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C+

Is Cornelius, North Carolina Safe?

Population 35,094 · Safer than 41% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

In a community of 35,094, each crime incident has a bigger statistical impact. Cornelius earns a C+ with violent crime below the national average. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,551 per 100K.

Cornelius Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricCorneliusNorth Carolina AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate272.9317.9363.8
Property Crime Rate1736.52053.51,832.3
Murder Rate4.0--5.7
Assault Rate216.0--268.2
Theft Rate1551.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate301.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyC+

200.9 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC+

273/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeC

1737/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Cornelius

Violent crime in Cornelius is below the national average. The rate of 272.9 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 1736.5 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,551 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Cornelius Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder4
070% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault216
081% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery43
068% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary324
01.2x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,551
01.1x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft301
095% of avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Cornelius Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Cornelius
272.9
State
317.9
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Cornelius
1736.5
State
2053.5
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Cornelius Safety

Is Cornelius safe?
It depends on where in Cornelius you are. The city gets a C+ overall, with violent crime below the national average and property crime close to the national average. Some areas are safer than others.
What is the crime rate in Cornelius?
200.9 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 272.9 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 1736.5 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Cornelius safe for tourists?
Stick to well-traveled areas and you'll be fine. Cornelius has a C+ grade, so it's not the safest destination, but tourist areas generally see less violent crime than the citywide average suggests.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Cornelius?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Cornelius generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Cornelius police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Cornelius?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Cornelius's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a C+ grade overall.
How does Cornelius compare to other cities in North Carolina?
Middle of the pack for North Carolina. Cornelius isn't the safest option in the state, but it's not the most concerning either, ranking around the 46th percentile among North Carolina cities.
How safe is Cornelius to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is below the national average, which is encouraging. The upward trend in crime is concerning.
How bad is crime in Cornelius?
Mixed. Violent crime is below the national average, and property crime is close to the national average. It's not great, but it's not the worst either, landing at the 41th percentile nationally.
What is the violent crime rate in Cornelius?
272.9 per 100,000, which is 25% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (216), robbery (43), and murder (4.0) 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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