| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Rocky Mount/100k people | North Carolina/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 2,573 | n/a (estimate) | 4,745 | 2,344 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 7 | n/a | 12.9 | 7.5 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 21 | n/a | 38.7 | 28.0 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 85 | n/a | 156.8 | 50.2 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 302 | n/a | 557.0 | 290.1 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 415 | n/a (estimate) | 765 | 376 | 359 |
| Burglary | 401 | n/a | 739.5 | 323.9 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 1,545 | n/a | 2,849.3 | 1,390.2 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 212 | n/a | 391.0 | 254.1 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 2,158 | n/a (estimate) | 3,980 | 1,968 | 1,760 |
The Rocky Mount crime rates are 123.9% 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 415 violent crimes in Rocky Mount (765 per 100,000 people), which is 113.1% higher than the national average and there were a total of 2158 property crimes (3980 per 100,000 residents) which is 126.1% higher than average.
In Rocky Mount, the crime rate stands at 4745 per 100,000 residents, surpassing the national average by 123.92%. This places the city among those with some of the highest total crime rates nationwide. However, it's important to recognize that this doesn't imply that the entire city is unsafe. As with any urban area, there are neighborhoods in Rocky Mount that exhibit varying levels of safety, emphasizing the need for localized crime prevention efforts and community involvement to create a safe environment across the entire city.
Rocky Mount ranks among the bottom 10% of all U.S. cities reporting violent crime, earning its reputation as one of the nation's most dangerous areas. With a violent crime rate of 765 per 100,000 people, Rocky Mount is considered one of the most unsafe cities in America. This statistic translates to a 1 in 131 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime in Rocky Mount, underscoring the need for increased safety measures and community engagement to improve the city's security.
While murder rates in the United States have shown a consistent decline since 1990, recent years have witnessed an increase. Unfortunately, Rocky Mount ranks among the cities with the highest murder rates in the nation, when compared to all reporting cities in the U.S. In Rocky Mount, there were a total of 7 murders, translating to 13 murders per 100,000 residents. This alarming statistic underscores the need for heightened attention to community safety and crime prevention efforts in the area.
Rocky Mount faces some of the nation's most elevated property crime rates, recording 3980 incidents per 100,000 people. This places the city among the worst 10% of all U.S. cities that reported crime. Regrettably, the likelihood of falling victim to property crime in Rocky Mount stands at 1 in 26, significantly surpassing the national average. These statistics underscore the imperative need for bolstered community safety measures to mitigate property crimes and enhance the well-being of its residents.
What do the local residents think about crime in Rocky Mount? Well, based on a recent survey of 99 people (conducted by AreaVibes), 12% of Rocky Mount residents said that there was virtually no crime and that they felt safe walking at night. Another 88% of respondents said that there was too much crime in the area and they did not feel safe walking alone at night.
Is Rocky Mount 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, Rocky Mount has a crime rate that is higher than the national average by 124%. Breaking this down on a daily basis, it translates to 7.05 daily incidents, encompassing 1.14 violent crimes and 5.91 property crimes. Evaluating these statistics can aid in forming a more informed perspective on the safety of Rocky Mount as a potential place to call home.
Year-over-year crime data allows residents and potential residents to assess the crime in Rocky Mount. A decrease in crime rates may indicate improving safety, while an increase could raise concerns. The year-over-year crime rate in Rocky Mount has increased by 41.7%. Violent crimes have decreased by 17.5%, while property crimes have increased by 64.4%. 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.
In Rocky Mount, the poverty rate currently stands at 19.7%, which contrasts with the national average of 15.1%. It's essential to recognize that the economic status of a city's inhabitants could be a pivotal factor influencing crime stats. Communities grappling with high poverty rates and income inequality are often susceptible to elevated crime levels, as some individuals may turn to unlawful activities to fulfill their essential needs. While lower poverty rates could lead to a reduction in Rocky Mount crime rates.
In Rocky Mount, 78.3% 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.
Law enforcement and community policing efforts can play a pivotal role in shaping crime rates. Establishing a robust and cooperative partnership between the police and the community can act as a deterrent to criminal behavior and enhance overall safety. In Rocky Mount, the ratio of police officers and civilians per 1,000 residents differs from the national average, with 3.24 officers and civilians per 1,000 residents compared to 3.25 nationally. Effective law enforcement often hinges on community policing strategies that prioritize the cultivation of trust and collaboration between law enforcement and the community. It's not solely about the quantity of officers but also the quality of their engagement with the community.
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 | Rocky Mount | North Carolina | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 188 | 14,511 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 3.2 | 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 |
| Red Oak, NC | 3,517 | 93 | 485 | 577 |
| Pinetops, NC | 1,443 | 177 | 924 | 1,101 |
| Elm City, NC | 1,767 | 184 | 964 | 1,149 |
| Princeville, NC | 2,087 | 219 | 1,145 | 1,364 |
| Sharpsburg, NC | 1,454 | 513 | 1,254 | 1,766 |
| Nashville, NC | 5,715 | 304 | 1,589 | 1,892 |
| Dortches, NC | 1,002 | 308 | 1,612 | 1,920 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | 56,346 | 765 | 3,980 | 4,745 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Port Arthur, TX | 56,362 | 718 | 1,540 | 2,258 |
| Gilroy, CA | 56,371 | 461 | 2,163 | 2,625 |
| Lenexa, KS | 56,388 | 183 | 1,347 | 1,530 |
| West Haven, CT | 56,258 | 104 | 1,238 | 1,343 |
| Bel Air South, MD | 56,444 | 404 | 1,973 | 2,377 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | 56,346 | 765 | 3,980 | 4,745 |
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