C
0%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
19%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
3%
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 peopleSpencer/100k peopleNorth Carolina/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime77n/a (estimate)2,3142,4692,324
Murder1n/a30.18.16.3
Rape1n/a30.130.540.0
Robbery1n/a30.154.966.1
Assault7n/a210.4311.6268.2
Violent crime10n/a (estimate)301405370
Burglary14n/a420.8370.8269.8
Theft39n/a1,172.21,494.01,401.9
Vehicle theft14n/a420.8199.3282.7
Property crime67n/a (estimate)2,0142,0641,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Spencer, NC

When we analyze the latest crime report, the Spencer crime rate is 0.4% lower than the national average. These incidents are classified into two primary categories: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes include assault, robbery, rape and murder. Whereas property crimes encompass theft, vehicle theft and burglary. In the case of Spencer, there were 10 reported violent crimes, equivalent to 301 per 100,000 individuals, 18.7% lower than the national average. Additionally, Spencer recorded 67 property crimes, amounting to 2014 per 100,000 residents, 3% higher than the U.S. average.

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

Despite a steady decline in murder rates in the United States since 1990, recent years have witnessed an unfortunate uptick. Spencer stands out with one of the nation's highest murder rates, surpassing other cities that reported crime. In Spencer, there were a total of 1 murders, translating to 30 murders per 100,000 people, underscoring the pressing need for continued efforts to address and reduce severe violent crime in the area.

Spencer maintains a property crime rate that closely resembles the national norm. In Spencer, 2014 property crimes were reported, aligning with the national average of 1954 per 100,000 individuals. Consequently, the area's safety profile stands on par with the average city, neither significantly safer nor more dangerous. This consistency underscores a balanced commitment to community safety and security, providing residents with a stable and reassuring living environment.

Recently, vehicle thefts have seen an upward trend across the United States, and Spencer ranks among the cities with the highest vehicle theft rates in the country. Last year, there were 14 vehicle thefts, amounting to 421 stolen vehicles per 100,000 residents. This places Spencer within the worst 10% of all cities, indicating that 90% of cities fare better in terms of vehicle theft rates. The likelihood of your vehicle being stolen stands at 1 in 238.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Spencer?

AreaVibes surveyed 8 local residents in Spencer to gauge the safety of the area. Based on the results, 63% of people answered that there was very little crime in Spencer and that they felt very comfortable walking alone at night. Another 38% 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 Spencer a Safe Place to Live?

To determine if Spencer 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. Spencer has a total crime rate that is 0% lower than the national average per 100,000 residents. This results in a total of 0.21 daily crimes (0.03 violent daily crimes and 0.18 daily property crimes) in Spencer.

Has Crime in Spencer Increased Since Last Year?

Year-over-year crime data allows us to analyze short-term trends in crime activity. By comparing crime rates from one year to the next, we can identify patterns and shifts in Spencer crime rates. This information can be invaluable for residents looking to make informed decisions on where to live. When comparing the most recent year to the previous year, total crime in Spencer has decreased by 10.5% year over year. Violent crime has decreased by 9.1% and property crime has decreased by 10.7%.

Potential Causes for Crime in Spencer

Regions characterized by high population density frequently encompass expansive urban hubs that offer diverse economic prospects. In such areas, income inequality can be exacerbated, creating pockets of poverty alongside affluence. Economic disparities within these regions may correlate with elevated property crimes and, in certain instances, violent crimes. Conversely, areas with low population density numbers generally exhibit reduced Spencer crime rates. Spencer registers a population density of 1043.9 people per square mile, in contrast to the national average of 90.6 people per square mile.

In Spencer, 76.1% of residents have graduated from high school, whereas the national average stands at 83%. The educational makeup of a community 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.

Elevated rental costs can generate economic strain for both individuals and families, particularly those with restricted financial means. When a substantial proportion of one's income is allocated to housing costs, it often leaves limited resources for fulfilling other crucial necessities such as groceries, healthcare and education. This financial pressure can fuel desperation, potentially prompting individuals to resort to criminal actions, including theft or fraud, as a means of coping with their financial hardships. In Spencer, the average monthly rent stands at $889, while the national average is $949 per month.

Spencer crime map



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

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      Crime Quick Facts

      • Spencer crime rates are equal to the national average
      • Violent crimes in Spencer are 19% lower than the national average
      • In Spencer you have a 1 in 44 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Spencer is safer than 34% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Spencer has decreased by 12%

      Spencer, NC Crime Quiz

         

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        Daily Crime In Spencer (per 100,000 people)

        How Safe is Spencer (higher is better)

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Spencer

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Spencer is 1 in 333
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Spencer is 1 in 50
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Spencer is 1 in 44

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

        Spencer police department

        Item Spencer North Carolina National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)1314,511558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents4.04.83.3
        There are a total of 13 Spencer police officers. This results in 4.0 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 17.3% less than the North Carolina average and 21.5% 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
        Rockwell, NC2,090161818979
        Southmont, NC1,1651698591,028
        Granite Quarry, NC2,9731989261,125
        Enochville, NC3,3582031,0371,240
        Landis, NC3,1192101,0721,282
        Tyro, NC3,2392231,1341,357
        Cleveland, NC1,1471161,2761,392
        Spencer, NC3,2273012,0142,314

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Rural Hall, NC3,2272291,1651,393
        Lake Royale, NC3,2281939831,176
        Big Lake, TX3,2262651,4111,676
        Westville, IL3,2283571,3941,751
        Lake Success, NY3,22882328410
        Spencer, NC3,2273012,0142,314
        Source: The Spencer, 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.