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D+

Is Durham, North Carolina Safe?

Population 305,561 · Safer than 21% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

A D+ grade for Durham means there's room for concern. The 253.1 per-thousand crime rate and violent crime close to the national average tell the story. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,681 per 100K.

Durham Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricDurhamNorth Carolina AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate337.2317.9363.8
Property Crime Rate2193.92053.51,832.3
Murder Rate5.0--5.7
Assault Rate230.0--268.2
Theft Rate1681.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate331.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD+

253.1 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC

337/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD

2194/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Durham

Violent crime in Durham is close to the national average. The rate of 337.2 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2193.9 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,681 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Durham Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder5
088% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault230
086% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery75
01.2x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary419
01.6x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,681
01.2x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft331
01.0x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Durham Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Durham
337.2
State
317.9
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Durham
2193.9
State
2053.5
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Durham Safety

Is Durham safe?
Not especially. Durham earns a D+ with a crime rate of 253.1 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 Durham?
253.1 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 337.2 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2193.9 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Durham safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Durham's D+ grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,681 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Durham?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Durham generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Durham police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Durham?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Durham's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a D+ grade overall.
How does Durham compare to other cities in North Carolina?
Below average for the state. Durham ranks behind about 80% of North Carolina cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.2x the national rate.
How safe is Durham to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is close to the national average, which is encouraging. The upward trend in crime is concerning.
How bad is crime in Durham?
Bad. A D+ grade and 253.1 per-thousand rate put Durham below 79% of US cities. Violent crime at 337 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Durham?
337.2 per 100,000, which is 7% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (230), robbery (75), and murder (5.0) per 100,000.

Nearby Cities in North Carolina

Similar-sized communities in North Carolina. Compare crime rates across the state.

C-
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C
See crime rates in Cary183,582 pop · Grade C
D-
See crime rates in Wilmington126,809 pop · Grade D-
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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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