According to Propertyclub, North Carolina is a state that is experiencing rapid growth, both in terms of its economy and the number of entertainment options available. However, not all areas within the state are equally desirable to live in. This article aims to shed light on the ten cities in North Carolina that have been identified as the worst places to live, based on their high rates of violent crime and overall level of danger.
10 Most Dangerous Cities in North Carolina
This Article Includes
-
- Lumberton
- Albemarle
- Reidsville
- Rockingham
- Gastonia
- Whiteville
- Greensboro
- Fayetteville
- Henderson
- Durham
1. Lumberton
Lumberton, located in Robeson County, is considered the most dangerous city in North Carolina. With a population of 19,025, it has a disproportionately high crime rate of 132.30 per 1,000 residents. This means that the chance of becoming a victim of a crime in Lumberton is 1 in 27, making it 435% more dangerous than the North Carolina average. While property crimes are the most common, violent crime is also a significant issue in the city. In 2021, the property crime rate stood at 122.21, while the violent crime rate was 20.18 per 1,000 people. It’s worth noting that much of the crime in Lumberton is directly linked to drug activity in the area.
2. Albemarle
Albemarle, located near the coast, is notorious for its high crime rate, making it one of the worst cities in North Carolina in terms of safety. With a population of 16,628, the city has a staggering crime rate of 6,588 per 100,000 people, which is 149% higher than the state average. This means that residents of Albemarle have a 1 in 16 chance of falling victim to a crime. The town faces various challenges like poverty, unemployment, and a low quality of life, all of which contribute to its alarming crime statistics. In 2022 alone, there were 156 violent crimes reported, including 6 murders, 17 robberies, and 121 assaults.
3. Reidsville
Reidsville, a city in North Carolina, stands as one of the most dangerous cities in the state. With a population of just 14,125 people, it boasts a crime rate of 56.71 per 1,000 individuals, making it 124% higher than the state average. Shockingly, residents face a 1 in 17 chance of falling victim to a violent crime. The majority of criminal activities in Reidsville revolve around property crimes, occurring at a rate of 47.25 per 1,000 people. In 2020 alone, the city witnessed 138 violent crimes, including 6 murders, 12 robberies, and 115 cases of assault.
4. Rockingham
Rockingham, a city with a population of 9,031, is unfortunately known for its incredibly high crime rate, making it one of the worst places to live in North Carolina. The crime rate in Rockingham stands at 5,556, which is 110% higher than the state average. Gangs and drug activity contribute significantly to the crime in this city. Disturbingly, there were 66 violent crimes reported in 2020, including 4 murders, 14 robberies, and 42 assaults. This is a disproportionately high number considering the city’s population. Additionally, property crime is a prevalent issue, with 410 incidents recorded in 2020 alone. Among these incidents were 110 burglaries and 16 cases of vehicle theft.
5. Gastonia
Gastonia, a city with a population of approximately 81,000 people, has a crime rate of 48.49 per 1,000 people. This rate is 113% higher than the national average in the United States. Consequently, residents face a 1 in 21 chance of becoming victims of violent crimes. In 2020 alone, there were 726 reported cases of violent crimes and 3,173 cases of property crimes. The violent crime category encompassed 9 murders, 142 robberies, and 556 assaults. Additionally, property crimes such as burglary and theft are prevalent throughout the city.
6. Whitevale
Whitevale, a city in North Carolina, is notorious for its alarming crime rates, making it one of the most dangerous cities in the area. Despite its relatively small population of 5,000, the chances of falling victim to a crime are as high as 1 in 6. The city is plagued by a significant number of property crimes, with an astonishing rate of 107.33 incidents per 1,000 people. Additionally, violent crime is a pressing concern, occurring at a rate of 17.2 per 1,000 people in 2022. It is worth noting that much of the crime in Whitevale is associated with drug-related activities.
7. Greensboro
Greensboro, a North Carolina city with a population of 298,263, is considered to be a dangerous place. The city’s crime rate stands at 4,513 per 100,000 people, making it 71% more dangerous than the national average. This means that, on average, residents have a 1 in 23 chance of falling victim to any type of crime. In 2020 alone, there were a total of 2,713 violent crimes reported, including 59 murders, 584 robberies, and 1,972 cases of assault. Property crimes were also alarmingly high, with 10,880 incidents reported, including numerous burglaries, thefts, and vehicle thefts.
8. Fayetteville
Fayetteville consistently ranks as one of the most dangerous cities in North Carolina due to its high crime rates. In 2022, there were 2,065 reported violent crimes and 7,240 property crimes in Fayetteville. The chances of becoming a victim of a violent crime are 1 in 100. During that year, there were 30 murders, 262 robberies, and 1,696 assaults. When it comes to property crimes, the chances of becoming a victim are 1 in 29 in Fayetteville. In 2022, there were 1,328 reported burglaries and 5,423 thefts in the city.
9. Henderson
Henderson, often referred to as the murder capital of North Carolina, is widely considered one of the most undesirable places to reside in the state. With a population of approximately 15,000, this city boasts an alarming violent crime rate of 20.12 incidents per 1,000 individuals, as well as 56.77 property crimes per 1,000 people. In the year 2020 alone, Henderson witnessed a staggering 303 instances of violent crime, which included 10 homicides, 41 robberies, and 246 assaults. These figures indicate an exceptionally high number of violent offenses, with the likelihood of falling victim to such crimes standing at 1 in 50. Moreover, the prevalence of property crimes is also distressing, as evidenced by the 855 reported incidents in 2020, which consisted of 244 burglaries and 70 cases of motor vehicle theft.
10. Durham
Durham, with a population of 285,527, has a crime rate of 4,597 per 100,000 people, which is 96% higher than the national average. In 2020, there were 2,455 violent crimes reported, including 36 murders, 627 robberies, and 1,665 assaults. The likelihood of falling victim to a violent crime in Durham is 1 in 115. Additionally, there were 11,040 incidents of violent crimes, almost 2,000 incidents of burglary, and over 8,000 incidents of theft in 2020. The probability of experiencing a property crime in Durham is 1 in 26.
