C-
14%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
8%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
18%
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 peopleNags Head/100k peopleNorth Carolina/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime85n/a (estimate)2,6412,4692,324
Murder0n/a0.08.16.3
Rape2n/a62.230.540.0
Robbery0n/a0.054.966.1
Assault9n/a279.7311.6268.2
Violent crime11n/a (estimate)342405370
Burglary12n/a372.9370.8269.8
Theft60n/a1,864.51,494.01,401.9
Vehicle theft2n/a62.2199.3282.7
Property crime74n/a (estimate)2,3002,0641,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Nags Head, NC

Crime is typically categorized into two main types: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes encompass offenses such as murder, rape, robbery, and assault, while property crimes include burglary, theft, and vehicle theft. Based on the most recent report, the Nags Head crime rate is higher than the national average by 13.7%. Specifically, there were 11 violent crimes in Nags Head, equivalent to 342 per 100,000 individuals, lower than the national average by 7.6%. Furthermore, Nags Head recorded 74 property crimes, amounting to 2300 per 100,000 residents, which was higher than the average by 17.7%.

When assessing the total crime rate in Nags Head per 100,000 people, it stands in the median range among all cities with reported crime data. Our analysis of total incidents, encompassing both violent and property crimes within Nags Head, underscores the close alignment of reported crime rates with the national average as reported by other areas.

For violent crimes per 100,000 people, Nags Head has a rate of violent crime that is very close to the national average. There were a total of 342 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.

During the most recently reported crime year, Nags Head experienced a total of 0 reported murders. This statistic paints it as a beacon of security when it comes to severe violent crimes. Such an achievement not only instills a profound sense of security for its residents but also sets a high standard for other communities striving to create similarly secure environments. It underscores the area as a place where safety is a top priority, enhancing its appeal as a desirable location to live and thrive.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Nags Head?

AreaVibes has conducted polls asking local residents if they feel safe living in Nags Head. Based on the results of the surveys (28 responses), 75% of people felt that there was very little crime in Nags Head and felt safe walking alone at night. While 25% of people felt that it was not a safe place to live and did not feel safe walking alone at night.

Is Nags Head a Safe Place to Live?

Is Nags Head 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, Nags Head has a crime rate that is higher than the national average by 14%. Breaking this down on a daily basis, it translates to 0.23 daily incidents, encompassing 0.03 violent crimes and 0.2 property crimes. Evaluating these statistics can aid in forming a more informed perspective on the safety of Nags Head as a potential place to call home.

Has Crime in Nags Head Increased Since Last Year?

In the most recent crime report, year-over-year crime rates in Nags Head has decreased by 28%. Examining the change in crime rates from one year to the next provides valuable insights into the evolving safety landscape of Nags Head, aiding residents in assessing whether it is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live. These crime rates are categorized into two primary groups: violent and property crimes. Year-over-year, violent crime has increased by 83.3%, while property crime has decreased by 33.9%. This comprehensive analysis offers potential residents essential information for making informed decisions about whether or not Nags Head is a safe place to live.

Potential Causes for Crime in Nags Head

In Nags Head, 92% of residents have successfully graduated from high school, whereas the national average stands at 83%. The educational makeup of any city can exert a significant influence on crime rates. Typically, higher levels of educational attainment are associated with reduced crime rates, as they furnish individuals with improved employment prospects and viable alternatives to engaging in criminal activities. Conversely, communities characterized by lower educational achievement often grapple with higher crime rates, as limited opportunities may drive individuals towards criminal behavior.

Rising cost of living expenses, including increased housing costs, grocery, utility and healthcare expenditures, can induce financial strain on individuals and families, particularly those with limited financial resources. Such economic stress may propel individuals towards crime, including theft or burglary, as a means of addressing their financial hardships. Conversely, cities characterized by a lower cost of living may alleviate economic pressures, potentially resulting in a reduced crime rate. In Nags Head, the cost of living is 20.03% higher than the national average, reflecting a more affordable economic environment that could contribute to a decrease in crime levels.

The effectiveness of law enforcement and community policing initiatives can influence crime rates. A strong and collaborative relationship between the police and the community can deter criminal activity and improve safety. In Nags Head, there are 8.17 police officers and civilians per 1,000 residents, compared to the national average of 3.25. The effectiveness of law enforcement often depends on community policing strategies that emphasize building trust and cooperation between the police and the community. It's not just about the number of officers but also how they engage with the community.

Nags Head crime map



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

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      Crime Quick Facts

      • Nags Head crime rates are 14% higher than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Nags Head are 8% lower than the national average
      • In Nags Head you have a 1 in 38 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Nags Head is safer than 28% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Nags Head has decreased by 32%

      Nags Head, NC Crime Quiz

         

        Safest Places to Live in and Around Nags Head

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        Daily Crime In Nags Head (per 100,000 people)

        How Safe is Nags Head (higher is better)

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Nags Head

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Nags Head is 1 in 293
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Nags Head is 1 in 44
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Nags Head is 1 in 38

        Year Over Year Crime In Nags Head (per 100,000 people)

        Nags Head police department

        Item Nags Head North Carolina National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)2314,511558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents8.24.83.3
        There are a total of 23 Nags Head police officers. This results in 8.2 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 71% greater than the North Carolina average and 151.2% 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
        Southern Shores, NC2,9310309309
        Kitty Hawk, NC3,53481414495
        Wanchese, NC2,092143730873
        Manns Harbor, NC7191869471,133
        Manteo, NC1,8831212,5502,672
        Kill Devil Hills, NC7,2492282,7182,945
        Nags Head, NC2,9653422,3002,641

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Springfield, KY2,965175631806
        Denver, NC2,964123624747
        Perkins, OK2,9641511,2061,356
        Orwigsburg, PA2,964136719855
        National Park, NJ2,9641389631,100
        Nags Head, NC2,9653422,3002,641
        Source: The Nags Head, 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.