| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Hickory/100k people | North Carolina/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 1,444 | n/a (estimate) | 3,232 | 2,344 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 1 | n/a | 2.2 | 7.5 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 11 | n/a | 24.6 | 28.0 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 25 | n/a | 56.0 | 50.2 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 145 | n/a | 324.5 | 290.1 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 182 | n/a (estimate) | 407 | 376 | 359 |
| Burglary | 183 | n/a | 409.6 | 323.9 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 961 | n/a | 2,150.8 | 1,390.2 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 118 | n/a | 264.1 | 254.1 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 1,262 | n/a (estimate) | 2,824 | 1,968 | 1,760 |
Looking at the most recent crime report, the crime rate in Hickory is 52.5% higher 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 Hickory, there were 182 reported violent crimes, equivalent to 407 per 100,000 individuals, 13.4% higher than the national average. Additionally, there were 1262 property crimes, amounting to 2824 per 100,000 residents, 60.5% higher than the U.S. average.
The violent crime rate per 100,000 people in Hickory is very close to the national average of all cities that reported crime. Hickory reported 407 violent crimes, while the average of all cities was 359.
AreaVibes has conducted polls asking local residents if they feel safe living in Hickory. Based on the results of the surveys (44 responses), 48% of people felt that there was very little crime in Hickory and felt safe walking alone at night. While 52% of people felt that it was not a safe place to live and did not feel safe walking alone at night.
To get a feel for the safety of living in Hickory, it's essential to analyze both the overall crime rate and the daily incident count. Hickory presents a total crime rate that is 53% higher than the national average per 100,000 residents. Consequently, Hickory experiences an average of 3.96 daily crimes, comprising 0.5 violent incidents and 3.46 property-related offenses. This evaluation offers a comprehensive understanding of the safety landscape, aiding individuals in making informed decisions when considering relocation.
Examining year-over-year crime data provides insights into short-term trends with regards to the crime activity in Hickory. This analysis involves comparing crime rates from one year to the next, enabling the identification of patterns and fluctuations in crime. Such information proves invaluable to residents seeking to make well-informed decisions about their choice of residence. In the most recent year, compared to the previous one, total crime in Hickory has decreased by 31.6%. Specifically, violent crime has decreased by 27.2%, while property crime has decreased by 32.2%. This data empowers individuals with a clearer understanding of the evolving safety landscape in Hickory.
The economic prosperity of a city's inhabitants exerts substantial influence on crime stats. Elevated poverty rates and income inequality can precipitate heightened criminal activity, as individuals may turn to illicit means to fulfill their fundamental requirements. While lower poverty rates could lead to lower Hickory crime rates. In Hickory, the poverty rate stands at 16.9%, diverging from the national average of 15.1%.
Regions characterized by high population density frequently encompass expansive urban hubs that offer diverse economic prospects. In such areas, income inequality can be exacerbated, creating pockets of poverty alongside affluence. Economic disparities within these regions may correlate with elevated property crimes and, in certain instances, violent crimes. Conversely, areas with low population density numbers generally exhibit reduced Hickory crime rates. Hickory registers a population density of 1434.9 people per square mile, in contrast to the national average of 90.6 people per square mile.
In Hickory, the cost of living is 0.05% higher than the national average. A substantial cost of living can burden residents, particularly those with constrained financial means. When individuals contend with steep housing expenses, grocery bills, utility costs, healthcare and essential needs that strain their budgets, they may turn to criminal activities, such as theft or fraud, as a means of financial survival. Conversely, cities characterized by a more affordable cost of living may alleviate economic pressures, which could potentially lead to decreased crime rates.
| Item | Hickory | North Carolina | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 142 | 14,511 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 3.5 | 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 |
| Northlakes, NC | 1,331 | 67 | 348 | 415 |
| Bethlehem, NC | 4,098 | 80 | 420 | 500 |
| Claremont, NC | 1,971 | 124 | 650 | 774 |
| Hildebran, NC | 1,687 | 137 | 717 | 854 |
| Rutherford College, NC | 1,129 | 140 | 731 | 871 |
| Cedar Rock, NC | 290 | 152 | 795 | 947 |
| Connelly Springs, NC | 2,346 | 166 | 867 | 1,033 |
| Hickory, NC | 42,059 | 407 | 2,824 | 3,232 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Hutchinson, KS | 42,073 | 367 | 2,230 | 2,597 |
| Shelton, CT | 42,033 | 42 | 709 | 751 |
| Lancaster, OH | 41,994 | 405 | 2,125 | 2,531 |
| Wilkes-Barre, PA | 41,994 | 432 | 1,557 | 1,989 |
| Weslaco, TX | 42,136 | 467 | 3,449 | 3,916 |
| Hickory, NC | 42,059 | 407 | 2,824 | 3,232 |
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