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D+

Is Elizabeth City, North Carolina Safe?

Population 19,622 · Safer than 24% of US cities

Stable· 2023 FBI UCR data

Elizabeth City is a smaller community of 19,622 people with a D+ safety grade. Crime runs below the national average for violent offenses, and the overall rate sits at 243 per 1,000. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,897 per 100K.

Elizabeth City Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricElizabeth CityNorth Carolina AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate247.8317.9363.8
Property Crime Rate2181.92053.51,832.3
Murder Rate3.0--5.7
Assault Rate188.0--268.2
Theft Rate1897.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate251.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD+

243 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeB-

248/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD

2182/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Elizabeth City

Violent crime in Elizabeth City is below the national average. The rate of 247.8 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2181.9 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,897 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Elizabeth City Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder3
053% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault188
070% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery32
051% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary354
01.3x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,897
01.4x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft251
079% of avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Elizabeth City Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Elizabeth City
247.8
State
317.9
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Elizabeth City
2181.9
State
2053.5
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Elizabeth City Safety

Is Elizabeth City safe?
Not especially. Elizabeth City earns a D+ with a crime rate of 243 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs below the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Elizabeth City?
243 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 247.8 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2181.9 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Elizabeth City safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Elizabeth City's D+ grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,897 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Elizabeth City?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Elizabeth City generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Elizabeth City police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Elizabeth City?
Crime rates have held steady in Elizabeth City, without significant movement in either direction. The city maintains its D+ grade.
How does Elizabeth City compare to other cities in North Carolina?
Below average for the state. Elizabeth City ranks behind about 68% of North Carolina cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.2x the national rate.
How safe is Elizabeth City to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is below the national average, which is encouraging. Rates have been stable.
How bad is crime in Elizabeth City?
Bad. A D+ grade and 243 per-thousand rate put Elizabeth City below 76% of US cities. Violent crime at 248 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Elizabeth City?
247.8 per 100,000, which is 32% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (188), robbery (32), and murder (3.0) per 100,000.

Nearby Cities in North Carolina

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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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