Spencer, NC Crime Rates

An Overview of Crime Rates in Spencer, NC

When we analyze the latest crime report, the Spencer crime rate is 0.4% 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 Spencer, there were 10 reported violent crimes, equivalent to 301 per 100,000 individuals, 18.7% lower than the national average. Additionally, Spencer recorded 67 property crimes, amounting to 2014 per 100,000 residents, 3% higher than the U.S. average.

When assessing the overall crime rate in Spencer per 100,000 people, it stands in the median range among all cities with reported crime data. Our analysis of total incidents, encompassing both violent and property crimes, underscores the close alignment of reported Spencer crime rates with the national average as reported by other areas.

Despite a steady decline in murder rates in the United States since 1990, recent years have witnessed an unfortunate uptick. Spencer stands out with one of the nation's highest murder rates, surpassing other cities that reported crime. In Spencer, there were a total of 1 murders, translating to 30 murders per 100,000 people, underscoring the pressing need for continued efforts to address and reduce severe violent crime in the area.

Spencer maintains a property crime rate that closely resembles the national norm. In Spencer, 2014 property crimes were reported, aligning with the national average of 1954 per 100,000 individuals. Consequently, the area's safety profile stands on par with the average city, neither significantly safer nor more dangerous. This consistency underscores a balanced commitment to community safety and security, providing residents with a stable and reassuring living environment.

Recently, vehicle thefts have seen an upward trend across the United States, and Spencer ranks among the cities with the highest vehicle theft rates in the country. Last year, there were 14 vehicle thefts, amounting to 421 stolen vehicles per 100,000 residents. This places Spencer within the worst 10% of all cities, indicating that 90% of cities fare better in terms of vehicle theft rates. The likelihood of your vehicle being stolen stands at 1 in 238.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Spencer?

AreaVibes surveyed 8 local residents in Spencer to gauge the safety of the area. Based on the results, 63% of people answered that there was very little crime in Spencer and that they felt very comfortable walking alone at night. Another 38% 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 Spencer a Safe Place to Live?

To determine if Spencer 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. Spencer has a total crime rate that is 0% lower than the national average per 100,000 residents. This results in a total of 0.21 daily crimes (0.03 violent daily crimes and 0.18 daily property crimes) in Spencer.

Has Crime in Spencer 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 Spencer 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 Spencer has decreased by 10.5% year over year. Violent crime has decreased by 9.1% and property crime has decreased by 10.7%.

Potential Causes for Crime in Spencer

Regions characterized by high population density frequently encompass expansive urban hubs that offer diverse economic prospects. In such areas, income inequality can be exacerbated, creating pockets of poverty alongside affluence. Economic disparities within these regions may correlate with elevated property crimes and, in certain instances, violent crimes. Conversely, areas with low population density numbers generally exhibit reduced Spencer crime rates. Spencer registers a population density of 1043.9 people per square mile, in contrast to the national average of 90.6 people per square mile.

In Spencer, 76.1% 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.

Elevated rental costs can generate economic strain for both individuals and families, particularly those with restricted financial means. When a substantial proportion of one's income is allocated to housing costs, it often leaves limited resources for fulfilling other crucial necessities such as groceries, healthcare and education. This financial pressure can fuel desperation, potentially prompting individuals to resort to criminal actions, including theft or fraud, as a means of coping with their financial hardships. In Spencer, the average monthly rent stands at $889, while the national average is $949 per month.

Spencer crime map