F
22%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
22%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
22%
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.
Morganton crime rates are not available from the FBI crime report. The FBI's uniform crime reporting program (UCR), gathers data from more than 18,000 law enforcement agencies. The agencies include city, university, college, county, state, tribal and federal law enforcement agencies. When combined, they represent approximately 309 million American residents, or a 98% coverage rate of large metropolitan areas. This does result in approximately 20 million people who live in areas where the FBI does not provide crime reports. These areas tend to be smaller towns, villages or suburbs. Given that Morganton crime stats are not covered by the FBI crime reports, either data from local enforcement agencies is applied or estimates are calculated based on demographic data including, but not limited to: home prices, income per capita, poverty rates, unemployment rates, educational achievement and population density. The Morganton crime estimates should be used at your own risk. Please be aware that the data displayed above is estimated and not officially reported by any agency. The Morganton crime map can also be used to view a visual display of crimes committed on a block group level.
StatisticReportedincidents/100k peopleMorganton/100k peopleNorth Carolina/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime0n/a (estimate)2,778 (estimate)2,4562,281
Murdern/an/an/a7.95.7
Rapen/an/an/a28.238.0
Robberyn/an/an/a51.866.5
Assaultn/an/an/a303.5264.1
Violent crimen/an/a (estimate)442 (estimate)391364
Burglaryn/an/an/a355.3250.7
Theftn/an/an/a1,447.81,347.2
Vehicle theftn/an/an/a261.8318.7
Property crimen/an/a (estimate)2,335 (estimate)2,0651,917

An Overview of Crime Rates in Morganton, NC

Looking at the most recent crime report, the crime rate in Morganton is 60.9% 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 Morganton, there were 72 reported violent crimes, equivalent to 410 per 100,000 individuals, 10.8% higher than the national average. Additionally, there were 585 property crimes, amounting to 3330 per 100,000 residents, 70.4% higher than the U.S. average.

For violent crimes per 100,000 people, Morganton has a rate of violent crime that is very close to the national average. There were a total of 410 violent crimes, while the national average reported 370. This is an indication that the level of crime is essentially on par with all other cities.

Morganton showcased a dedication to violent crime safety in its latest reported crime year by achieving a murder rate of 0. This accomplishment could indicate that it is a safe place for residents, but also provides a shining example to other urban areas endeavoring to create safer communities.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Morganton?

AreaVibes surveyed 16 local residents in Morganton to gauge the safety of the area. Based on the results, 56% of people answered that there was very little crime in Morganton and that they felt very comfortable walking alone at night. Another 44% of people responded that there was far too much crime and they would be hesitant to walk the streets alone at night. Keep in mind that the opinions of residents may vary depending on which area they live in.

Is Morganton a Safe Place to Live?

Is Morganton 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, Morganton has a crime rate that is higher than the national average by 61%. Breaking this down on a daily basis, it translates to 1.8 daily incidents, encompassing 0.2 violent crimes and 1.6 property crimes. Evaluating these statistics can aid in forming a more informed perspective on the safety of Morganton as a potential place to call home.

Has Crime in Morganton Increased Since Last Year?

Year-over-year crime rates in Morganton has decreased by 5.5% in the last reported crime report. Comparing crime rates from one year to another offers some insight into whether or not Morganton 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 12.2%, while property crime has decreased by 4.6%. This analysis equips individuals with crucial information for making informed decisions about living in Morganton.

Potential Causes for Crime in Morganton

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 Morganton crime rate. The poverty level in Morganton is 26.1%, while the national average is 15.1%.

In areas where employment options are limited or where a significant proportion of jobs offer meager wages, the likelihood of heightened unemployment and homelessness increases. Regions facing challenges related to unemployment or inadequate income may become more vulnerable to a surge in crime stemming from economic instability. While low unemployment rates tend to lead to reduced crime in most areas. Morganton currently has an unemployment rate of 2.6%, contrasting with the national average of 4.7%. This could be one of many factors that could contribute to a higher or lower crime rate.

In Morganton, the median home price stands at $153,400, diverging from the national average of $184,700. Elevated housing costs often induce financial strain among residents. When individuals grapple with the challenges of affording housing, they may find themselves compelled to resort to criminal activities as a means of addressing their financial hardships, including acts like theft or fraud. This predicament is particularly pronounced in areas where housing affordability poses a persistent issue, giving rise to heightened concerns regarding crime. In such instances, some individuals and families may find themselves constrained to reside in cramped or subpar housing conditions, exacerbating stress levels and potentially fostering domestic disputes and associated criminal incidents.

Morganton crime map



The Morganton crime map provides a detailed overview of all crimes in Morganton 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 Morganton crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the Morganton 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 Morganton, NC Crime

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      Crime Quick Facts

      • Morganton crime rates are 22% higher than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Morganton are 22% higher than the national average
      • In Morganton you have a 1 in 37 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Morganton is safer than 16% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Morganton has decreased by 34%

      Morganton, NC Crime Quiz

         

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        Daily Crime In Morganton (per 100,000 people)

        How Safe is Morganton (higher is better)

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Morganton

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Morganton is 1 in 227
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Morganton is 1 in 43
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Morganton is 1 in 37

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

        Morganton police department

        Item Morganton North Carolina National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)8914,511558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents5.24.83.3
        There are a total of 89 Morganton police officers. This results in 5.2 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 9.1% greater than the North Carolina average and 60.2% 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
        Rutherford College, NC1,104145767913
        Drexel, NC1,725147777924
        Glen Alpine, NC1,927148784932
        Salem, NC1,479153805958
        Cedar Rock, NC284158834992
        Connelly Springs, NC2,2721729101,082
        Cajah's Mountain, NC2,7581809501,130
        Morganton, NC16,5174422,3352,778

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Lake Wales, FL16,5154032,3582,761
        Roosevelt, NY16,5223991,8392,238
        Vienna, VA16,532117840957
        East Highland Park, VA16,4992952,0732,368
        Hillcrest Heights, MD16,4984892,3782,868
        Morganton, NC16,5174422,3352,778
        Source: The Morganton, 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.