F
3%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
70%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
17%
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 peopleSelma/100k peopleNorth Carolina/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime154n/a (estimate)2,2502,4692,324
Murder2n/a29.28.16.3
Rape5n/a73.130.540.0
Robbery5n/a73.154.966.1
Assault31n/a453.0311.6268.2
Violent crime43n/a (estimate)628405370
Burglary26n/a380.0370.8269.8
Theft67n/a979.11,494.01,401.9
Vehicle theft18n/a263.0199.3282.7
Property crime111n/a (estimate)1,6222,0641,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Selma, 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 Selma crime rate is lower than the national average by 3.2%. Specifically, there were 43 violent crimes in Selma, equivalent to 628 per 100,000 individuals, higher than the national average by 69.9%. Furthermore, Selma recorded 111 property crimes, amounting to 1622 per 100,000 residents, which was lower than the average by 17%.

When assessing the total crime rate in Selma 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 Selma, underscores the close alignment of reported crime rates with the national average as reported by other areas.

While murder rates in the United States have shown a consistent decline since 1990, recent years have witnessed an increase. Unfortunately, Selma ranks among the cities with the highest murder rates in the nation, when compared to all reporting cities in the U.S. In Selma, there were a total of 2 murders, translating to 29 murders per 100,000 residents. This alarming statistic underscores the need for heightened attention to community safety and crime prevention efforts in the area.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Selma?

AreaVibes conducted surveys inquiring about the safety perception of Selma residents. Out of the respondents (9 in total), 33% expressed a strong sense of security, believing that crime rates in Selma were low, and they felt comfortable walking alone at night. Conversely, 67% held a contrasting viewpoint, expressing concerns about safety in the area and feeling uncomfortable walking alone during the nighttime hours.

Is Selma a Safe Place to Live?

To get a feel for the safety of living in Selma, it's essential to analyze both the overall crime rate and the daily incident count. Selma presents a total crime rate that is 3% lower than the national average per 100,000 residents. Consequently, Selma experiences an average of 0.42 daily crimes, comprising 0.12 violent incidents and 0.3 property-related offenses. This evaluation offers a comprehensive understanding of the safety landscape, aiding individuals in making informed decisions when considering relocation.

Has Crime in Selma Increased Since Last Year?

In the most recent crime report, year-over-year crime rates in Selma has decreased by 27%. Examining the change in crime rates from one year to the next provides valuable insights into the evolving safety landscape of Selma, 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 16.2%, while property crime has decreased by 36.2%. This comprehensive analysis offers potential residents essential information for making informed decisions about whether or not Selma is a safe place to live.

Potential Causes for Crime in Selma

The level of education within a community can impact crime rates. Higher educational attainment often correlates with lower crime rates, as it provides individuals with better job opportunities and alternatives to criminal behavior. While lower educational achievement rates tend to lead to higher crime rates. In Selma, 56.6% of people have completed high school, while 83% of people have completed high school nationally.

High cost of living can lead to economic stress for individuals and families, particularly those with limited financial resources. When people struggle to make ends meet due to high housing costs, healthcare expenses, or other basic necessities, they may be more inclined to engage in criminal activities, such as theft or fraud, as a means of financial survival. On the flipside, cities that have a lower cost of living, could see a reduced crime rate. In Selma, the cost of living is 15.51% lower than the national average.

In Selma, the median home price stands at $110,600, 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.

Selma crime map



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

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      Crime Quick Facts

      • Selma crime rates are 3% lower than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Selma are 70% higher than the national average
      • In Selma you have a 1 in 45 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Selma is safer than 16% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Selma has decreased by 20%

      Selma, NC Crime Quiz

         

        Safest Places to Live in and Around Selma

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        Daily Crime In Selma (per 100,000 people)

        The above illustration depicts the number of crimes committed daily in Selma, per 100,000 residents. In Selma, the total number of daily crimes is 1.10 times less than the North Carolina average and 1.03 times less than the national average. Violent daily crime statistics in Selma are 1.55 times more than the North Carolina average and 1.70 times more than the national average. For property crime, Selma has a daily crime rate that is 1.27 times less than the North Carolina average and 1.20 times less than the daily national average.

        How Safe is Selma (higher is better)

        Are people any safer living in Selma in comparison to other North Carolina communities and all other areas throughout the United States? When we look at all cities across America, is Selma safe? The evidence provided by these graphs show Selma being safer than 34% of cities in North Carolina and 16% 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 Selma. In conclusion, Selma ranks below average compared to the rest of the United States.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Selma

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Selma is 1 in 160
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Selma is 1 in 62
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Selma is 1 in 45
        How likely are you to become a victim of crime? In Selma, North Carolina you have a 1 in 160 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime. Violent crimes include murder, rape, robbery and assault. With regards to property crime, you have a 1 in 62 chance of becoming a victim. Property crimes include burglary, theft and vehicle theft. Overall, you have a 1 in 45 chance of becoming a victim of crime in Selma.

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

        The year over year crime rate per 100,000 people for Selma is an accurate tool for tracking the rise and fall of crime, and in determining if living in Selma has become safer or more dangerous. The year over year data displayed in the graph shows that violent crimes have increased by 27% in Selma, while property crimes in Selma have decreased by 31%. Total crime has decreased by 21% year over year.

        Selma police department

        Item Selma North Carolina National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)2514,511558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents4.04.83.3
        There are a total of 25 Selma police officers. This results in 4.0 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 16.5% less than the North Carolina average and 22.6% 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
        Princeton, NC1,3961909701,160
        Pine Level, NC2,1881919741,165
        Kenly, NC2,3851991,0141,213
        Four Oaks, NC2,2252061,0521,258
        Wilson's Mills, NC2,6982171,1051,322
        Clayton, NC23,1791131,2351,348
        Mar-Mac, NC3,1192641,3441,607
        Selma, NC6,9506281,6222,250

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Huntingdon, PA6,9503121,6521,964
        Plymouth, MA6,9493488361,184
        Marshall, MI6,9472521,1251,377
        Oakdale, NY6,9472259031,127
        Batesville, IN6,9451869411,127
        Selma, NC6,9506281,6222,250
        Source: The Selma, 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.