Is North Carolina Dangerous?
North Carolina is slighty more dangerous than the national average, having a crime rate of 2,469 per 100,000 residents. The violent crime rate in North Carolina is approximately 9% higher than the US average, with slightly higher murder and assault rates. As with most cities, the most dangerous areas in North Carolina are its larger, more urban cities.
Read on to discover the ten worst cities to live in North Carolina based on violent crime rates and how dangerous they are.
10 Most Dangerous Cities in North Carolina
- Lumberton
- Albemarle
- Reidsville
- Rockingham
- Gastonia
- Whiteville
- Greensboro
- Fayetteville
- Henderson
- Durham
1. Lumberton
The most dangerous city in North Carolina is Lumberton. Located in Robeson County, Lumberton has a population of 19,025 and a crime rate of 13,334 per 1,000 residents, which is disproportionately high. The chance of becoming a victim of a crime is 1 in 27, making the city 435% more dangerous than the North Carolina average. Violent crime is a problem in Lumberton, while property crimes are the most common. The property crime rate is 11,315 per 100,000, and the violent crime rate is 2,019 per 100,000 people in 2023. Much of the crime in Lumberton is directly associated with drug activity in the area.
2. Albemarle
Albemarle is also one of the worst cities in North Carolina when it comes to crime. Located near the coast, Albemarle has a population of 16,628 and a crime rate of 6,588 per 100,000 people making the crime rate 149% higher than the state average. Residents have approximately a 1 in 16 chance of becoming the victim of a crime. Albemarle has many issues stemming from poverty, lack of employment, and quality of life, which contribute to the town’s crime rate. In 2023 the town had 156 violent crimes, including 6 murders, 17 robberies, and 121 assaults.
3. Reidsville
Another one of the most dangerous cities in North Carolina is Reidsville. It has a population of just 14,125 people and a crime rate of 56.71 per 1,000 people making the crime rate 124% higher than North Carolina. Residents have an overall 1 in 17 chance of becoming the victim of a violent crime. Most of the crime in Reidsville is related to property crime which occurs at a rate of 47.25 per 1,000 people. In 2020 there were 138 violent crimes, including 6 murders, 12 robberies, and 115 counts of assault.
4. Rockingham
Rockingham is also one of the worst places to live in North Carolina due to its extremely high crime rate. Although the city only has a population of 9,031, the crime rate is 5,556, making it 110% more dangerous than the North Carolina average. Much of the crime in Rockingham can be attributed to gangs and drug activity. In 2020 there were 66 violent crimes, with 4 murders, 14 robberies, and 42 assaults- a disproportionately high amount. Property crime is also a problem, with 410 incidents in 2020, including 110 burglaries and 16 counts of vehicle theft.
5. Gastonia
With a population of around 81,000 people, Gastonia has a crime rate of 48.49 per 1,000 people, making the city 113% higher than the US average. Residents have an overall 1 in 21 chance of becoming the victim of a violent crime. In 2020 there were 726 violent crimes and 3,173 property crimes. Of the violent crime figure, there were 9 murders, 142 robberies, and 556 assaults. Property crimes like burglary and theft are rampant in the city as well.
6. Whiteville
Whitevale is one of the most dangerous cities in North Carolina due to its extremely high crime rates. Although it only has a population of 5,000, the chances of becoming the victim of a crime are 1 in 6. The vast majority of crimes in Whiteville are property crimes which occur at a staggering rate of 107.33 per 1,000 people. Violent crime is also a major issue, occurring at a rate of 17.2 per 1,000 people in 2022. Much of the crime in Whiteville is related to drug activity.
7. Greensboro
Greensboro is a dangerous North Carolina city with a population of 298,263. The city has a crime rate of 4,513 per 100,000 people, making it 71% more dangerous than the national average. On average, residents have a 1 in 23 chance of becoming the victim of any type of crime. In 2020, there were 2,713 violent crimes, including 59 murders, 584 robberies, and 1,972 counts of assault. 10,880 property crimes were reported in 2020, with rampant burglaries, thefts, and vehicle theft.
8. Fayetteville
Fayetteville consistently ranks as one of the most dangerous cities in North Carolina due to its high crime rates. In 2022, Fayetteville had 2,065 violent crimes reported and 7,240 property crimes. The chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime is 1 in 100. In 2022, there were 30 murders, 262 robberies, and 1,696 counts of assault. The chance of becoming the victim of a property crime is 1 in 29 in Fayetteville, with 1,328 counts of burglary and 5,423 counts of theft in 2022.
9. Henderson
Often dubbed the murder capital of North Carolina, Henderson is easily one of the worst places to live in NC. With a population of around 15,000, the city has a violent crime rate of 20.12 and 56.77 property crimes per 1,000 people. In 2023 there were 309 incidents of violent crime, including 10 murders, 41 robberies, and 246 assaults- a disproportionately high number. The chance of becoming the victim of a violent crime is 1 in 50. Property crime is also rampant, with 855 counts in 2020, including 244 burglaries and 70 incidents of motor vehicle theft.
10. Durham
Out of a population of 285,527, Durham has a crime rate of 4,597 per 100,00 people, making the city 96% higher than the national average. In 2022 the number of violent crimes was 2,455, with 36 murders, 627 robberies, and 1,665 assaults. The chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime is 1 in 115. Crimes in 2023 totaled 11,040 incidents, with almost 2,000 incidents of burglary and over 8,000 incidents of theft. The chance of becoming a victim of a property crime is 1 in 26.
Most Dangerous Cities in North Carolina Bottom Line
While North Carolina keeps growing, the cities on this list are lagging behind when it comes to crime. Many of these cities, like Durham and Greensboro, continue to grow despite high crime rates in certain areas. If you are considering relocating, properly researching the crime rates in the area you are considering will greatly help your transition.
Remember that overall, North Carolina is not typically considered significantly more dangerous than other states, but it's crucial to exercise caution and be aware of your surroundings, especially in areas where crime rates are high.