| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Williamston/100k people | North Carolina/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 291 | n/a (estimate) | 5,766 | 2,469 | 2,324 |
| Murder | 1 | n/a | 19.8 | 8.1 | 6.3 |
| Rape | 7 | n/a | 138.7 | 30.5 | 40.0 |
| Robbery | 8 | n/a | 158.5 | 54.9 | 66.1 |
| Assault | 67 | n/a | 1,327.5 | 311.6 | 268.2 |
| Violent crime | 83 | n/a (estimate) | 1,645 | 405 | 370 |
| Burglary | 37 | n/a | 733.1 | 370.8 | 269.8 |
| Theft | 157 | n/a | 3,110.8 | 1,494.0 | 1,401.9 |
| Vehicle theft | 14 | n/a | 277.4 | 199.3 | 282.7 |
| Property crime | 208 | n/a (estimate) | 4,121 | 2,064 | 1,954 |
Looking at the most recent crime report, the crime rate in Williamston is 148.1% higher than the national average. These crimes fall into two primary categories: violent and property. Violent crimes encompass murder, rape, robbery and assault, while property crimes involve theft, vehicle theft and burglary. In Williamston, there were 83 reported violent crimes, equivalent to 1645 per 100,000 individuals, 344.7% higher than the national average. Additionally, there were 208 property crimes, amounting to 4121 per 100,000 residents, 110.9% higher than the U.S. average.
In Williamston, the crime rate stands at 5766 per 100,000 residents, surpassing the national average by 148.08%. 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 Williamston 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.
With a violent crime rate of 1645 crimes per 100,000 residents, Williamston is known as one of the most dangerous cities in the United States. In fact, Williamston ranks in the bottom 10% of all cities that reported violent crime last year. This translates into a 1 in 61 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime. Keep in mind that some areas will be safer than others and this doesn't necessarily mean that the entire city suffers from a high violent crime rate.
Although the murder rates in America have decreased steadily since 1990, over the last few years there has been an uptick. Williamston 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 1 murders in Williamston, which is 20 murders per 100,000 people.
Williamston reports one of the nation's highest property crime rates, with 4121 incidents per 100,000 people, positioning it among the worst 10% of American cities reporting crime. This unfortunate statistic translates to a 1 in 25 chance of falling victim to property crime in Williamston, significantly surpassing the national average. These figures underscore the city's challenges in combating property-related offenses, necessitating a concerted effort to enhance security and community safety.
AreaVibes conducted surveys inquiring about the safety perception of Williamston residents. Out of the respondents (14 in total), 21% expressed a strong sense of security, believing that crime rates in Williamston were low, and they felt comfortable walking alone at night. Conversely, 79% held a contrasting viewpoint, expressing concerns about safety in the area and feeling uncomfortable walking alone during the nighttime hours.
Is Williamston 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, Williamston has a crime rate that is higher than the national average by 148%. Breaking this down on a daily basis, it translates to 0.8 daily incidents, encompassing 0.23 violent crimes and 0.57 property crimes. Evaluating these statistics can aid in forming a more informed perspective on the safety of Williamston as a potential place to call home.
Year-over-year crime rates in Williamston has decreased by 14.7% in the last reported crime report. Comparing crime rates from one year to another offers some insight into whether or not Williamston 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 increased by 20.3%, while property crime has decreased by 23.5%. This analysis equips individuals with crucial information for making informed decisions about living in Williamston.
In Williamston, the poverty rate currently stands at 28.4%, 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 Williamston crime rates.
High cost of living can lead to economic stress for individuals and families, particularly those with limited financial resources. When people struggle to make ends meet due to high housing costs, healthcare expenses, or other basic necessities, they may be more inclined to engage in criminal activities, such as theft or fraud, as a means of financial survival. On the flipside, cities that have a lower cost of living, could see a reduced crime rate. In Williamston, the cost of living is 16.56% lower than the national average.
Williamston has a ratio of police officers and civilians per 1,000 residents that differs from the national norm, with 3.82 officers and civilians per 1,000 residents, compared to 3.25 nationwide. Crime rates are profoundly influenced by the effectiveness of law enforcement and community policing endeavors. A resilient and cooperative partnership between law enforcement agencies and the community can serve as a deterrent to criminal activities, ultimately enhancing safety. The efficacy of law enforcement extends beyond mere numbers and extends into the realm of community policing strategies, emphasizing the cultivation of trust and collaboration between officers and the community. It is not merely a matter of quantity but the quality of engagement with the community that matters most.
| 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 |
| Windsor, NC | 3,422 | 121 | 938 | 1,059 |
| Robersonville, NC | 1,601 | 197 | 1,005 | 1,203 |
| Parmele, NC | 278 | 485 | 2,473 | 2,958 |
| Bear Grass, NC | 82 | 585 | 2,981 | 3,566 |
| Jamesville, NC | 578 | 590 | 3,005 | 3,594 |
| Oak City, NC | 368 | 592 | 3,018 | 3,610 |
| Everetts, NC | 136 | 607 | 3,095 | 3,702 |
| Williamston, NC | 5,251 | 1,645 | 4,121 | 5,766 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Kings Point, NY | 5,250 | 140 | 560 | 700 |
| Ada, OH | 5,248 | 0 | 191 | 191 |
| Zephyrhills South, FL | 5,248 | 251 | 1,515 | 1,766 |
| Briar, TX | 5,255 | 271 | 1,444 | 1,715 |
| Monticello, IN | 5,255 | 309 | 1,559 | 1,868 |
| Williamston, NC | 5,251 | 1,645 | 4,121 | 5,766 |
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