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D+

Is Asheville, North Carolina Safe?

Population 93,523 · Safer than 21% of US cities

Stable· 2023 FBI UCR data

Asheville earns a D+ safety grade with 251.1 crimes per 1,000 residents. Violent crime runs close to the national average, putting the city behind 79% of US cities. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,594 per 100K.

Asheville Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricAshevilleNorth Carolina AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate310.6317.9363.8
Property Crime Rate2200.42053.51,832.3
Murder Rate6.0--5.7
Assault Rate212.0--268.2
Theft Rate1594.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate442.0--318.3

All rates per 100,000 residents. 2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report + Census Bureau population estimates.

Overall SafetyD+

251.1 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC

311/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD

2200/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Asheville

Violent crime in Asheville is close to the national average. The rate of 310.6 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2200.4 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,594 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Asheville Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder6
01.1x national avgAvg: 5.7
Assault212
079% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery34
054% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary399
01.5x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,594
01.1x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft442
01.4x national avgAvg: 318.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. Vertical marker = national average.

How Asheville Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Asheville
310.6
State
317.9
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Asheville
2200.4
State
2053.5
National
1832.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. National averages from 2023 FBI UCR data.

Frequently Asked Questions About Asheville Safety

Is Asheville safe?
Not especially. Asheville earns a D+ with a crime rate of 251.1 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs close to the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Asheville?
251.1 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 310.6 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2200.4 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Asheville safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Asheville's D+ grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,594 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Asheville?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Asheville generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Asheville police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Asheville?
Crime rates have held steady in Asheville, without significant movement in either direction. The city maintains its D+ grade.
How does Asheville compare to other cities in North Carolina?
Below average for the state. Asheville ranks behind about 85% of North Carolina cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.2x the national rate.
How safe is Asheville to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is close to the national average, which is encouraging. Rates have been stable.
How bad is crime in Asheville?
Bad. A D+ grade and 251.1 per-thousand rate put Asheville below 79% of US cities. Violent crime at 311 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Asheville?
310.6 per 100,000, which is 15% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (212), robbery (34), and murder (6.0) per 100,000.

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View all North Carolina city safety grades

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2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report data and Census Bureau population estimates. Safety grades calculated using national and state-level crime rate distributions. Not a substitute for local law enforcement guidance.

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