| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Rockingham/100k people | North Carolina/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 391 | n/a (estimate) | 4,450 | 2,344 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 5 | n/a | 56.9 | 7.5 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 4 | n/a | 45.5 | 28.0 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 5 | n/a | 56.9 | 50.2 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 40 | n/a | 455.3 | 290.1 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 54 | n/a (estimate) | 615 | 376 | 359 |
| Burglary | 62 | n/a | 705.7 | 323.9 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 248 | n/a | 2,822.7 | 1,390.2 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 27 | n/a | 307.3 | 254.1 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 337 | n/a (estimate) | 3,836 | 1,968 | 1,760 |

Crime can be categorized into two primary types: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes encompass offenses such as murder, rape, robbery, and assault, whereas property crimes involve acts like burglary, theft, and vehicle theft. The overall crime rate in Rockingham is 110% higher than the national average. Specifically, there were 54 violent crimes reported in Rockingham, equivalent to 615 per 100,000 residents, which is higher than the national average by 71.2%. Additionally, Rockingham recorded 337 property crimes, amounting to 3836 per 100,000 people, higher than the national average by 117.9%.
Having a crime rate of 4450 per 100,000 residents, Rockingham experiences a crime rate that is 110% higher when compared to the national average, leading to one of the highest overall crime rates in the nation. It's important to clarify that this doesn't imply the entire city is unsafe. Like any area, Rockingham contains neighborhoods with varying safety levels and you can find areas that are notably safer than others, emphasizing the need for targeted crime prevention efforts and community engagement initiatives.
While murder rates in the United States have generally declined since 1990, recent years have seen an unfortunate uptick. Rockingham stands out with one of the nation's highest murder rates among cities reporting crime data. In Rockingham, a total of 5 murders were reported, equating to 57 murders per 100,000 residents. This statistic underscores the challenges facing the area in terms of severe violent crime and the importance of ongoing efforts to enhance safety and security within the community.
Rockingham has some of the highest property crime rates in the country with 3836 crimes per 100,000 people - this ranks in the bottom 10% of all American cities that reported crime. Your chance of being a victim of property crime in Rockingham is 1 in 27, which is far higher than the national average.
What do the local residents think about crime in Rockingham? Well, based on a recent survey of 22 people (conducted by AreaVibes), 50% of Rockingham residents said that there was virtually no crime and that they felt safe walking at night. Another 50% of respondents said that there was too much crime in the area and they did not feel safe walking alone at night.
To determine if Rockingham is a safe place to live, let's take a look at the overall crime rate of the area, as well as the number of daily crimes. Rockingham has a total crime rate that is 110% higher than the national average per 100,000 residents. This results in a total of 1.07 daily crimes (0.15 violent daily crimes and 0.92 daily property crimes) in Rockingham.
Examining year-over-year crime data provides insights into short-term trends with regards to the crime activity in Rockingham. 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 Rockingham has decreased by 45.5%. Specifically, violent crime has decreased by 40%, while property crime has decreased by 46.3%. This data empowers individuals with a clearer understanding of the evolving safety landscape in Rockingham.
In Rockingham, 79.6% of residents have successfully graduated from high school, whereas the national average stands at 83%. The educational makeup of any city 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 Rockingham, the cost of living is 12.24% lower 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.
High rental costs can limit economic mobility, making it difficult for individuals to save money, invest in education, or access better job opportunities. This can perpetuate a cycle of poverty and increase the risk of involvement in criminal activities. In summary, high rental costs can create economic challenges, overcrowding, and neighborhood dynamics that may increase the likelihood of certain types of crime, particularly property crimes. In Rockingham, the average rental rates are $844 per month, compared to the national average of $1,444.

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| Item | Rockingham | North Carolina | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 37 | 14,511 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 3.8 | 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 |
| Cordova, NC | 1,368 | 152 | 794 | 945 |
| Ellerbe, NC | 1,069 | 179 | 937 | 1,116 |
| Laurel Hill, NC | 1,155 | 196 | 1,025 | 1,221 |
| East Rockingham, NC | 3,424 | 268 | 1,403 | 1,671 |
| Hamlet, NC | 6,555 | 404 | 2,114 | 2,518 |
| Lilesville, NC | 669 | 458 | 2,396 | 2,853 |
| McFarlan, NC | 95 | 492 | 2,577 | 3,069 |
| Rockingham, NC | 8,949 | 615 | 3,836 | 4,450 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Fort Riley, KS | 8,950 | 327 | 1,459 | 1,786 |
| Franklin, NH | 8,953 | 91 | 1,261 | 1,352 |
| Folsom, PA | 8,954 | 164 | 958 | 1,122 |
| Brigantine, NJ | 8,944 | 106 | 753 | 859 |
| Sanatoga, PA | 8,958 | 188 | 1,096 | 1,284 |
| Rockingham, NC | 8,949 | 615 | 3,836 | 4,450 |