F
129%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
100%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
135%
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 peopleRoanoke Rapids/100k peopleNorth Carolina/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime801n/a (estimate)5,3312,4692,324
Murder1n/a6.78.16.3
Rape13n/a86.530.540.0
Robbery28n/a186.454.966.1
Assault69n/a459.2311.6268.2
Violent crime111n/a (estimate)739405370
Burglary161n/a1,071.6370.8269.8
Theft480n/a3,194.71,494.01,401.9
Vehicle theft49n/a326.1199.3282.7
Property crime690n/a (estimate)4,5922,0641,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Roanoke Rapids, NC

The Roanoke Rapids crime rates are 129.4% higher than the national average. There are two main categories of crime - violent crime and property crime. Violent crime consists of murder, rape, robbery and assault, while property crimes include burglary, theft and vehicle theft. There were a total of 111 violent crimes in Roanoke Rapids (739 per 100,000 people), which is 99.8% higher than the national average and there were a total of 690 property crimes (4592 per 100,000 residents) which is 135% higher than average.

Roanoke Rapids has a crime rate of 5331 per 100,000 people, which surpasses the national average by 129.37%, leading to one of the highest total crime rates in the United States. Addressing this issue is vital for improving overall safety and desirability of Roanoke Rapids. Efforts to reduce crime through community engagement, effective law enforcement, and collaborative initiatives are essential to create a more secure and appealing environment for residents and prospective newcomers alike.

Roanoke Rapids ranks among the bottom 10% of all U.S. cities reporting violent crime, earning its reputation as one of the nation's most dangerous areas. With a violent crime rate of 739 per 100,000 people, Roanoke Rapids is considered one of the most unsafe cities in America. This statistic translates to a 1 in 136 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime in Roanoke Rapids, underscoring the need for increased safety measures and community engagement to improve the city's security.

With a property crime rate of 4592 crimes per 100,000 people, Roanoke Rapids unfortunately has the distinction of being among the bottom 10% of all U.S. cities reporting crime. The likelihood of falling victim to property crime in Roanoke Rapids is alarmingly high, estimated at 1 in 22, significantly surpassing the national average. This data emphasizes the city's pressing need for concerted efforts to address and reduce property crime, ensuring a safer environment for its residents.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Roanoke Rapids?

What is the prevailing sentiment among Roanoke Rapids residents regarding the state of crime? A comprehensive survey conducted by AreaVibes, involving 27 respondents, sheds light on this matter. The results were as follows: 11% of Roanoke Rapids residents expressed a notable sense of security, asserting that crime was virtually non-existent in their community, and they felt at ease strolling the streets after dark. While, 89% of those surveyed held a contrasting viewpoint, perceiving a higher incidence of crime, leading them to feel apprehensive about walking alone at night.

Is Roanoke Rapids a Safe Place to Live?

To determine if Roanoke Rapids 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. Roanoke Rapids has a total crime rate that is 129% higher than the national average per 100,000 residents. This results in a total of 2.19 daily crimes (0.3 violent daily crimes and 1.89 daily property crimes) in Roanoke Rapids.

Has Crime in Roanoke Rapids Increased Since Last Year?

Examining year-over-year crime data provides insights into short-term trends with regards to the crime activity in Roanoke Rapids. This analysis involves comparing crime rates from one year to the next, enabling the identification of patterns and fluctuations in crime. Such information proves invaluable to residents seeking to make well-informed decisions about their choice of residence. In the most recent year, compared to the previous one, total crime in Roanoke Rapids has increased by 20.3%. Specifically, violent crime has decreased by 2.6%, while property crime has increased by 25%. This data empowers individuals with a clearer understanding of the evolving safety landscape in Roanoke Rapids.

Potential Causes for Crime in Roanoke Rapids

The educational level within a community can have an influence on crime rates. Typically, higher levels of education are associated with reduced crime rates, as they offer individuals improved employment prospects and alternatives to engaging in criminal activities. Conversely, lower educational attainment tends to correspond with higher crime rates. In Roanoke Rapids, 75% of residents have achieved at least a high school diploma, which differs from the national average of 83%.

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 Roanoke Rapids, the cost of living is 12.92% lower than the national average, reflecting a more affordable economic environment that could contribute to a decrease in crime levels.

In cities grappling with housing affordability challenges, crime can emerge as a prominent issue. Certain individuals and families may find themselves needing to reside in cramped or subpar housing conditions, elevating stress levels and potentially fueling domestic conflicts and associated criminal incidents. Roanoke Rapids has a median home price of $107,400, deviating from the national average of $184,700. Large disparities in housing costs can significantly impact the well-being of residents and the prevalence of crime within the community.

Roanoke Rapids crime map



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

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      Crime Quick Facts

      • Roanoke Rapids crime rates are 129% higher than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Roanoke Rapids are 100% higher than the national average
      • In Roanoke Rapids you have a 1 in 19 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Roanoke Rapids is safer than 5% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Roanoke Rapids has increased by 12%

      Roanoke Rapids, NC Crime Quiz

         

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        Daily Crime In Roanoke Rapids (per 100,000 people)

        The graph above illustrates the number of daily crimes in Roanoke Rapids, NC per 100,000 people. In Roanoke Rapids, the total number of daily crimes is 2.16 times more than the North Carolina average and 2.29 times more than the national average. The number of daily violent crimes in Roanoke Rapids is 1.82 times more than the North Carolina average and 2.00 times more than the national average. With regards to property crimes, Roanoke Rapids has a daily crime rate that is 2.22 times more than the North Carolina average and 2.35 times more than the national average.

        How Safe is Roanoke Rapids (higher is better)

        Are people any safer living in Roanoke Rapids in comparison to other North Carolina communities and all other areas throughout the United States? When we look at all cities across America, is Roanoke Rapids safe? The evidence provided by these graphs show Roanoke Rapids being safer than 12% of cities in North Carolina and 5% of cities across the United States. This is evident by tracking North Carolina cities as well as all US cities over a one year period to contrast crime statistics as they relate to Roanoke Rapids. In conclusion, Roanoke Rapids ranks below average compared to the rest of the United States.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Roanoke Rapids

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Roanoke Rapids is 1 in 136
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Roanoke Rapids is 1 in 22
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Roanoke Rapids is 1 in 19
        Interested in knowing the odds that you will be a crime victim in Roanoke Rapids? In Roanoke Rapids, you have a 1 in 136 chance of falling victim to a violent crime, such as rape, robbery, assault, or even murder. In terms of property crime, your chances of being a victim are 1 in 22. These crimes include theft, vehicle theft, and burglary. Your overall chance of being a victim of crime in Roanoke Rapids, NC is 1 in 19.

        Year Over Year Crime In Roanoke Rapids (per 100,000 people)

        An analysis of year to year crime rates in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina (per 100,000 people) is a useful indicator of whether the area is becoming a safer or a more dangerous place to live. The amount of violent crime in Roanoke Rapids has decreased by 9%, the amount of property crime in Roanoke Rapids has increased by 17%, and the total amount of crime in Roanoke Rapids has increased by 12% year over year.

        Roanoke Rapids police department

        Item Roanoke Rapids North Carolina National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)4314,511558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents2.74.83.3
        There are a total of 43 Roanoke Rapids police officers. This results in 2.7 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 42.9% less than the North Carolina average and 16.1% less 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
        Gaston, NC1,2902121,0821,294
        South Rosemary, NC2,8312311,1771,408
        Gasburg, VA5081951,4111,606
        Littleton, NC5204682,3852,854
        Halifax, NC2404902,4962,986
        Jackson, NC7084952,5233,019
        Seaboard, NC7435712,9123,483
        Roanoke Rapids, NC14,5627394,5925,331

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Pewaukee, WI14,561122568690
        Saraland, AL14,5611401,9382,078
        Thibodaux, LA14,5654683,0073,475
        Homosassa Springs, FL14,5663562,1552,511
        Gantt, SC14,5565952,7953,389
        Roanoke Rapids, NC14,5627394,5925,331
        Source: The Roanoke Rapids, 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.