Winston-Salem, NC Crime Rates

An Overview of Crime Rates in Winston-Salem, NC

The Winston-Salem crime rates are 118.1% higher than the national average. There are two main categories of crime - violent crime and property crime. Violent crime consists of murder, rape, robbery and assault, while property crimes include burglary, theft and vehicle theft. There were a total of 2954 violent crimes in Winston-Salem (1176 per 100,000 people), which is 217.9% higher than the national average and there were a total of 9785 property crimes (3894 per 100,000 residents) which is 99.2% higher than average.

In Winston-Salem, the crime rate stands at 5069 per 100,000 residents, surpassing the national average by 118.11%. This places the city among those with some of the highest total crime rates nationwide. However, it's important to recognize that this doesn't imply that the entire city is unsafe. As with any urban area, there are neighborhoods in Winston-Salem that exhibit varying levels of safety, emphasizing the need for localized crime prevention efforts and community involvement to create a safe environment across the entire city.

Winston-Salem ranks among the most perilous cities in the United States, bearing a violent crime rate of 1176 per 100,000 people, positioning it within the lowest 10% of all U.S. cities reporting crime statistics. The odds of falling victim to violent crime in Winston-Salem stand at 1 in every 86 residents, emphasizing the pressing need for enhanced safety measures and community engagement to address this significant concern.

Despite a steady decline in murder rates in the United States since 1990, recent years have witnessed an unfortunate uptick. Winston-Salem stands out with one of the nation's highest murder rates, surpassing other cities that reported crime. In Winston-Salem, there were a total of 30 murders, translating to 12 murders per 100,000 people, underscoring the pressing need for continued efforts to address and reduce severe violent crime in the area.

Winston-Salem reports one of the nation's highest property crime rates, with 3894 incidents per 100,000 people, positioning it among the worst 10% of American cities reporting crime. This unfortunate statistic translates to a 1 in 26 chance of falling victim to property crime in Winston-Salem, significantly surpassing the national average. These figures underscore the city's challenges in combating property-related offenses, necessitating a concerted effort to enhance security and community safety.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Winston-Salem?

AreaVibes surveyed 143 local residents in Winston-Salem to gauge the safety of the area. Based on the results, 49% of people answered that there was very little crime in Winston-Salem and that they felt very comfortable walking alone at night. Another 51% 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 Winston-Salem a Safe Place to Live?

To determine if Winston-Salem 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. Winston-Salem has a total crime rate that is 118% higher than the national average per 100,000 residents. This results in a total of 34.9 daily crimes (8.09 violent daily crimes and 26.81 daily property crimes) in Winston-Salem.

Potential Causes for Crime in Winston-Salem

In Winston-Salem, 82.1% 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.

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 Winston-Salem, the cost of living is 5.64% lower than the national average, reflecting a more affordable economic environment that could contribute to a decrease in crime levels.

The median home price in Winston-Salem is $152,000, compared to the national average of $184,700. High housing costs can lead to financial stress for residents. When individuals struggle to make ends meet due to expensive housing, they may be more inclined to engage in criminal activities to address their financial difficulties, such as theft or fraud. Communities with stable housing environments tend to foster stronger social bonds and community engagement. This can lead to increased vigilance and cooperation among residents, which can deter criminal behavior.

Winston-Salem crime map