F
73%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
43%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
79%
Property crime NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects the 2022 calendar year and was released from the FBI in September, 2023; this is the most current data available.
StatisticReportedincidents/100k peopleHickory/100k peopleNorth Carolina/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime1,764n/a (estimate)4,0312,4692,324
Murder8n/a18.38.16.3
Rape17n/a38.930.540.0
Robbery22n/a50.354.966.1
Assault185n/a422.8311.6268.2
Violent crime232n/a (estimate)530405370
Burglary267n/a610.2370.8269.8
Theft1,142n/a2,609.91,494.01,401.9
Vehicle theft123n/a281.1199.3282.7
Property crime1,532n/a (estimate)3,5012,0641,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Hickory, NC

When we analyze the latest crime report, the Hickory crime rate is 73.5% higher than the national average. These incidents are classified into two primary categories: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes include assault, robbery, rape and murder. Whereas property crimes encompass theft, vehicle theft and burglary. In the case of Hickory, there were 232 reported violent crimes, equivalent to 530 per 100,000 individuals, 43.4% higher than the national average. Additionally, Hickory recorded 1532 property crimes, amounting to 3501 per 100,000 residents, 79.2% higher than the U.S. average.

With a crime rate of 4031 per 100,000 residents, Hickory has a crime rate that is 73.46% 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 Hickory 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.

Although murder rates are essentially half of what they used to be 30+ years ago, some cities still struggle with higher rates than others. Hickory is one of those cities. In the last reported crime year, there were a total of 8 murders in Hickory, which equates to 18 murders per 100,000 people. This results in Hickory being a very dangerous place to live.

Hickory faces some of the nation's most elevated property crime rates, recording 3501 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 Hickory stands at 1 in 29, 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 Locals Say About Crime in Hickory?

AreaVibes has conducted polls asking local residents if they feel safe living in Hickory. Based on the results of the surveys (42 responses), 45% of people felt that there was very little crime in Hickory and felt safe walking alone at night. While 55% of people felt that it was not a safe place to live and did not feel safe walking alone at night.

Is Hickory a Safe Place to Live?

To determine if Hickory 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. Hickory has a total crime rate that is 73% higher than the national average per 100,000 residents. This results in a total of 4.83 daily crimes (0.64 violent daily crimes and 4.2 daily property crimes) in Hickory.

Has Crime in Hickory Increased Since Last Year?

Year-over-year crime data allows residents and potential residents to assess the crime in Hickory. A decrease in crime rates may indicate improving safety, while an increase could raise concerns. The year-over-year crime rate in Hickory has decreased by 16.4%. Violent crimes have decreased by 7.2%, while property crimes have decreased 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.

Potential Causes for Crime in Hickory

Highly populated regions typically encompass expansive urban hubs teeming with diverse economic prospects. Within these areas, income inequality can be exacerbated, giving rise to enclaves of poverty amid affluence. Communities marked by economic disparities may contend with heightened property crimes, and in certain instances, violent crimes. Conversely, regions characterized by low population density often exhibit lower Hickory crime rates. For instance, in Hickory, the population density stands at 1334.8 people per square mile, diverging from the national average of 90.6 people per square mile.

In areas where housing affordability is an issue, crime can become a significant concern. Some individuals and families may be forced to live in overcrowded or substandard housing conditions, which can increase stress and potentially contribute to domestic disputes and related crimes. The median home price in Hickory is $189,100, compared to a national average of $184,700.

Hickory has an average rental rate of $771 per month, compared to the national average of $949. In areas with high rental costs, some individuals and families may be forced to live in overcrowded or substandard housing conditions. Overcrowding can lead to increased stress and tension, which may contribute to domestic disputes and related property or violent crimes. Addressing affordable housing and economic mobility can be important strategies for reducing crime in such areas.

Hickory crime map



The Hickory crime map provides a detailed overview of all crimes in Hickory as reported by the local law enforcement agencies. Based on the color coded legend above, the crime map outlines the areas with lower crime compared to the areas with higher crime. The Hickory crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the Hickory crime map does not always indicate that it is a dangerous area for its residents. Areas on the heat map could be inflated if they are located in high traffic areas like airports, sports centers or large parks. Other areas on the heat map could see increased crime rates if they are located in major tourist areas like the downtown core.
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Compare Hickory, NC Crime

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      Crime Quick Facts

      • Hickory crime rates are 73% higher than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Hickory are 43% higher than the national average
      • In Hickory you have a 1 in 25 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Hickory is safer than 12% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Hickory has decreased by 21%

      Hickory, NC Crime Quiz

         

        Safest Places to Live in and Around Hickory

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        Daily Crime In Hickory (per 100,000 people)

        The graph above looks at the comparison of crimes committed in Hickory on a daily basis (per 100,000 people) to crimes committed throughout the state of North Carolina and the USA. According to the latest crime statistics, daily crimes in Hickory (which include property crimes as well as violent crimes), when compared to North Carolina, are 1.63 times more than the state average and 1.73 times more than than national average. Violent crimes committed in Hickory on a daily basis are 1.31 times more than than North Carolina average and 1.43 times more than the average nationwide. Daily property crime rates in Hickory are 1.70 times more than the daily state average and 1.79 times more than the daily national numbers.

        How Safe is Hickory (higher is better)

        Compared to the other cities in North Carolina and all other cities across the US, is Hickory safe? From the gauges displayed above, you will notice that Hickory is safer than 25% of other cities in the state of North Carolina. In addition, Hickory is safer than 12% of cities in the entire United States. To achieve these results, all North Carolina and United States cities were analyzed to determine how many locations had a lower crime rate than Hickory. By studying this data, it was possible to determine that Hickory is below average in safety when compared with other United States cities.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Hickory

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Hickory is 1 in 189
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Hickory is 1 in 29
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Hickory is 1 in 25
        Are you at risk of becoming a victim of crime in Hickory, North Carolina? If you reside in Hickory, then there is a 1 in 189 chance that you will experience a violent crime. These types of crimes may include homicide, sexual assault, robbery, and physical assault. Your risk of being a victim of property crime is 1 in 29. These types of crime include burglary, petty theft, and theft of motor vehicles. Altogether, there is a 1 in 25 risk that you will become a victim of crime in Hickory.

        Year Over Year Crime In Hickory (per 100,000 people)

        A good indicator of whether Hickory is becoming a safer or a more dangerous place to live can be determined by analyzing the year over year crime rate (per 100,000 people). The number of violent crimes in Hickory has decreased by 12%, while the property crime rate in Hickory has decreased by 22% year over year. The number of total crimes in Hickory has decreased by 21% year over year.

        Hickory police department

        Item Hickory North Carolina National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)14214,511558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents3.54.83.3
        There are a total of 142 Hickory police officers. This results in 3.5 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 26.3% less than the North Carolina average and 8.2% greater than the National average.

        Sex offenders in North Carolina

        State Total offenders North Carolina /100K National /100K
        North Carolina26,293320266
        There are a total of 26,293 sex offenders in North Carolina. This yields a total of 320 sex offenders in North Carolina per 100,000 residents which is 20% greater than the national average.

        Nearby Cities With Low Crime Rates

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Northlakes, NC1,304109556665
        Claremont, NC1,924142723865
        Rutherford College, NC1,104160815975
        Cedar Rock, NC284164834997
        Cajah's Mountain, NC2,7581939841,178
        Connelly Springs, NC2,2721971,0041,201
        Hildebran, NC1,6521991,0121,211
        Hickory, NC41,0675303,5014,031

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Oviedo, FL41,06290607697
        Manassas, VA41,0382942,2132,507
        Findlay, OH41,0981761,7731,948
        Weslaco, TX41,1033543,0063,361
        Shelton, CT41,16250917967
        Hickory, NC41,0675303,5014,031
        Source: The Hickory, NC crime data displayed above is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reports for the year of 2022. The crime report encompasses more than 18,000 city and state law enforcement agencies reporting data on property and violent crimes. The uniform crime reports program represents approximately 309 million American residents, which results in 98% coverage of metropolitan statistical areas.