Safest cities in North Carolina

Known as the 'Tar Heel State,' North Carolina is celebrated for its diverse landscapes, vibrant cities, and rich cultural heritage. Located in the southeastern United States, North Carolina offers a variety of terrains, from the Appalachian Mountains in the west to the Atlantic Ocean beaches in the east. The state's economy is robust, driven by industries such as technology, finance, agriculture, and manufacturing. Charlotte, the state's largest city, is a major financial hub, while Raleigh, the state capital, is part of the Research Triangle, known for its high-tech research and development. North Carolina is also home to prestigious universities, beautiful parks, and a thriving arts scene, contributing to its dynamic cultural landscape.

Low crime rates are essential for maintaining a high quality of life, making the safest cities in North Carolina highly desirable. Safety fosters a sense of community and stability, allowing residents to thrive in a secure environment. Factors contributing to the safety of North Carolina's cities include strong law enforcement, active community policing, and engaged local governments. The safest cities are ranked based on total crime per 100,000 people, ensuring a transparent and reliable measure of safety. This emphasis on security allows residents to enjoy North Carolina's natural beauty, cultural richness, and economic opportunities without the overshadowing concern of crime, making it an attractive place to live and work.

Pinehurst Population: 16,382 407 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 33 Property Crime / 100k: 374 chance of being a victim: 1 in 246

Pinehurst proudly holds the honor of being the safest city in North Carolina. With only 407 crimes per 100,000 people, Pinehurst has a crime rate that is 82% lower than the North Carolina average. This equates to an average of 0.21 crimes per day and a 1 in 246 chance of becoming a victim of a crime. The city's well-funded police department, active neighborhood watch programs, and community engagement initiatives contribute significantly to its low crime rates, making it an ideal place for families and retirees.

Davidson Population: 12,920 500 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 33 Property Crime / 100k: 467 chance of being a victim: 1 in 200

Known for its tight-knight community and safe environment, Davidson comes in at #2 on our list of the safest cities in North Carolina with a crime rate of 500 crimes per 100,000 people. When you dig deeper into the numbers, this translates to: 66 counts of burglary, 382 counts of theft, 20 counts of vehicle theft, 20 counts of assault, 7 counts of robbery, 7 counts of rape and 0 counts of homicide. The commitment to safety in Davidson, makes it one of the safest and most livable areas in the state.

Winterville Population: 10,062 643 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 159 Property Crime / 100k: 485 chance of being a victim: 1 in 155

With a population of 10,062 and a total crime rate of 643 per 100,000 residents, Winterville is the 3rd safest city in North Carolina. Exhibiting a total crime rate that is 89% lower than the North Carolina average, the commitment to safety is evident in its multifaceted crime prevention strategies. The local government collaborates closely with residents through regular community meetings and feedback sessions to address safety concerns. The end result, is an incredibly safe place to live.

Elon Population: 11,941 712 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 88 Property Crime / 100k: 625 chance of being a victim: 1 in 140

With many parks and recreational activities readily available, Elon is a growing community where residents can enjoy the outdoors. Residents also feel safe, knowing that the overall crime rate per 100,000 people is 712, 89% lower than the North Carolina average. This amounts to 0.22 crimes per day and a 1 in 140 chance of becoming a victim of a crime. Strong community partnerships between local businesses, schools, and law enforcement further enhance the city’s security. These combined efforts make Elon a highly desirable and safe place to call home.

Rolesville Population: 8,002 739 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 85 Property Crime / 100k: 654 chance of being a victim: 1 in 135

Known for its friendly neighborhoods and proactive safety measures, Rolesville consistently ranks high in safety. In Rolesville, the focus on community policing ensures that officers are integrated into the community, building strong relationships with residents. Crime prevention education, offered through schools and local organizations, empowers residents to take an active role in maintaining their safety. With everything working asynchronously, the total crime rate comes in at 739, which is 89% lower than the state average.

Waxhaw Population: 16,165 818 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 84 Property Crime / 100k: 734 chance of being a victim: 1 in 122

Waxhaw has lots to offer its residents, including safety as it comes in at #6 on our list of the safest cities in North Carolina. The total crime rate from the year that it was last reported was 818 crimes per 100,000 people, 77% lower than the North Carolina average. Breaking down each category of crime, it comes out to: 71 reports of burglary, 632 reports of theft, 31 reports of vehicle theft, 49 reports of assault, 4 reports of robbery, 31 reports of rape and 0 reports of homicide.

Fuquay-Varina Population: 29,110 920 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 69 Property Crime / 100k: 850 chance of being a victim: 1 in 109

Fuquay-Varina ranks as the seventh safest city in North Carolina and offers a peaceful retreat with minimal crime. With a 1 in 109 chance of becoming a victim of a crime and 0.98 crimes per day (per 100,000 people), the area has a safety record that speaks for itself. Active involvement from its residents, such as neighborhood patrols and community safety workshops, fosters a strong sense of community and vigilance. Fuquay-Varina’s commitment to safety makes it one of the safest places in North Carolina.

Wendell Population: 7,962 962 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 172 Property Crime / 100k: 791 chance of being a victim: 1 in 104

Recognized for sprawling open spaces, outdoor recreational opportunities, and a growing economy, Wendell is the 8th safest city in North Carolina. Continuously ranking as one of the safest cities in the state, the crime rate came in at 87% lower than the North Carolina average, reporting a total of 962 crimes per 100,000 people. The city places a strong emphasis on public safety through various initiatives that promote collaboration between residents and local authorities. Regular community safety events and lots of outdoor spaces, coupled with an accessible and responsive police force, ensure that residents feel safe and supported.

Stallings Population: 15,781 1,038 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 95 Property Crime / 100k: 943 chance of being a victim: 1 in 96

Many safe cities implement comprehensive crime prevention programs that include educational initiatives, youth engagement activities, and public awareness campaigns. Stallings is a great example of such a city and continually ranks as one of the safest communities in North Carolina, based on the annual review of the FBI uniform crime report. Statistically speaking, there were a total of 1,038 crimes per 100,000 residents, which is 83% lower than the state average.

Mint Hill Population: 27,258 1,055 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 86 Property Crime / 100k: 969 chance of being a victim: 1 in 95

Completing the list as the 10th safest city in North Carolina, is Mint Hill. With a low rate of crime that included 150 burglaries, 745 thefts, 75 vehicle thefts, 52 assaults, 26 robberies, 4 rapes and 4 homicides, the overall crime rate was 73% lower than the state average. Cities with engaged citizens and responsive government bodies are more likely to implement effective policies and practices that promote safety and address residents’ concerns.

Full list of the safest cities in North Carolina

Rank	Location	Population	Violent Crimes /100k	Property Crimes /100k	Total Crimes /100k
1	Pinehurst	16,382	33	374	407
2	Davidson	12,920	33	467	500
3	Winterville	10,062	159	485	643
4	Elon	11,941	88	625	712
5	Rolesville	8,002	85	654	739
6	Waxhaw	16,165	84	734	818
7	Fuquay-Varina	29,110	69	850	920
8	Wendell	7,962	172	791	962
9	Stallings	15,781	95	943	1,038
10	Mint Hill	27,258	86	969	1,055
11	Holly Springs	36,595	66	1,004	1,070
12	Concord	94,147	106	984	1,090
13	Gibsonville	7,232	199	939	1,138
14	Cornelius	29,836	132	1,007	1,139
15	Wake Forest	44,068	115	1,043	1,158
16	Cary	169,177	80	1,106	1,185
17	Apex	55,220	55	1,144	1,198
18	Woodfin	6,689	185	1,074	1,260
19	Huntersville	57,288	135	1,212	1,348
20	Clayton	23,179	113	1,235	1,348
21	Boiling Spring Lakes	6,156	173	1,355	1,528
22	Brevard	7,841	180	1,414	1,594
23	Boone	19,466	111	1,527	1,638
24	Mount Holly	15,947	209	1,458	1,667
25	Bessemer City	5,536	305	1,365	1,670
26	Archdale	11,738	167	1,650	1,816
27	Fletcher	8,287	161	1,712	1,874
28	King	6,980	69	1,830	1,899
29	Ayden	5,138	434	1,480	1,914
30	Butner	7,779	209	1,775	1,984
31	Carrboro	21,254	274	1,732	2,006
32	Cherryville	6,018	194	1,824	2,018
33	Chapel Hill	61,912	185	1,989	2,174
34	Havelock	19,927	199	2,005	2,204
35	Southern Pines	14,347	244	1,989	2,233
36	Kannapolis	49,788	196	2,046	2,242
37	Selma	6,950	628	1,622	2,250
38	Morrisville	27,582	120	2,144	2,264
39	Newton	13,106	234	2,075	2,309
40	Mooresville	38,498	180	2,132	2,312
41	Jacksonville	74,313	311	2,074	2,385
42	Graham	15,168	420	2,060	2,480
43	New Bern	29,985	506	2,040	2,546
44	Carolina Beach	6,324	466	2,225	2,691
45	Kings Mountain	10,885	482	2,254	2,736
46	Knightdale	16,798	209	2,559	2,767
47	Raleigh	469,698	500	2,335	2,834
48	Oxford	8,812	731	2,114	2,844
49	Morehead City	9,495	296	2,559	2,854
50	Angier	5,748	294	2,644	2,938

Methodology

The AreaVibes list of the safest cities in North Carolina is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reporting program (UCR Program) from their most recent release. To compile this list, we used violent crime (assualt, robbery, rape and murder) and property crime data (burglary, theft, vehicle theft) per 100,000 people and only included North Carolina cities with a population of 5,000 or more. Displaying crime rates based on a population of 100,000 allows for an equal comparison for each city.

Map of Crime by State

Well Below nat. avg.
Below nat. avg.
Similar to nat. avg.
Above nat. avg.
Well above nat. avg.

The interactive map above is a powerful tool for discovering the safest cities in each state across the USA. By highlighting states with the lowest total crime rates, this map provides valuable insights into the factors contributing to these statistics. It showcases urban centers with thriving economies, regions boasting solid job markets, and areas with low unemployment, all of which correlate with reduced crime rates. By clicking on each state, you can dive deeper into information about their safest cities and explore detailed crime statistics that paint a clearer picture of safety across the nation.