| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Gastonia/100k people | North Carolina/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 3,714 | n/a (estimate) | 4,364 | 2,344 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 4 | n/a | 4.7 | 7.5 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 32 | n/a | 37.6 | 28.0 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 105 | n/a | 123.4 | 50.2 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 582 | n/a | 683.8 | 290.1 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 723 | n/a (estimate) | 849 | 376 | 359 |
| Burglary | 436 | n/a | 512.3 | 323.9 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 2,202 | n/a | 2,587.2 | 1,390.2 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 353 | n/a | 414.7 | 254.1 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 2,991 | n/a (estimate) | 3,514 | 1,968 | 1,760 |
Crime is typically categorized into two main types: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes encompass offenses such as murder, rape, robbery, and assault, while property crimes include burglary, theft, and vehicle theft. Based on the most recent report, the Gastonia crime rate is higher than the national average by 105.9%. Specifically, there were 723 violent crimes in Gastonia, equivalent to 849 per 100,000 individuals, higher than the national average by 136.6%. Furthermore, Gastonia recorded 2991 property crimes, amounting to 3514 per 100,000 residents, which was higher than the average by 99.7%.
Gastonia has a crime rate of 4364 per 100,000 people, which surpasses the national average by 105.91%, leading to one of the highest total crime rates in the United States. Addressing this issue is vital for improving overall safety and desirability of Gastonia. Efforts to reduce crime through community engagement, effective law enforcement, and collaborative initiatives are essential to create a more secure and appealing environment for residents and prospective newcomers alike.
Gastonia has gained notoriety as one of the most dangerous cities in the United States, given its alarming violent crime rate of 849 crimes per 100,000 people. In fact, Gastonia falls within the lowest 10% among cities reporting violent crimes last year, resulting in a concerning 1 in 118 likelihood of experiencing a violent crime. It's important to note that safety levels may vary across different areas within the city, and this statistic doesn't necessarily reflect the entire city's situation regarding violent crime.
With a property crime rate of 3514 crimes per 100,000 people, Gastonia unfortunately has the distinction of being among the bottom 10% of all U.S. cities reporting crime. The likelihood of falling victim to property crime in Gastonia is alarmingly high, estimated at 1 in 29, significantly surpassing the national average. This data emphasizes the city's pressing need for concerted efforts to address and reduce property crime, ensuring a safer environment for its residents.
Recently, vehicle thefts have seen an upward trend across the United States, and Gastonia ranks among the cities with the highest vehicle theft rates in the country. Last year, there were 353 vehicle thefts, amounting to 415 stolen vehicles per 100,000 residents. This places Gastonia 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 242.
AreaVibes surveyed 95 local residents in Gastonia to gauge the safety of the area. Based on the results, 40% of people answered that there was very little crime in Gastonia and that they felt very comfortable walking alone at night. Another 60% 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 Gastonia 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, Gastonia has a crime rate that is higher than the national average by 106%. Breaking this down on a daily basis, it translates to 10.18 daily incidents, encompassing 1.98 violent crimes and 8.19 property crimes. Evaluating these statistics can aid in forming a more informed perspective on the safety of Gastonia as a potential place to call home.
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 Gastonia 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 Gastonia has decreased by 2.4% year over year. Violent crime has increased by 1.7% and property crime has decreased by 3.4%.
In Gastonia, 78.6% 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.
In Gastonia, the median home price stands at $290,998, diverging from the national average of $326,622. Elevated housing costs often induce financial strain among residents. When individuals grapple with the challenges of affording housing, they may find themselves compelled to resort to criminal activities as a means of addressing their financial hardships, including acts like theft or fraud. This predicament is particularly pronounced in areas where housing affordability poses a persistent issue, giving rise to heightened concerns regarding crime. In such instances, some individuals and families may find themselves constrained to reside in cramped or subpar housing conditions, exacerbating stress levels and potentially fostering domestic disputes and associated criminal incidents.
Gastonia has an average rental rate of $1,338 per month, compared to the national average of $1,444. In areas with high rental costs, some individuals and families may be forced to live in overcrowded or substandard housing conditions. Overcrowding can lead to increased stress and tension, which may contribute to domestic disputes and related property or violent crimes. Addressing affordable housing and economic mobility can be important strategies for reducing crime in such areas.
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| Item | Gastonia | North Carolina | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 201 | 14,511 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 2.8 | 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 |
| Tega Cay, SC | 11,216 | 28 | 297 | 325 |
| McAdenville, NC | 1,080 | 53 | 276 | 329 |
| Lowesville, NC | 3,270 | 72 | 375 | 446 |
| Lake Wylie, SC | 14,454 | 166 | 749 | 915 |
| Ranlo, NC | 3,780 | 318 | 764 | 1,082 |
| Clover, SC | 6,497 | 144 | 984 | 1,128 |
| Stanley, NC | 3,846 | 183 | 959 | 1,142 |
| Gastonia, NC | 79,485 | 849 | 3,514 | 4,364 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Upland, CA | 79,505 | 370 | 1,793 | 2,163 |
| Bloomington, IL | 79,438 | 314 | 1,862 | 2,176 |
| Cedar Park, TX | 79,540 | 96 | 1,198 | 1,294 |
| Lake Charles, LA | 79,542 | 613 | 2,470 | 3,083 |
| Rapid City, SD | 79,549 | 719 | 3,792 | 4,511 |
| Gastonia, NC | 79,485 | 849 | 3,514 | 4,364 |
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