| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Wadesboro/100k people | North Carolina/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 461 | n/a (estimate) | 9,391 | 2,344 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 3 | n/a | 61.1 | 7.5 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 3 | n/a | 61.1 | 28.0 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 9 | n/a | 183.3 | 50.2 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 85 | n/a | 1,731.5 | 290.1 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 100 | n/a (estimate) | 2,037 | 376 | 359 |
| Burglary | 85 | n/a | 1,731.5 | 323.9 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 233 | n/a | 4,746.4 | 1,390.2 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 43 | n/a | 875.9 | 254.1 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 361 | n/a (estimate) | 7,354 | 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 Wadesboro is 343.1% higher than the national average. Specifically, there were 100 violent crimes reported in Wadesboro, equivalent to 2037 per 100,000 residents, which is higher than the national average by 467.3%. Additionally, Wadesboro recorded 361 property crimes, amounting to 7354 per 100,000 people, higher than the national average by 317.8%.
With a crime rate of 9391 per 100,000 residents, Wadesboro has a crime rate that is 343.13% higher than the national average. This results in one of the highest total crime rates in the entire country. This does not necessarily mean that the entire city is unsafe. As with any area, there are some pockets in Wadesboro that are much safer than others. A little research will go a long way in determining which areas could potentially offer a safer living environment.
Wadesboro has gained notoriety as one of the most dangerous cities in the United States, given its alarming violent crime rate of 2037 crimes per 100,000 people. In fact, Wadesboro falls within the lowest 10% among cities reporting violent crimes last year, resulting in a concerning 1 in 50 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.
Although the murder rates in America have decreased steadily since 1990, over the last few years there has been an uptick. Wadesboro has one of the highest murder rates in the country when compared to all other cities that reported crime in the U.S. There were a total of 3 murders in Wadesboro, which is 61 murders per 100,000 people.
With a property crime rate of 7354 crimes per 100,000 people, Wadesboro 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 Wadesboro is alarmingly high, estimated at 1 in 14, 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.
With a total of 43 vehicle thefts last year, Wadesboro has one of the most stolen cars in the country at 876 per 100,000 people. This lands Wadesboro in the bottom 10% of all cities that reported crime and the chance of any vehicle being stolen is one in 115.
AreaVibes has conducted polls asking local residents if they feel safe living in Wadesboro. Based on the results of the surveys (9 responses), 22% of people felt that there was very little crime in Wadesboro and felt safe walking alone at night. While 78% of people felt that it was not a safe place to live and did not feel safe walking alone at night.
Is Wadesboro 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, Wadesboro has a crime rate that is higher than the national average by 343%. Breaking this down on a daily basis, it translates to 1.26 daily incidents, encompassing 0.27 violent crimes and 0.99 property crimes. Evaluating these statistics can aid in forming a more informed perspective on the safety of Wadesboro as a potential place to call home.
Year-over-year crime rates in Wadesboro has increased by 11.4% in the last reported crime report. Comparing crime rates from one year to another offers some insight into whether or not Wadesboro is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live. Crime rates are categorized by violent and property crime. Year-over-year violent crime has decreased by 9.9%, while property crime has increased by 19.1%. This analysis equips individuals with crucial information for making informed decisions about living in Wadesboro.
Limited employment opportunities or a prevalence of low-wage jobs can result in higher rates of unemployment and underemployment. Regions where individuals grapple with joblessness or meager wages may exhibit greater vulnerability to an uptick in crime due to financial instability. While areas that have strong employment rates, often will see a reduction in overall crime. Wadesboro, for instance, reports an unemployment rate of 8.7%, which differs from the national average of 4.9%.
In Wadesboro, the cost of living is 12.28% 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.
Elevated rental costs can generate economic strain for both individuals and families, particularly those with restricted financial means. When a substantial proportion of one's income is allocated to housing costs, it often leaves limited resources for fulfilling other crucial necessities such as groceries, healthcare and education. This financial pressure can fuel desperation, potentially prompting individuals to resort to criminal actions, including theft or fraud, as a means of coping with their financial hardships. In Wadesboro, the average monthly rent stands at $1,206, while the national average is $1,444 per month.

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| Item | Wadesboro | North Carolina | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 31 | 14,511 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 5.3 | 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 |
| Polkton, NC | 2,755 | 202 | 1,059 | 1,261 |
| Ruby, SC | 314 | 454 | 2,045 | 2,499 |
| Lilesville, NC | 669 | 458 | 2,396 | 2,853 |
| Peachland, NC | 470 | 465 | 2,432 | 2,897 |
| McFarlan, NC | 95 | 492 | 2,577 | 3,069 |
| Morven, NC | 491 | 508 | 2,657 | 3,164 |
| Wadesboro, NC | 5,482 | 2,037 | 7,354 | 9,391 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Macon, MO | 5,481 | 236 | 1,543 | 1,779 |
| Uhrichsville, OH | 5,483 | 625 | 1,445 | 2,070 |
| New Castle, DE | 5,485 | 378 | 3,530 | 3,909 |
| Yosemite Lakes, CA | 5,477 | 428 | 1,829 | 2,257 |
| Kittery, ME | 5,489 | 54 | 1,179 | 1,233 |
| Wadesboro, NC | 5,482 | 2,037 | 7,354 | 9,391 |