| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Chapel Hill/100k people | North Carolina/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 1,717 | n/a (estimate) | 2,687 | 2,344 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 1 | n/a | 1.6 | 7.5 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 8 | n/a | 12.5 | 28.0 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 29 | n/a | 45.4 | 50.2 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 72 | n/a | 112.7 | 290.1 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 110 | n/a (estimate) | 172 | 376 | 359 |
| Burglary | 217 | n/a | 339.6 | 323.9 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 1,271 | n/a | 1,988.9 | 1,390.2 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 119 | n/a | 186.2 | 254.1 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 1,607 | n/a (estimate) | 2,515 | 1,968 | 1,760 |
The Chapel Hill crime rates are 26.8% 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 110 violent crimes in Chapel Hill (172 per 100,000 people), which is 52.1% lower than the national average and there were a total of 1607 property crimes (2515 per 100,000 residents) which is 42.9% higher than average.
What is the prevailing sentiment among Chapel Hill residents regarding the state of crime? A comprehensive survey conducted by AreaVibes, involving 47 respondents, sheds light on this matter. The results were as follows: 66% of Chapel Hill residents expressed a notable sense of security, asserting that crime was virtually non-existent in their community, and they felt at ease strolling the streets after dark. While, 34% of those surveyed held a contrasting viewpoint, perceiving a higher incidence of crime, leading them to feel apprehensive about walking alone at night.
Is Chapel Hill 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, Chapel Hill has a crime rate that is higher than the national average by 27%. Breaking this down on a daily basis, it translates to 4.7 daily incidents, encompassing 0.3 violent crimes and 4.4 property crimes. Evaluating these statistics can aid in forming a more informed perspective on the safety of Chapel Hill as a potential place to call home.
Year-over-year crime data allows residents and potential residents to assess the crime in Chapel Hill. A decrease in crime rates may indicate improving safety, while an increase could raise concerns. The year-over-year crime rate in Chapel Hill has increased by 27.5%. Violent crimes have didn't change by 0%, while property crimes have increased by 29.9%. By comparing crime rates from one year to the next, authorities and communities can identify trends and patterns in criminal activity. This helps in understanding whether crime is increasing, decreasing, or remaining stable over time.
Chapel Hill has a poverty rate of 18.5, while the national average is 15.1. In the past, there has been a direct correlation between high or low poverty rates and high or low crime stats. Elevated poverty levels and income disparities can contribute to heightened criminal activity, as individuals may resort to unlawful means to address their fundamental necessities. While lower poverty levels have led to a reduction in typical crime levels compared to other areas.
In areas where employment options are limited or where a significant proportion of jobs offer meager wages, the likelihood of heightened unemployment and homelessness increases. Regions facing challenges related to unemployment or inadequate income may become more vulnerable to a surge in crime stemming from economic instability. While low unemployment rates tend to lead to reduced crime in most areas. Chapel Hill currently has an unemployment rate of 3.1%, contrasting with the national average of 4.9%. This could be one of many factors that could contribute to a higher or lower crime rate.
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 Chapel Hill, the cost of living is 33.32% higher than the national average, reflecting a more affordable economic environment that could contribute to a decrease in crime levels.
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 | Chapel Hill | North Carolina | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 136 | 14,511 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 2.3 | 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 |
| Apex, NC | 57,037 | 173 | 905 | 1,078 |
| Woodlawn, NC | 870 | 186 | 973 | 1,159 |
| Cary, NC | 173,346 | 71 | 1,317 | 1,388 |
| Carrboro, NC | 22,056 | 181 | 1,929 | 2,110 |
| Efland, NC | 823 | 364 | 1,904 | 2,268 |
| Morrisville, NC | 28,305 | 99 | 2,434 | 2,533 |
| Chapel Hill, NC | 64,145 | 172 | 2,515 | 2,687 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| North Miami, FL | 64,069 | 278 | 1,476 | 1,753 |
| Hamilton, OH | 64,032 | 313 | 2,057 | 2,370 |
| Grand Junction, CO | 64,338 | 546 | 3,170 | 3,716 |
| Idaho Falls, ID | 64,374 | 357 | 1,209 | 1,566 |
| Pico Rivera, CA | 63,899 | 468 | 2,017 | 2,485 |
| Chapel Hill, NC | 64,145 | 172 | 2,515 | 2,687 |
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