Top 10 Safest Cities in North Carolina

In case you can’t decide what kind of terrain you’d like to reside on, consider North Carolina, one of the 13 colonies. It offers mountain ranges, historical cities nestled along the foothills and barrier-island beaches. In its early days, all those inlets made it a magnet for pirates. The most famous was Blackbeard, who had a host of key hideouts, but fortunately, the days of swashbuckling pirates are in the past.

That’s not to say that crime vanished when Blackbeard met his fate. The state currently has a population of 10.5 million and ranks as the ninth most populous state in the nation. With this many people, crime is inevitable. Still, its violent crime rate of 364 incidents per 100,000 people is still below the national rate of 383.

Businesses are thriving in North Carolina; Forbes voted it the most business-friendly state in the country and best state for business for three consecutive years. After New York City, Charlotte holds the title of the nation’s second-largest banking center. With the terrain and the business climate being so favorable, it’s no surprise that many have decided to call the Tar Heel State home. It is also a great destination for retirees. Take a look at the 10 safest cities that you may want to call home.

The Top 10 Safest Cities in North Carolina

1. Holly Springs

• Population: 31,827
• Violent Crimes Per Capita: 51.3
• Nonviolent Crimes Per Capita: 610.7
• Most Common Crime: Property and Larceny
• 70% Below National Crime Rate

As its name suggests, the city emerged where holly trees and fresh springs intersected. A perfect place to meet the locals and buy fresh products in this quaint town is the farmers market. And history buffs may feel like they have stepped back into the days of the Civil War with several buildings and homes still dating to the era. Also, take a look at the brand new homes available in Holly Springs.

2. Pinehurst

• Population: 15,580
• Violent Crimes Per Capita: 92.5
• Nonviolent Crimes Per Capita: 474.9
• Most Common Crime: Property and Larceny
• 70% Below National Crime Rate

Golfing legends know this city well; it’s been the site of three U.S. Opens and number four takes place in 2024. The town’s low crime rate and lush landscaping make it a serene place to call home. In 2014 Pinehurst was awarded the honor of “The Safest Place to Live in North Carolina” for the second consecutive year.  Be sure to check out all the new homes in the Pinehurst area.

3. Cary

• Population: 159,715
• Violent Crimes Per Capita: 61.6
• Nonviolent Crimes Per Capita: 795.8
• Most Common Crime: Property and Larceny
• 60% Below National Crime Rate

According to demographics, Cary is a magnet for Yankees (and other parts of the country, for that matter). A major reason is the city’s ideal placement: In the span of one day, you can be at the beach or atop a mountain. Its education system is another reason. The public schools are some of the best in the nation, with a 9.5/10 rank. Collegiately, Cary is just down the road from Duke University, the University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill and NC State University, putting it right inside the important Research Triangle. Come find your dream home in Cary today.

4. Davidson

• Population: 12,325
• Violent Crimes Per Capita: 92.6
• Nonviolent Crimes Per Capita: 818.3
• Most Common Crime: Property and Larceny
• 58% Below National Crime Rate

Sitting outside Charlotte, Davidson is an affluent lakeside town with the median household income well surpassing $100,000, and home values sitting at almost $400,000. An attributing factor of living here could be the 97 percent high school graduation rate. A plus for this well-kept, safe city is that 100 percent of the locals say it’s pet-friendly. Lake Norman is a main draw, and the town is home to many NASCAR drivers. Looking to move to Davidson, take a look at the new homes available.

5. Boone

• Population: 18,493
• Violent Crimes Per Capita: 92.2
• Nonviolent Crimes Per Capita: 1,178
• Most Common Crime: Property and Larceny
• 39% Below National Crime Rate

This beautiful town rests high on the spine of the Appalachian Mountains and is home to Appalachian State University. Historical Boone derives its name from the famous Daniel Boone and offers spectacular mountain views and plenty of fresh air. This sweet spot is also known as one of the best outdoor adventure destinations in the Southeast and we see why: The average summer temperature is a refreshing 76 degrees. Boone is also home to a number of beautiful new home communities.

6. Fletcher

• Population: 7,737
• Violent Crimes Per Capita: 59.6
• Nonviolent Crimes Per Capita: 726.9
• Most Common Crime: Property
• 38% Below National Crime Rate

Fletcher is a small community that offers a suburban-rural mix feel and is home to many young professionals. Here, the real estate is promising, attracting a lot of new home construction, with the median home value around $200,000. Home prices have been on an upward trajectory — up 7 percent — in the past decade. Parents are delighted that the great schools have a student to teacher ratio is 18:1, which is much better than the national average.  

7. Apex

• Population: 45,899
• Violent Crimes Per Capita: 95.1
• Nonviolent Crimes Per Capita: 1,097.4
• Most Common Crime: Property and Larceny
• 47% Below National Crime Rate

The town motto of Apex is “The Peak of Good Living.” It’s a historical town with parks recognized by the National Register of Historic Places. You can enjoy the small-town theatre and artwork or travel a tad south to take a ride on the restored historic steam engines of the North Carolina Railway Museum. Locals are enchanted with the pace of life in Apex and give high marks to the mild weather, ripe employment opportunities, robust school system and safe, quiet, brand new neighborhoods.

8. Wake Forest

• Population: 38,473
• Violent Crimes Per Capita: 110.6
• Nonviolent Crimes Per Capita: 1,302
• Most Common Crime: Property and Larceny
• 58% Below National Crime Rate

Wake Forest’s biggest claim to fame is that it was the home to the university bearing the same name — until the school relocated to Winston-Salem more than 60 years ago. Still, residents are extremely content to live in this suburb north of Raleigh, full of options for brand new homes. Wake Forest residents boast of the ability to walk just about anywhere, especially to the city’s farmers market that’s open year-round.

9. Winterville

• Population: 9,488
• Violent Crimes Per Capita: 144.2
• Nonviolent Crimes Per Capita: 638.4
• Most Common Crime: Property
• 41% Below National Crime Rate

Who wouldn’t want to live in a city where there’s a street called Primrose Lane? With activities like Captain Jack Miniature Golf, Stumpy’s Hatchet House or Riverside Recreation in nearby Greenville, you don’t have to travel far to have a great time. And Winterville’s unemployment rate is a low 4 percent, with the median home listed at just over $150,000, so tidy up those resumes and start looking for your new home in Winterville!

10. Gibsonville

• Population: 6,845
• Violent Crimes Per Capita: 152.9
• Nonviolent Crimes Per Capita: 486.6
• Most Common Crime: Property
• 56% Below National Crime Rate

Welcome to the “City of Roses”! Only 17 miles from Greensboro, it’s one of North Carolina’s best-kept secrets. Strolling along the fence line at Minneola Mill, you’ll find an abundance of vibrantly colored rose bushes, and the residents are still planting more. Along with its beauty, Gibsonville is family-friendly; every summer the Downtown Greens features Market Days. The community comes together for music, kid’s activities and great food that will please even the most finicky eater. If you are thinking of moving here, be sure to take a look at new home construction in Gibsonville.

All data are taken from FBI U.S. crime statistics.

Heather Allen

Heather Allen is a freelance writer who began her career 20 years ago at a small Texas NBC affiliate, while attending SFASU. She’s written blogs on a diverse range of topics.