North Carolina is known for its stunning mountain landscapes, beautiful coastline, vibrant cities, and rich cultural traditions. From the fast-growing neighborhoods of Charlotte to the scenic beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the state attracts millions of visitors and new residents every year.
While North Carolina offers a high quality of life in many communities, crime remains a concern in certain areas. Recent crime statistics reveal that some cities continue to experience significantly higher violent crime rates than the state average, highlighting ongoing public safety challenges.
Quick Guide
- State: North Carolina
- Ranking Method: Violent crimes per 100,000 residents
- Includes: Assault, robbery, rape, and homicide statistics
- Data Focus: Violent crime rates
- Key Finding: Several cities report violent crime rates significantly above the North Carolina average
- Important Note: Crime rates can vary widely by neighborhood, and many areas within these cities remain safe places to live and visit
- Source: areavibes
Local governments, law enforcement agencies, and community organizations across North Carolina are working to improve safety through crime prevention programs, neighborhood partnerships, and increased community engagement. Understanding crime trends can help residents and visitors make informed decisions while also recognizing that many neighborhoods within these cities remain safe and welcoming.
10. Salisbury
- Population: 35,060
- 960 violent crimes per 100k
- violent crimes per day: 2.63
- chance of being a victim: 1 in 104
- Total Crimes / 100k: 4,947
Rounding out our list at #10 is Salisbury, NC. With a population of 35,060 and a violent crime rate of 960 per 100,000 people (155% higher than the North Carolina average), some parts of Salisbury are incredible unsafe.
The violent crime rate consists of 727 counts of assault, 145 counts of robbery, 57 counts of rape and 30 counts of homicide. Residents can expect to have a 1 in 104 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime.
9. Roxboro
- Population: 8,517
- 1,008 violent crimes per 100k
- violent crimes per day: 2.76
- chance of being a victim: 1 in 99
- Total Crimes / 100k: 4,517
Economic conditions, education, social environment, law enforcement and urbanization can all have an impact on crime rates. Feeling the effects of most of those issues, Roxboro, NC comes in as the 9th most dangerous city in North Carolina with a violent crime rate of 1,008 per 100,000 people.
If we break that down, the city sees 2.76 violent crimes per day and residents have a 1 in 99 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime.
8. Shelby
- Population: 20,722
- 1,044 violent crimes per 100k
- violent crimes per day: 2.86
- chance of being a victim: 1 in 96
- Total Crimes / 100k: 3,477
Shelby, NC is another one of the most dangerous cities in North Carolina and tops the list at #8. The city has a population of 20,722 and a violent crime rate of 1,044 per 100,000 people.
Of those crimes, there were 894 counts of assault, 77 counts of robbery, 50 counts of rape and 23 counts of homicide. All told, the Shelby violent crime rate is 178% higher than the North Carolina average.
7. Selma
- Population: 7,159
- 1,049 violent crimes per 100k
- violent crimes per day: 2.87
- chance of being a victim: 1 in 95
- Total Crimes / 100k: 3,437
A 1 in 95 chance of becoming a victim of crime and 2.87 violent crimes per day – those are some fairly good reasons why Selma makes the list at #7. According to the most recent annual crime report, there were 1,049 violent crimes per 100,000 people, which translates to a violent crime rate that is 179% higher than the North Carolina average.
The number of violent crimes takes into account the following categories: assault (897), robbery (110), rape (41) and homicide (0).
6. Goldsboro
- Population: 35,716
- 1,076 violent crimes per 100k
- violent crimes per day: 2.95
- chance of being a victim: 1 in 93
- Total Crimes / 100k: 6,940
Goldsboro, NC comes in at number 6 on our list, with a violent crime rate of 1,076 per 100,000 people, which is 186% higher than the North Carolina average. Goldsboro has a population of 35,716, which translates to 2.95 crimes per day and 1 in 93 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime.
As with most cities, a high violent crime rate does not mean that all areas are unsafe, as there are definitely some areas in Goldsboro which are much safer than others.
5. Williamston
- Population: 5,441
- 1,161 violent crimes per 100k
- violent crimes per day: 3.18
- chance of being a victim: 1 in 86
- Total Crimes / 100k: 7,569
The ongoing battle with crime in Williamston, NC, is not a new issue – which is why there’s no surprise that this city has made the list. With a violent crime rate of 1,161 and a 1 in 86 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime (per 100,000 people), Williamston has a violent crime rate that is 209% higher than the North Carolina average.
Higher than average poverty and unemployment rates as well as a lack of available well-paying jobs, are most likely all contributing to the high rate of violent crime in Williamston.
4. Lumberton
- Population: 21,466
- 1,677 violent crimes per 100k
- violent crimes per day: 4.59
- chance of being a victim: 1 in 60
- Total Crimes / 100k: 11,621
With a violent crime rate that is 346% higher than the North Carolina average, it’s not hard to see why Lumberton made the list. The city reported crime (per 100,000 residents) in the following categories: robbery (299), assault (1,252), rape (73) and homicide (52).
In regions where employment opportunities are scarce or where many jobs offer insufficient wages, the risk of increased unemployment and homelessness rises, this could be just some of the triggers that make Lumberton more vulnerable to high crime.
3. Henderson
- Population: 15,653
- 1,792 violent crimes per 100k
- violent crimes per day: 4.91
- chance of being a victim: 1 in 56
- Total Crimes / 100k: 7,592
Home to 15,653 residents, Henderson, NC ranks #3 on the list of most dangerous cities in North Carolina. Unfortunately for residents of Henderson, crime is widespread, with more than 1,792 violent crimes per 100,000 people reported last year.
When the numbers are analyzed, this translates to a staggering 4.91 crimes per day and a violent crime rate that is 377% higher than the North Carolina violent crime rate.
2. Laurinburg
- Population: 15,444
- 1,894 violent crimes per 100k
- violent crimes per day: 5.19
- chance of being a victim: 1 in 53
- Total Crimes / 100k: 6,936
The second most dangerous city is Laurinburg. With a population of 15,444 and a violent crime rate that is 404% higher than the North Carolina average, the city has seen better days.
The higher than average crime rates in Laurinburg are not new, as violent crime has been a serious issue for many years and topped 1,894 violent crimes per 100,000 people in the last calendar year. In some areas, the riks are greater than others, as residents have a 1 in 53 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime.
1. Wadesboro
- Population: 5,482
- 2,037 violent crimes per 100k
- violent crimes per day: 5.58
- chance of being a victim: 1 in 49
- Total Crimes / 100k: 9,391
Wadesboro, NC holds the distinction of being the #1 most dangerous city in North Carolina with 2,037 violent crimes per 100,000 people. The area continues to struggle with elevated assault (1,732), robbery (183), rape (61) and homicide (61) rates, as the violent crime rate comes in at 442% higher than the North Carolina average.
Contributing to these numbers could be the higher than average rates of poverty, unemployment, and gang activity. Ongoing efforts from local law enforcement and the community have been created to help reduce the crime rates going forward.
Final Thoughts
While these cities report some of North Carolina’s highest violent crime rates, crime statistics tell only part of the story. Many residents live, work, and raise families in these communities every day, and ongoing efforts by local leaders, law enforcement, and community organizations continue to focus on creating safer neighborhoods for everyone.
Understanding crime trends can help residents and visitors make informed decisions while also recognizing the positive changes taking place throughout many North Carolina communities.
