North Carolina

Raleigh

Raleigh is the state capital of North Carolina. A central city, it forms part of the Triangle with Durham and Chapel Hill. Raleigh is famed for its art, culture, and history – it’s home to both the North Carolina Museum of Art and the North Carolina State Capitol, which dates back to 1840.

Raleigh is just over half the size of Charlotte in terms of population, with almost 500,000 residents. And, when it comes to property crime statistics, the numbers generally follow that trend – being lower. In 2024, there were 1,362 burglaries, 10,088 cases of larceny, 2,355 motor vehicle thefts and 424 cases of robbery.

Plus, when it comes to crime rates, Raleigh has some of the lowest numbers across the state, too. So, you may well consider Raleigh one of the safest cities in NC.

Fayetteville

Fayetteville sits between Charlotte and the Atlantic coast in the central-south-eastern part of North Carolina. With a population of just over 200,000 people, Fayetteville is the second-smallest city in the state. It lies along the Cape Fear River and is rich in wildlife and outdoor pursuits – with the Cape Fear River Trail a popular spot for walkers and tourists. The Airborne & Special Operations Museum is also a highlight for history buffs.

In terms of property crime statistics, its lower numbers mirror its smaller population. In 2024, there were 824 burglaries, 4,963 larcenies, and 757 motor vehicle thefts.

it has roughly twice the number of burglaries as Asheville – which comes as no surprise, as it is double its size in population. In terms of crime rate data, it has the lowest number of crimes per 100,000 people for motor vehicle theft and has the second-lowest for robbery.

The statistics suggest that, though Fayetteville may not be the ‘safest’ city in North Carolina, its numbers align with its size and population.

Charlotte

Charlotte is the largest city in North Carolina. Home to almost 1 million, it sits centrally in the state and is near the border with South Carolina. Skyscrapers dominate the central Uptown area – with museums such as the Nascar Hall of Fame and the Mint Museum also illustrating the city’s historic streak. Sports fans also flock to see the Hornets and the Panthers.

Population-wise, Charlotte has over 400,000 more residents than the next biggest city, Raleigh. So, it’s no surprise that it has the highest number of reported crimes across burglary, larceny, motor vehicle theft and robbery. In 2024, there were 4,285 cases of burglary, 25,252 cases of larceny, 7,614 motor vehicle thefts and 1,307 cases of robbery.

However, its crime rates for burglary, larceny, motor vehicle theft and robbery are still relatively low when compared to its high population, and in comparison with other, smaller cities in the state.

Greensboro

Greensboro is north of Charlotte and Raleigh, and part of the Piedmont Triad with Winston-Salem and High Point. It’s home to over 300,000 people, and key attractions include the International Civil Rights Center and Museum. Here, you can learn about how the city played a key role in the history of the Civil Rights movement. Outdoor attractions include the Tanger Family Bicentennial Garden and the Greensboro Arboretum.

Greensboro has a lower population than Charlotte and Raleigh, but, in comparison, it experienced a higher number of offences in 2024 that cities like Raleigh, with 1,471 burglaries and 528 robberies.

When you look at the crime rates per 100,000 people, Greensboro also has the highest number of robberies and second-highest cases of larceny. So, when looking at this data set, you may consider Greensboro one of the most dangerous cities in North Carolina.

Asheville

Asheville is a picturesque city that lies north-west of Charlotte, in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains – in fact, Lonely Planet calls it the ‘undisputed capital of the North Carolina mountains’. One of the smaller cities in the state, Asheville is home to around 95,000 people. The top attraction is the Blue Ridge Parkway, which affords access to the nearby mountains, and the Biltmore Estate – built by railroad heir George Vanderbilt II.

With its smaller population size and its remote mountain village ‘feel’, it’s perhaps not surprising that Asheville has the lowest property crime numbers. In 2024, there were 579 burglaries, 2,835 cases of larceny, 324 motor vehicle thefts and 108 robberies.

However, the crime rate data tells a different story. Per 100,000 people, Asheville has the highest rate for burglary and larceny.

Wilmington

Wilmington is a vibrant coastal port city situated in southeastern North Carolina, between the Cape Fear River and the Atlantic Ocean—often referred to as the "Hollywood of the East" due to its extensive film history. The eighth-most populous city in the state, Wilmington is home to around 127,600 people. The top attractions are the mile-long Riverwalk, which affords views of the historic Battleship North Carolina, and Airlie Gardens—a 67-acre botanical garden featuring the centuries-old Airlie Oak.

With its coastal charm and historic district "feel," it’s perhaps surprising that Wilmington has seen recent record lows in specific crime categories. In 2024, there were 452 burglaries (the fewest since 2019), 3,563 cases of larceny, and 390 motor vehicle thefts.

However, the crime rate data tells a different story. Per 100,000 people, Wilmington has a property crime rate of 2,866, which is significantly higher than both the state average and the national average.