F
276%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
31%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
322%
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 peopleWest Jefferson/100k peopleNorth Carolina/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime108n/a (estimate)8,7312,4692,324
Murder0n/a0.08.16.3
Rape2n/a161.730.540.0
Robbery0n/a0.054.966.1
Assault4n/a323.4311.6268.2
Violent crime6n/a (estimate)485405370
Burglary15n/a1,212.6370.8269.8
Theft86n/a6,952.31,494.01,401.9
Vehicle theft1n/a80.8199.3282.7
Property crime102n/a (estimate)8,2462,0641,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in West Jefferson, NC

When we analyze the latest crime report, the West Jefferson crime rate is 275.7% higher 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 West Jefferson, there were 6 reported violent crimes, equivalent to 485 per 100,000 individuals, 31.2% higher than the national average. Additionally, West Jefferson recorded 102 property crimes, amounting to 8246 per 100,000 residents, 321.9% higher than the U.S. average.

In West Jefferson, the crime rate stands at 8731 per 100,000 residents, surpassing the national average by 275.65%. This places the city among those with some of the highest total crime rates nationwide. However, it's important to recognize that this doesn't imply that the entire city is unsafe. As with any urban area, there are neighborhoods in West Jefferson that exhibit varying levels of safety, emphasizing the need for localized crime prevention efforts and community involvement to create a safe environment across the entire city.

During the most recently reported crime year, West Jefferson 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.

With a property crime rate of 8246 crimes per 100,000 people, West Jefferson 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 West Jefferson is alarmingly high, estimated at 1 in 13, 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 West Jefferson?

What is the prevailing sentiment among West Jefferson residents regarding the state of crime? A comprehensive survey conducted by AreaVibes, involving 13 respondents, sheds light on this matter. The results were as follows: 92% of West Jefferson 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, 8% of those surveyed held a contrasting viewpoint, perceiving a higher incidence of crime, leading them to feel apprehensive about walking alone at night.

Is West Jefferson a Safe Place to Live?

To get a feel for the safety of living in West Jefferson, it's essential to analyze both the overall crime rate and the daily incident count. West Jefferson presents a total crime rate that is 276% higher than the national average per 100,000 residents. Consequently, West Jefferson experiences an average of 0.3 daily crimes, comprising 0.02 violent incidents and 0.28 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 West Jefferson Increased Since Last Year?

In the most recent crime report, year-over-year crime rates in West Jefferson has increased by 35%. Examining the change in crime rates from one year to the next provides valuable insights into the evolving safety landscape of West Jefferson, 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 50%, while property crime has increased by 34.2%. This comprehensive analysis offers potential residents essential information for making informed decisions about whether or not West Jefferson is a safe place to live.

Potential Causes for Crime in West Jefferson

The economic well-being of a city's residents plays a significant role in crime rates. High poverty rates and income inequality can lead to increased crime stats as individuals may resort to illegal activities to meet their basic needs. While lower rates could lead to a lower West Jefferson crime rate. The poverty level in West Jefferson is 16.3%, while the national average is 15.1%.

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 West Jefferson, 72.9% of residents have achieved at least a high school diploma, which differs from the national average of 83%.

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. West Jefferson has a median home price of $144,700, 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.

West Jefferson crime map



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

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      Crime Quick Facts

      • West Jefferson crime rates are 276% higher than the national average
      • Violent crimes in West Jefferson are 31% higher than the national average
      • In West Jefferson you have a 1 in 12 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • West Jefferson is safer than 8% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in West Jefferson has increased by 43%

      West Jefferson, NC Crime Quiz

         

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        Daily Crime In West Jefferson (per 100,000 people)

        How Safe is West Jefferson (higher is better)

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in West Jefferson

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in West Jefferson is 1 in 207
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in West Jefferson is 1 in 13
        The chance of being a victim of crime in West Jefferson is 1 in 12

        Year Over Year Crime In West Jefferson (per 100,000 people)

        West Jefferson police department

        Item West Jefferson North Carolina National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)714,511558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents5.44.83.3
        There are a total of 7 West Jefferson police officers. This results in 5.4 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 12.2% greater than the North Carolina average and 64.8% 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
        Cove Creek, NC1,087128655783
        Millers Creek, NC1,4611839311,113
        Jefferson, NC1,609661,5101,576
        Boone, NC19,4661111,5271,638
        Lansing, NC2785642,8743,438
        West Jefferson, NC1,7674858,2468,731

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        San Felipe Pueblo, NM1,7674531,7342,187
        Ogden, IA1,767134623757
        Inglis, FL1,768125757882
        Clintondale, NY1,768137550687
        Clarksville, VA1,766110796905
        West Jefferson, NC1,7674858,2468,731
        Source: The West Jefferson, 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.