NC · 10 cities
Dangerous neighborhoods in North Carolina
North Carolina recorded 334 violent crimes per 100,000 residents in 2025, close to the national rate and down 19% since 2022. Of the 10 cities we cover, Winston-Salem, Greensboro and Fayetteville have the highest rates and Cary the lowest. Each guide breaks down the specific blocks, transit points and hours where a little more attention pays off.
Charlotte
Raleigh
Cary
Concord
Durham
Fayetteville
Greensboro
High Point
Wilmington
Winston-SalemFBI data · 2025
Most dangerous cities in North Carolina, ranked
The 10 North Carolina cities we cover, ordered by their official violent crime rate: murders, rapes, robberies and aggravated assaults per 100,000 residents. 8 of 10 run above the state average of 334. A high citywide rate doesn't make a whole city unsafe: crime clusters in a few areas, and each guide above shows where.
- 1
Winston-Salem
745 violent crimes per 100k
2.2× the state average
- 2
Greensboro
704 violent crimes per 100k
2.1× the state average
- 3
Fayetteville
614 violent crimes per 100k
1.8× the state average
| # | City | Violent per 100k | Property per 100k | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Winston-Salem | 745 | 3,024 | 257,431 |
| 2 | Greensboro | 704 | 2,981 | 310,328 |
| 3 | Fayetteville | 614 | 2,831 | 209,151 |
| 4 | Charlotte | 559 | 3,417 | 1,035,037 |
| 5 | High Point | 521 | 1,973 | 119,581 |
| 6 | Durham | 507 | 3,599 | 307,140 |
| 7 | Wilmington | 406 | 2,915 | 127,752 |
| 8 | Raleigh | 395 | 2,305 | 508,719 |
| 9 | Concord | 117 | 931 | 114,348 |
| 10 | Cary2023 | 105 | 967 | 182,878 |
| North Carolina average | 334 | 1,815 | ||
| US average | 330 |
Safest cities in North Carolina we cover
At the other end of the list, these have the lowest violent crime rates of the 10 cities in this ranking.
- Cary105 per 100k · 74% below the state average
- Concord117 per 100k · 65% below the state average
- Raleigh395 per 100k · 1.2× the state average
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer, offenses reported by each city's police department per 100,000 residents; most cities use 2025 data, and a small year next to a name marks a different latest complete year. Only cities with a neighborhood guide are included, and years with incomplete reporting are left out. How we rank cities.
North Carolina crime: frequently asked questions
What is the most dangerous city in North Carolina?
Of the 10 North Carolina cities in our ranking, Winston-Salem has the highest violent crime rate: 745 offenses per 100,000 residents in 2025, 2.2 times the state average. Greensboro and Fayetteville come next. Even in Winston-Salem, crime is concentrated in a few areas, and our Winston-Salem guide shows which ones.
What is the safest city in North Carolina?
Among the cities we rank, Cary has the lowest violent crime rate, at 105 per 100,000 residents in 2023, 74% below the state average. Concord follows with 117. A low citywide rate doesn't mean every block is the same, but day-to-day risk is lower.
Is North Carolina safe to visit?
For most visitors, yes, with ordinary precautions. North Carolina recorded 334 violent crimes per 100,000 residents in 2025, close to the national rate of 330. Crime is concentrated in specific neighborhoods and hours rather than spread evenly, so knowing where those areas are matters more than the statewide figure; our 10 city guides cover them block by block.
Which North Carolina cities have above-average crime?
8 of the 10 cities we rank have a violent crime rate above the North Carolina average of 334 per 100,000 residents: Winston-Salem, Greensboro, Fayetteville, Charlotte, High Point, Durham, Wilmington and Raleigh. The other 2 are below it.
Is crime going up or down in North Carolina?
Violent crime in North Carolina went from 412 offenses per 100,000 residents in 2022 to 334 in 2025, down 19%. Property crime went from 2,102 to 1,815 over 2022–2025, down 14%.
Where do these crime figures come from?
From the FBI Crime Data Explorer, which collects the offenses reported by each police department. Rates are offenses per 100,000 residents, so cities of different sizes can be compared, and years with incomplete reporting are left out. Our methodology explains the details.