| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Williamston/100k people | North Carolina/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 378 | n/a (estimate) | 7,569 | 2,344 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 3 | n/a | 60.1 | 7.5 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 1 | n/a | 20.0 | 28.0 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 8 | n/a | 160.2 | 50.2 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 46 | n/a | 921.1 | 290.1 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 58 | n/a (estimate) | 1,161 | 376 | 359 |
| Burglary | 58 | n/a | 1,161.4 | 323.9 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 254 | n/a | 5,086.1 | 1,390.2 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 8 | n/a | 160.2 | 254.1 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 320 | n/a (estimate) | 6,408 | 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 Williamston is 257.2% higher than the national average. Specifically, there were 58 violent crimes reported in Williamston, equivalent to 1161 per 100,000 residents, which is higher than the national average by 223.4%. Additionally, Williamston recorded 320 property crimes, amounting to 6408 per 100,000 people, higher than the national average by 264.1%.
Having a crime rate of 7569 per 100,000 residents, Williamston experiences a crime rate that is 257.17% 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, Williamston 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.
Williamston has gained notoriety as one of the most dangerous cities in the United States, given its alarming violent crime rate of 1161 crimes per 100,000 people. In fact, Williamston falls within the lowest 10% among cities reporting violent crimes last year, resulting in a concerning 1 in 87 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.
Despite a steady decline in murder rates in the United States since 1990, recent years have witnessed an unfortunate uptick. Williamston stands out with one of the nation's highest murder rates, surpassing other cities that reported crime. In Williamston, there were a total of 3 murders, translating to 60 murders per 100,000 people, underscoring the pressing need for continued efforts to address and reduce severe violent crime in the area.
Every year, one in 16 people fall victim to a property crime in Williamston - which is high compared to the national average. With a property crime rate of 6408 per 100,000 people, Williamston has one of the highest property crime rates in the country. In fact, the city ranks among the worst 10% of all cities that reported crime last year.
What do the local residents think about crime in Williamston? Well, based on a recent survey of 14 people (conducted by AreaVibes), 21% of Williamston residents said that there was virtually no crime and that they felt safe walking at night. Another 79% of respondents said that there was too much crime in the area and they did not feel safe walking alone at night.
Before you decide to relocate, it’s always good to ask yourself “Is Williamston a safe place to live?” Although the answer might not be that simple, as some areas are safer than others, getting a good feel for the overall rate of crime can definitely be helpful. Overall, the Williamston crime rate is 257% higher than the national average. If we break that down daily, that translates into 1.04 crimes per day - 0.16 violent crimes and 0.88 property crimes.
Year-over-year crime data allows residents and potential residents to assess the crime in Williamston. A decrease in crime rates may indicate improving safety, while an increase could raise concerns. The year-over-year crime rate in Williamston has increased by 10.9%. Violent crimes have decreased by 15.9%, while property crimes have increased by 17.7%. 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.
The economic well-being of a city's residents plays a significant role in crime rates. High poverty rates and income inequality can lead to increased crime stats as individuals may resort to illegal activities to meet their basic needs. While lower rates could lead to a lower Williamston crime rate. The poverty level in Williamston is 28.4%, while the national average is 15.1%.
Williamston reports an unemployment rate of 10%, contrasting with the national average of 4.9%. Constrained employment opportunities or a prevalence of low-paying positions can contribute to elevated rates of unemployment and underemployment. Areas where individuals contend with joblessness or insufficient wages may display heightened susceptibility to an increase in criminal activities attributed to economic insecurity. Conversely, regions characterized by robust employment rates often witness a decrease in overall Williamston crime rates.
The educational level achieved in any given city can influence crime rates significantly. Greater educational achievement is frequently associated with decreased crime rates, as it offers individuals improved job prospects and alternatives to engaging in crime related activities. Conversely, lower educational attainment rates tend to coincide with elevated crime rates. In Williamston, 80.7% of residents have successfully graduated from high school, in contrast to the national average where 83% have achieved high school graduation.
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 | Williamston | North Carolina | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 21 | 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 |
| Robersonville, NC | 1,642 | 176 | 919 | 1,095 |
| Windsor, NC | 3,547 | 444 | 1,205 | 1,649 |
| Hamilton, NC | 233 | 489 | 2,560 | 3,049 |
| Bear Grass, NC | 85 | 493 | 2,581 | 3,074 |
| Everetts, NC | 139 | 509 | 2,666 | 3,175 |
| Jamesville, NC | 592 | 527 | 2,759 | 3,286 |
| Parmele, NC | 284 | 541 | 2,829 | 3,370 |
| Williamston, NC | 5,441 | 1,161 | 6,408 | 7,569 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Montgomery, GA | 5,441 | 106 | 545 | 651 |
| Hightstown, NJ | 5,441 | 101 | 653 | 754 |
| Williamsburg, KY | 5,440 | 156 | 508 | 664 |
| Williams, CA | 5,439 | 620 | 886 | 1,507 |
| Tellico Village, TN | 5,438 | 193 | 661 | 853 |
| Williamston, NC | 5,441 | 1,161 | 6,408 | 7,569 |
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