Safest cities in North Carolina

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Known as the 'Tar Heel State,' North Carolina is celebrated for its diverse landscapes, vibrant cities, and rich cultural heritage. Located in the southeastern United States, North Carolina offers a variety of terrains, from the Appalachian Mountains in the west to the Atlantic Ocean beaches in the east. The state's economy is robust, driven by industries such as technology, finance, agriculture, and manufacturing. Charlotte, the state's largest city, is a major financial hub, while Raleigh, the state capital, is part of the Research Triangle, known for its high-tech research and development. North Carolina is also home to prestigious universities, beautiful parks, and a thriving arts scene, contributing to its dynamic cultural landscape.

Low crime rates are essential for maintaining a high quality of life, making the safest cities in North Carolina highly desirable. Safety fosters a sense of community and stability, allowing residents to thrive in a secure environment. Factors contributing to the safety of North Carolina's cities include strong law enforcement, active community policing, and engaged local governments. The safest cities are ranked based on total crime per 100,000 people, ensuring a transparent and reliable measure of safety. This emphasis on security allows residents to enjoy North Carolina's natural beauty, cultural richness, and economic opportunities without the overshadowing concern of crime, making it an attractive place to live and work.

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Pinehurst Population: 16,382 337 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 59 Property Crime / 100k: 278 chance of being a victim: 1 in 297

Pinehurst proudly holds the honor of being the safest city in North Carolina. With only 337 crimes per 100,000 people, Pinehurst has a crime rate that is 81% lower than the North Carolina average. This equates to an average of 0.17 crimes per day and a 1 in 297 chance of becoming a victim of a crime. The city's well-funded police department, active neighborhood watch programs, and community engagement initiatives contribute significantly to its low crime rates, making it an ideal place for families and retirees.

Elon Population: 11,941 388 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 78 Property Crime / 100k: 311 chance of being a victim: 1 in 257

Known for its tight-knight community and safe environment, Elon comes in at #2 on our list of the safest cities in North Carolina with a crime rate of 388 crimes per 100,000 people. When you dig deeper into the numbers, this translates to: 69 counts of burglary, 207 counts of theft, 35 counts of vehicle theft, 52 counts of assault, 0 counts of robbery, 26 counts of rape and 0 counts of homicide. The commitment to safety in Elon, makes it one of the safest and most livable areas in the state.

Rolesville Population: 8,002 471 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 34 Property Crime / 100k: 438 chance of being a victim: 1 in 212

With a population of 8,002 and a total crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, Rolesville is the 3rd safest city in North Carolina. Exhibiting a total crime rate that is 88% lower than the North Carolina average, the commitment to safety is evident in its multifaceted crime prevention strategies. The local government collaborates closely with residents through regular community meetings and feedback sessions to address safety concerns. The end result, is an incredibly safe place to live.

Waxhaw Population: 16,165 481 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 59 Property Crime / 100k: 423 chance of being a victim: 1 in 208

With many parks and recreational activities readily available, Waxhaw is a growing community where residents can enjoy the outdoors. Residents also feel safe, knowing that the overall crime rate per 100,000 people is 481, 76% lower than the North Carolina average. This amounts to 0.32 crimes per day and a 1 in 208 chance of becoming a victim of a crime. Strong community partnerships between local businesses, schools, and law enforcement further enhance the city’s security. These combined efforts make Waxhaw a highly desirable and safe place to call home.

Davidson Population: 12,920 488 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 42 Property Crime / 100k: 447 chance of being a victim: 1 in 205

Known for its friendly neighborhoods and proactive safety measures, Davidson consistently ranks high in safety. In Davidson, the focus on community policing ensures that officers are integrated into the community, building strong relationships with residents. Crime prevention education, offered through schools and local organizations, empowers residents to take an active role in maintaining their safety. With everything working asynchronously, the total crime rate comes in at 488, which is 86% lower than the state average.

Fuquay-Varina Population: 29,110 649 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 70 Property Crime / 100k: 580 chance of being a victim: 1 in 154

Fuquay-Varina has lots to offer its residents, including safety as it comes in at #6 on our list of the safest cities in North Carolina. The total crime rate from the year that it was last reported was 649 crimes per 100,000 people, 53% lower than the North Carolina average. Breaking down each category of crime, it comes out to: 63 reports of burglary, 485 reports of theft, 32 reports of vehicle theft, 46 reports of assault, 11 reports of robbery, 13 reports of rape and 0 reports of homicide.

Stallings Population: 15,781 723 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 51 Property Crime / 100k: 672 chance of being a victim: 1 in 138

Stallings ranks as the seventh safest city in North Carolina and offers a peaceful retreat with minimal crime. With a 1 in 138 chance of becoming a victim of a crime and 0.35 crimes per day (per 100,000 people), the area has a safety record that speaks for itself. Active involvement from its residents, such as neighborhood patrols and community safety workshops, fosters a strong sense of community and vigilance. Stallings’s commitment to safety makes it one of the safest places in North Carolina.

Winterville Population: 10,062 805 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 82 Property Crime / 100k: 723 chance of being a victim: 1 in 124

Recognized for sprawling open spaces, outdoor recreational opportunities, and a growing economy, Winterville is the 8th safest city in North Carolina. Continuously ranking as one of the safest cities in the state, the crime rate came in at 89% lower than the North Carolina average, reporting a total of 805 crimes per 100,000 people. The city places a strong emphasis on public safety through various initiatives that promote collaboration between residents and local authorities. Regular community safety events and lots of outdoor spaces, coupled with an accessible and responsive police force, ensure that residents feel safe and supported.

Mint Hill Population: 27,258 934 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 99 Property Crime / 100k: 835 chance of being a victim: 1 in 107

Many safe cities implement comprehensive crime prevention programs that include educational initiatives, youth engagement activities, and public awareness campaigns. Mint Hill is a great example of such a city and continually ranks as one of the safest communities in North Carolina, based on the annual review of the FBI uniform crime report. Statistically speaking, there were a total of 934 crimes per 100,000 residents, which is 72% lower than the state average.

Angier Population: 5,748 987 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 152 Property Crime / 100k: 835 chance of being a victim: 1 in 101

Completing the list as the 10th safest city in North Carolina, is Angier. With a low rate of crime that included 139 burglaries, 633 thefts, 63 vehicle thefts, 127 assaults, 0 robberies, 25 rapes and 0 homicides, the overall crime rate was 92% lower than the state average. Cities with engaged citizens and responsive government bodies are more likely to implement effective policies and practices that promote safety and address residents’ concerns.

Full list of the safest cities in North Carolina

Rank	Location	Population	Violent Crimes /100k	Property Crimes /100k	Total Crimes /100k
1	Pinehurst	16,382	59	278	337
2	Elon	11,941	78	311	388
3	Rolesville	8,002	34	438	471
4	Waxhaw	16,165	59	423	481
5	Davidson	12,920	42	447	488
6	Fuquay-Varina	29,110	70	580	649
7	Stallings	15,781	51	672	723
8	Winterville	10,062	82	723	805
9	Mint Hill	27,258	99	835	934
10	Angier	5,748	152	835	987
11	Boone	19,466	90	909	999
12	Leland	21,903	96	983	1,080
13	Gibsonville	7,232	177	925	1,102
14	Cornelius	29,836	104	1,036	1,140
15	Wendell	7,962	135	1,075	1,210
16	Archdale	11,738	107	1,120	1,227
17	Black Mountain	8,177	58	1,179	1,238
18	Woodfin	6,689	174	1,083	1,258
19	Concord	94,147	159	1,105	1,264
20	King	6,980	78	1,198	1,276
21	Cary	169,177	71	1,317	1,388
22	Fletcher	8,287	73	1,338	1,411
23	Clayton	23,179	168	1,283	1,451
24	Wake Forest	44,068	147	1,305	1,452
25	Huntersville	57,288	143	1,364	1,507
26	Butner	7,779	245	1,312	1,557
27	Kill Devil Hills	7,249	217	1,497	1,714
28	Boiling Spring Lakes	6,156	290	1,434	1,724
29	Ayden	5,138	254	1,483	1,736
30	Mount Holly	15,947	108	1,647	1,754
31	Havelock	19,927	205	1,575	1,780
32	Bessemer City	5,536	457	1,495	1,953
33	Kannapolis	49,788	168	1,785	1,953
34	New Bern	29,985	363	1,616	1,979
35	Carrboro	21,254	181	1,929	2,110
36	Carolina Beach	6,324	333	1,851	2,183
37	Graham	15,168	346	1,880	2,227
38	Newton	13,106	401	1,907	2,307
39	Mooresville	38,498	217	2,152	2,369
40	Southern Pines	14,347	369	2,030	2,399
41	Lincolnton	11,099	361	2,124	2,484
42	Morrisville	27,582	99	2,434	2,533
43	Thomasville	26,834	331	2,296	2,627
44	Siler City	8,159	479	2,149	2,628
45	Chapel Hill	61,912	172	2,515	2,687
46	Elizabeth City	17,725	341	2,387	2,728
47	Mount Airy	10,213	312	2,436	2,748
48	Zebulon	5,712	328	2,453	2,781
49	Erwin	5,104	436	2,348	2,785
50	Matthews	32,682	185	2,654	2,839

Methodology

The AreaVibes list of the safest cities in North Carolina is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reporting program (UCR Program) from their most recent release. To compile this list, we used violent crime (assualt, robbery, rape and murder) and property crime data (burglary, theft, vehicle theft) per 100,000 people and only included North Carolina cities with a population of 5,000 or more. Displaying crime rates based on a population of 100,000 allows for an equal comparison for each city.

Map of Crime by State

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The interactive map above is a powerful tool for discovering the safest cities in each state across the USA. By highlighting states with the lowest total crime rates, this map provides valuable insights into the factors contributing to these statistics. It showcases urban centers with thriving economies, regions boasting solid job markets, and areas with low unemployment, all of which correlate with reduced crime rates. By clicking on each state, you can dive deeper into information about their safest cities and explore detailed crime statistics that paint a clearer picture of safety across the nation.