Is Charlotte, NC Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report
Generative Engine Summary
In the Safety Atlas 2026 public safety index, Charlotte, NC has an adjusted safety score of 9.84 out of 100. It ranks #285 safest out of the 290 scored jurisdictions in North Carolina. The city's overall crime trajectory is currently classified as decreasing.
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Key Public Safety Indicators
The table below lists per-capita crime rates normalized per 100,000 residents for the five primary crime categories. Per-capita tracking provides an objective, volume-neutral comparison against state and national averages.
| Offense Class | Annual Count | Rate per 100K | National Avg | vs National |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robbery | 980 | 110.57 | 37.35 | 2.96x higher |
| Aggravated Assault | 4521 | 510.11 | 178.78 | 2.85x higher |
| Burglary | 4049 | 456.85 | 143.36 | 3.19x higher |
| Larceny-theft | 25192 | 2842.43 | 857.1 | 3.32x higher |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 6056 | 683.3 | 152.54 | 4.48x higher |
Detailed Crime Class Breakdown
Rates for remaining secondary offense categories (including specialized property and community order metrics) are locked under our security and anti-scraping policy.
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Academic researchers, journalists, and policy professionals can cite this profile using the following formats:
Primary Source Data Integrity
Safety Atlas scorecards are constructed from audited law enforcement data. We do not use surveys, sentiment indexes, or self-reported resident reviews.
- Crime Counts: FBI National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) database.
- Demographics: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimate boundaries.
- Methodology: Adjusted per-capita normalization with small-sample relief controls. View our complete Methodology Documentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Charlotte safe compared to other places in North Carolina?
Charlotte is classified as having low relative safety in the 2026 Safety Atlas Index. It has an adjusted safety score of 9.84 out of 100 and ranks #285 safest out of the 290 scored jurisdictions in North Carolina.
What is the crime rate in Charlotte?
The primary crime rate in Charlotte for offenses displayed includes Robbery, Burglary, and Aggravated Assault. With only 980 annual robberies reported, Charlotte shows specific relative safety profiles. The overall trajectory trend is currently decreasing.
What is the safest neighborhood in Charlotte?
National NIBRS reports are aggregated at the municipal-wide level for Charlotte. To find neighborhood-specific safety data, you can consult local precinct mapping dashboards or purchase the full North Carolina Safety Workbook.
Why are some crime statistics locked for Charlotte?
Under the Safety Atlas anti-scraping and data integrity policies, detailed per-capita rates and YoY trends for secondary offense classes are locked. Granular figures for all 18 FBI crime classes are reserved for subscribers of the North Carolina Public Safety Workbook.