| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Cary/100k people | North Carolina/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 2,524 | n/a (estimate) | 1,388 | 2,344 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 3 | n/a | 1.7 | 7.5 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 12 | n/a | 6.6 | 28.0 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 23 | n/a | 12.7 | 50.2 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 91 | n/a | 50.1 | 290.1 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 129 | n/a (estimate) | 71 | 376 | 359 |
| Burglary | 161 | n/a | 88.6 | 323.9 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 2,019 | n/a | 1,110.6 | 1,390.2 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 215 | n/a | 118.3 | 254.1 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 2,395 | n/a (estimate) | 1,317 | 1,968 | 1,760 |
When we analyze the latest crime report, the Cary crime rate is 34.5% 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 Cary, there were 129 reported violent crimes, equivalent to 71 per 100,000 individuals, 80.2% lower than the national average. Additionally, Cary recorded 2395 property crimes, amounting to 1317 per 100,000 residents, 25.2% lower than the U.S. average.
With only 71 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.
AreaVibes has conducted polls asking local residents if they feel safe living in Cary. Based on the results of the surveys (88 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? While the answer may not be straightforward due to variations in safety levels across the city, gaining an understanding of the overall crime rate can prove to be advantageous. In general, Cary has a crime rate that is lower than the national average by 34%. Breaking this down on a daily basis, it translates to 6.92 daily incidents, encompassing 0.35 violent crimes and 6.56 property crimes. Evaluating these statistics can aid in forming a more informed perspective on the safety of Cary as a potential place to call home.
Year-over-year crime rates in Cary has increased by 37.2% 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 decreased by 0.8%, while property crime has increased by 40.1%. This analysis equips individuals with crucial information for making informed decisions about living 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.
Rising cost of living expenses, including increased housing costs, grocery, utility and healthcare expenditures, can induce financial strain on individuals and families, particularly those with limited financial resources. Such economic stress may propel individuals towards crime, 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 Cary, the cost of living is 23.16% higher than the national average, reflecting a more affordable economic environment that could contribute to a decrease in crime levels.
The impact of law enforcement and community policing efforts plays a crucial role in shaping crime rates in any city. A robust and cooperative bond between law enforcement and the community can serve as a deterrent to criminal activities, enhancing overall safety. In Cary, the ratio of police officers and civilians per 1,000 residents stands at 1.52, differing from the national average of 3.25. Effective law enforcement hinges not solely on officer numbers but also on the manner in which they interact and collaborate with the community. Building trust and cooperation are central tenets of community policing, amplifying its influence on crime prevention.
Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.
| Item | Cary | North Carolina | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 215 | 14,511 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 1.5 | 4.8 | 3.3 |
| State | Total offenders | North Carolina /100K | National /100K |
| North Carolina | 26,293 | 320 | 266 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Fearrington Village, NC | 2,787 | 59 | 309 | 368 |
| Fuquay-Varina, NC | 29,773 | 70 | 580 | 649 |
| Holly Springs, NC | 37,538 | 162 | 850 | 1,013 |
| Apex, NC | 57,037 | 173 | 905 | 1,078 |
| Morrisville, NC | 28,305 | 99 | 2,434 | 2,533 |
| Chapel Hill, NC | 64,145 | 172 | 2,515 | 2,687 |
| Moncure, NC | 823 | 468 | 2,451 | 2,919 |
| Cary, NC | 173,346 | 71 | 1,317 | 1,388 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Springfield, MO | 173,433 | 1,178 | 4,185 | 5,363 |
| Corona, CA | 173,134 | 249 | 1,724 | 1,973 |
| Fort Collins, CO | 172,375 | 273 | 2,155 | 2,428 |
| Eugene, OR | 176,249 | 318 | 3,256 | 3,574 |
| Garden Grove, CA | 176,551 | 277 | 1,759 | 2,035 |
| Cary, NC | 173,346 | 71 | 1,317 | 1,388 |
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