A+
49%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
78%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
43%
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 peopleCary/100k peopleNorth Carolina/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime2,117n/a (estimate)1,1852,4692,324
Murder0n/a0.08.16.3
Rape12n/a6.730.540.0
Robbery29n/a16.254.966.1
Assault101n/a56.6311.6268.2
Violent crime142n/a (estimate)80405370
Burglary300n/a168.0370.8269.8
Theft1,534n/a858.91,494.01,401.9
Vehicle theft141n/a78.9199.3282.7
Property crime1,975n/a (estimate)1,1062,0641,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Cary, NC

Looking at the most recent crime report, the crime rate in Cary is 49% lower than the national average. These crimes fall into two primary categories: violent and property. Violent crimes encompass murder, rape, robbery and assault, while property crimes involve theft, vehicle theft and burglary. In Cary, there were 142 reported violent crimes, equivalent to 80 per 100,000 individuals, 78.5% lower than the national average. Additionally, there were 1975 property crimes, amounting to 1106 per 100,000 residents, 43.4% lower than the U.S. average.

With only 80 incidents per 100,000 people, Cary boasts an exceptionally low rate of violent crimes, positioning it as one of the safest cities in the United States. Given these low violent crime rates, Cary has become an appealing destination for individuals in search of a secure and welcoming place to establish their new home.

In the most recently reported crime year, Cary registered zero reported homicides. This statistic not only designates the area as an exemplar of security but also emanates a profound sense of safety within its community. A minimal incidence of severe violent crime not only fosters a strong sense of well-being among residents but also sets a commendable standard for other regions aiming to cultivate similarly safe surroundings.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Cary?

AreaVibes has conducted polls asking local residents if they feel safe living in Cary. Based on the results of the surveys (78 responses), 82% of people felt that there was very little crime in Cary and felt safe walking alone at night. While 18% of people felt that it was not a safe place to live and did not feel safe walking alone at night.

Is Cary a Safe Place to Live?

Determining whether Cary 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, Cary has an overall crime rate that is 49% lower than the national average. When we take a look at crime on a daily basis, this translates into 5.8 daily occurrences, comprising 0.39 violent crimes and 5.41 property crimes. Scrutinizing these statistics provides a foundation for a more informed assessment of the suitability of Cary as a potential place to establish residency.

Has Crime in Cary Increased Since Last Year?

Year-over-year crime rates in Cary has increased by 15.1% in the last reported crime report. Comparing crime rates from one year to another offers some insight into whether or not Cary is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live. Crime rates are categorized by violent and property crime. Year-over-year violent crime has increased by 9.2%, while property crime has increased by 15.5%. This analysis equips individuals with crucial information for making informed decisions about living in Cary.

Potential Causes for Crime in Cary

The level of education within a community can impact crime rates. Higher educational attainment often correlates with lower crime rates, as it provides individuals with better job opportunities and alternatives to criminal behavior. While lower educational achievement rates tend to lead to higher crime rates. In Cary, 94.4% of people have completed high school, while 83% of people have completed high school nationally.

In cities grappling with housing affordability challenges, crime can emerge as a prominent issue. Certain individuals and families may find themselves needing to reside in cramped or subpar housing conditions, elevating stress levels and potentially fueling domestic conflicts and associated criminal incidents. Cary has a median home price of $376,600, deviating from the national average of $184,700. Large disparities in housing costs can significantly impact the well-being of residents and the prevalence of crime within the community.

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 Cary, the average monthly rent stands at $1,312, while the national average is $949 per month.

Cary crime map



The Cary crime map provides a detailed overview of all crimes in Cary 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 Cary crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the Cary 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

  • Cary crime rates are 49% lower than the national average
  • Violent crimes in Cary are 78% lower than the national average
  • In Cary you have a 1 in 85 chance of becoming a victim of crime
  • Cary is safer than 73% of the cities in the United States
  • Year over year crime in Cary has increased by 14%

Cary, NC Crime Quiz

     

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        Daily Crime In Cary (per 100,000 people)

        The number of daily crimes per 100,000 residents in Cary, North Carolina is displayed in the graph above. As you can see, the daily crimes for Cary are 2.08 times less than the North Carolina average and 1.96 times less than the national level. Daily violent crimes in Cary are 5.10 times less than than North Carolina and 4.65 times less than the national mean. While daily property crimes in Cary are 1.87 times less than than North Carolina and 1.77 times less than the national average.

        How Safe is Cary (higher is better)

        How safe is Cary, North Carolina compared to other cities in North Carolina and the rest of the cities across the United States? The graphs above show that Cary is safer than 89% of the cities in North Carolina and 73% of the cities in the United States. These results are calculated by analyzing all cities in North Carolina and across the US as a whole and determining how many areas have a lower crime rate than Cary. Overall, Cary is ranked above average compared to all other cities across the United States.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Cary

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Cary is 1 in 1258
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Cary is 1 in 91
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Cary is 1 in 85
        Interested in knowing the odds that you will be a crime victim in Cary? In Cary, you have a 1 in 1258 chance of falling victim to a violent crime, such as rape, robbery, assault, or even murder. In terms of property crime, your chances of being a victim are 1 in 91. These crimes include theft, vehicle theft, and burglary. Your overall chance of being a victim of crime in Cary, NC is 1 in 85.

        Year Over Year Crime In Cary (per 100,000 people)

        The year over year change in crime per 100,000 people helps to understand whether crime in Cary, NC is on the rise or declining. The violent crime rate in Cary has increased by 10%, while the property crime rate in Cary has increased by 15% year over year. Summing up the numbers, Cary has increased by 14% with regards to total crimes year over year.

        Cary police department

        Item Cary North Carolina National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)21514,511558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents1.54.83.3
        There are a total of 215 Cary police officers. This results in 1.5 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 68.1% less than the North Carolina average and 53.1% less 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
        Fearrington Village, NC2,69264324387
        Fuquay-Varina, NC29,11069850920
        Holly Springs, NC36,595661,0041,070
        Apex, NC55,220551,1441,198
        Chapel Hill, NC61,9121851,9892,174
        Morrisville, NC27,5821202,1442,264
        Moncure, NC7984422,2542,696
        Cary, NC169,177801,1061,185

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Corona, CA168,1122162,4032,619
        Eugene, OR170,4573773,4153,792
        Springfield, MO167,6011,4184,9096,327
        Salem, OR171,8064823,6214,103
        Pembroke Pines, FL171,9792801,6951,975
        Cary, NC169,177801,1061,185
        Source: The Cary, 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.