern 29,985 506 2,040 2,546
44 Carolina Beach 6,324 466 2,225 2,691
45 Kings Mountain 10,885 482 2,254 2,736
46 Knightdale 16,798 209 2,559 2,767
47 Raleigh 469,698 500 2,335 2,834
48 Oxford 8,812 731 2,114 2,844
49 Morehead City 9,495 296 2,559 2,854
50 Angier 5,748 294 2,644 2,938

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

  • Well Below nat. avg.
  • Below nat. avg.
  • Similar to nat. avg.
  • Above nat. avg.
  • Well above nat. avg.

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.