The skyline of Raleigh, North Carolina

Raleigh, North Carolina

Date all data was sourced: 01/08/2026

How safe is Raleigh, NC

If you live in Raleigh or are planning on moving there, it’s important to be aware of the local crime situation. You may well ask yourself: How safe is Raleigh, NC? Our analysis of FBI data shows that reported cases of burglary, larceny and motor vehicle theft increased between 2022 and 2023. Read on to learn more about different types of property crime and discover what the crime rate is in Raleigh, North Carolina.

01.

What is property crime?

The FBI categorizes property crime as including burglary, larceny-theft, and motor vehicle theft. It defines these as ‘theft-type offenses’, i.e. property stolen from a victim unlawfully but without force or threat of force. The FBI categorizes robbery as a violent crime, but it’s also included in the property crime dataset we’re utilizing.

Before we get to Raleigh, what’s happening at state level?

The FBI Crime Data Explorer reveals how property crime compared across North Carolina between 2022 and 2023:
Crime202220232024
Burglary / breaking entering38,87337,07534,639
Larceny / theft offenses157,066154,591149,498
Motor vehicle theft20,87328,22227,455

Reported cases of burglary fell by 2,436 between 2023 and 2024, while cases of larceny fell by 5,093. Motor vehicle theft also trended downward by 767 cases over the 12-month period.

Burglary

Burglary is the unlawful entry to someone’s property to commit a felony or theft. This generally happens in someone’s home or on business premises.

Reported burglary cases

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Reported cases of burglary reached 1,515 in Raleigh in 2023, compared with 1,362 cases in 2024. This is a year-on-year decrease of 153.

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The Raleigh, NC, crime rate for burglary in 2023 was 303 per 100,000 people. This compares with 272 per 100,000 people in 2024.

Larceny

Larceny is illegally taking, moving, or carrying away someone else's property without permission. Though if being taken from someone’s home the person must have entered lawfully.

Reported larceny cases

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Reported cases of larceny reached 9,183 in Raleigh in 2023, compared with 10,088 cases in 2024. This is a year-on-year increase of 905.

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The Raleigh crime rate for larceny in 2023 was 1,837 per 100,000 people. This compares with 2,018 per 100,000 people in 2024.

Motor vehicle theft

Motor vehicle theft is stealing or attempting to steal a motor vehicle, such as an automobile or pickup.

Reported motor vehicle theft cases

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Reported cases of motor vehicle theft reached 1,908 in Raleigh in 2023, compared with 2,355 cases in 2024. This is a year-on-year increase of 447.

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The Raleigh crime rate for motor vehicle theft in 2023 was 382 per 100,000 people. This compares with 471 per 100,000 people in 2024.

Robbery

Robbery is the taking of, or trying to take, something valuable from another person using force, threats, or intimidation.

Reported robbery cases

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Reported cases of robbery reached 424 in Raleigh in 2023, compared with 424 cases in 2024.

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The Raleigh crime rate for robbery in 2023 was 85 per 100,000 people. This surprisingly compares with 85 per 100,000 people in 2024.

Between March 2020 and December 2023, we can see a total of:

33,265

total larcenies in Raleigh

10,759

accounted for auto

8,395

accounted for other

8,460

accounted for shoplifting

2,210

accounted for auto accessories

2,349

accounted from buildings

594

accounted from bicycles

When it comes to burglary during that same three-year period, we can see a total of:

5,407

cases of burglary in Raleigh

1,838

happened at residences during the day

1,356

happened at residences at night

669

happened at non-residences during the day

1,544

happened at non-residences at night

The impact of being a victim in property crime

Whatever the type of property crime you fall victim to, it can have a lasting impact. Whether this is on your mental health or simply going through the process of recovering and replacing items, it can take time to recover.

The medical journal Sage Choice published a study that found people who experienced burglaries can be left with emotional trauma. The researchers believe this happens due to the fact someone has intruded into a space where individuals feel safe.

Crime – whether it happens in your home or on the street – can leave you in distress. In fact, the Office for Victims of Crime found that victims of robbery reported having problems at work and school, and began arguing more with family due to subsequent trust issues. Unfortunately, people across Raleigh and North Carolina are affected by such crimes.

How is property crime affecting people in Raleigh?

As the capital city of North Carolina, Raleigh is a hub for communities, cultures and businesses. With a population of just under 500,000 in 2024, according to the United States Census Bureau, it is the second-most populus city in the state – behind Charlotte. Raleigh is known for being a cultural melting pot, with its many museums and historical sites like Oakwood attracting visitors across the country.

For residents, Raleigh is a vibrant city with a famously strong business market. Properties range from condos and townhouses to suburban homes, meaning the city is home to young professionals and families alike. But how safe is Raleigh, NC, for you and your family?

Whether you’re Downtown, or in North Hills or Mordecai, you’ll likely want to know how best to keep your home safe and to get an idea of crime in your neighborhood, for example through crime stats. Below, we explore some of the most common crimes in Raleigh. We’ll be comparing year-on-year FBI data for 2022 to 2024, so you can get a better picture of crime trends.

02.

How Raleigh Police Department is Working to Prevent Property Crime

Want to know more about Raleigh crime news and general police safety measures to tackle crime in your neighborhood? We’ve grouped some some recent initiatives from the Raleigh Police.

Crime Prevention Unit

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Want to know more about what police are doing to tackle crime in your neighborhood and make Raleigh safe for families like yours? Learn about initiatives by the Raleigh Police Department to bring the down the crime rate in this part of North Carolina.


Call when you can, text when you can’t

In Raleigh and Wake County, you can contact the police department by text if you’re unable to call. This could be a safer option if you find yourself being burgled, for example, and want to stay concealed. Their text service also allows you to send them photos and videos to better detail crimes and collect evidence.


ReadyWake!

ReadyWake! Is an alert service that warns residents should a public safety incident happen. This service better connects local communities, keeping everyone aware of any incidents. They also provide information on being prepared in the event of an emergency.


Big Ideas Meetups

The Raleigh Big Ideas Meetups are community gatherings that encourage people to discuss the city’s challenges and come together to try to find solutions. The idea is to get a range of faces to collaborate, from business leaders and community representatives to regular residents. Learn more about the Raleigh Police Department’s services

03.

How does Raleigh’s crime rate compare to other cities in North Carolina?

To give you an idea of how Raleigh stacks up against other cities across the state, we’ve compiled the data for the different types of property crime in 2023.

CityPopulationBurglaryLarcenyMotor Vehicle TheftRobbery
Raleigh499,8251,36210,0882,355424
Charlotte943,4764,28525,2527,6141,307
Greensboro307,3811,4717,0421,802528
Fayetteville209,4968244,963757219
"Across Raleigh, we can see local people are having to deal with the impact of being burgled or having their car stolen. This is exactly why we’re so passionate about offering reassurance to North Carolina natives. If you’re looking for further support outside of implementing a security system, we recommend you follow the Raleigh Police Department’s advice on keeping your home safe."

- Dan Hochstaetter, Head of Digital Customer Experience, CPI Security

04.

Emergency Services in Raleigh

Raleigh Police Department

6716 Six Forks Road, Raleigh, NC 27615

Estella D. Patterson

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05.

How to protect your home against property crime

Homeowners can take steps to protect their property against crimes such as burglary, motor vehicle theft and larceny with a home security system in Raleigh. Systems comprise cameras, motion sensors and alarms – all controlled via a central hub and smartphone app.
Raleigh's Crime Hub Page Updates
DateDetails
9/3/2025All crime data statistics updated
01/08/2026All crime data statistics updated

* This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by any government agency. The data on this website is aggregated from publicly available sources. We cannot guarantee the completeness or reliability of the information. The data is provided "as is" without any warranties, express or implied. We are not responsible for any errors, omissions, or damages arising from the use of this information. Users should verify data with original sources.