North Carolina’s economy is thriving and is a rapidly growing state that offers a variety of entertainment options. However, when it comes to living, there are certain areas that are better avoided. Based on violent crime rates and the level of danger, we have compiled a list of the top ten worst cities to live in North Carolina. So, if you’re planning to move to North Carolina, make sure to steer clear of these places.
10 Most Dangerous Cities in North Carolina
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- Lumberton
- Albemarle
- Reidsville
- Rockingham
- Gastonia
- Whiteville
- Greensboro
- Fayetteville
- Henderson
- Durham
1. Lumberton
Lumberton, a city located in Robeson County, has been identified as the most dangerous city in North Carolina. With a population of 19,025, the city has a crime rate of 132.30 per 1,000 residents, which is alarmingly high. 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. The majority of crimes reported in Lumberton are property crimes, with a rate of 122.21, while violent crimes are also a significant problem with a rate of 20.18 per 1,000 people in 2021. The root cause of the high crime rate in Lumberton is largely attributed to drug activity in the area.
2. Albemarle
Albemarle, situated near the coast, is among the cities in North Carolina with the highest crime rates. With a population of 16,628, the city’s crime rate of 6,588 per 100,000 individuals is 149% higher than the state average. Unfortunately, residents of Albemarle have a 1 in 16 chance of becoming a victim of a crime. The town’s high crime rate is linked to poverty, lack of employment opportunities, and poor quality of life. In 2022, Albemarle reported 156 violent crimes, including 6 murders, 17 robberies, and 121 assaults.
3. Reidsville
Reidsville, a city in North Carolina with a population of just 14,125 people, is considered one of the most dangerous cities in the state due to its high crime rate. With a crime rate of 56.71 per 1,000 people, Reidsville’s crime rate is 124% higher than the state average. Unfortunately, residents of Reidsville have an overall 1 in 17 chance of becoming a 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, the city recorded 138 violent crimes, including 6 murders, 12 robberies, and 115 counts of assault.
4. Rockingham
Rockingham, a city with a population of only 9,031, has an extremely high crime rate, making it one of the worst places to live in North Carolina. With a crime rate of 5,556, which is 110% higher 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, including 4 murders, 14 robberies, and 42 assaults, which is a disproportionately high amount. Property crime is also a major concern, with 410 incidents reported in 2020, including 110 burglaries and 16 cases of vehicle theft.
5. Gastonia
Gastonia, a city with a population of approximately 81,000 people, has a high crime rate of 48.49 per 1,000 people, which is 113% higher than the national average. The residents of Gastonia have a 1 in 21 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime. In 2020, the city experienced 726 violent crimes and 3,173 property crimes, including 9 murders, 142 robberies, and 556 assaults. Furthermore, property crimes such as burglary and theft are widespread in the city.
6. Whiteville
Whitevale, North Carolina, is notorious for its high crime rates, making it one of the most dangerous cities in the state. Despite having a small population of only 5,000, the likelihood of falling victim to a crime is as high as 1 in 6. Property crimes are the most common type of offenses committed in Whitevale, with a staggering rate of 107.33 per 1,000 people. Violence is also a major issue, with a rate of 17.2 per 1,000 people, as of 2022. Much of the criminal activity in Whitevale is linked to drug-related incidents.
7. Greensboro
With a population of 298,263, Greensboro is considered a dangerous city in North Carolina. The city’s crime rate of 4,513 per 100,000 people is 71% higher than the national average, meaning that residents have a 1 in 23 chance of falling victim to any type of crime. In 2020 alone, there were 2,713 violent crimes, including 59 murders, 584 robberies, and 1,972 assaults. Reports indicate that there were 10,880 property crimes in the same year, with frequent incidences of burglaries, thefts, and vehicle thefts.
8. Fayetteville
Fayetteville, North Carolina, is known for its high crime rates, making it one of the most dangerous cities in the state. In 2022 alone, there were 2,065 violent crimes and 7,240 property crimes reported. Shockingly, the chances of becoming a victim of a violent crime in Fayetteville are 1 in 100, with 30 murders, 262 robberies, and 1,696 counts of assault reported in the same year. The likelihood of experiencing a property crime is also high at 1 in 29, with 1,328 counts of burglary and 5,423 counts of theft reported in 2022.
9. Henderson
Henderson, North Carolina, has earned the unfortunate nickname of the murder capital of the state. It is considered one of the worst places to live in North Carolina, with a population of approximately 15,000 and alarmingly high crime rates. The city has a violent crime rate of 20.12 and 56.77 property crimes per 1,000 people, making it an unsafe place to call home. Shockingly, in 2020 alone, there were 303 incidents of violent crime, including 10 murders, 41 robberies, and 246 assaults, which is a disproportionately high number for a city of this size. The chance of becoming a victim of violent crime in Henderson is 1 in 50, which is a concerning statistic. Property crime is also rampant in the city, with 855 counts in 2020, including 244 burglaries and 70 incidents of motor vehicle theft.
10. Durham
Durham, with a population of 285,527, has a high crime rate of 4,597 per 100,000 individuals, which is 96% greater than the national average. In 2020, the city reported 2,455 violent crimes, including 36 murders, 627 robberies, and 1,665 assaults. The likelihood of becoming a victim of a violent crime in Durham is 1 in 115. Additionally, there were 11,040 incidents of violent crimes in 2020, with nearly 2,000 cases of burglary and over 8,000 thefts reported. The chance of falling prey to a property crime in Durham is 1 in 26.
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