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C-

Is Fayetteville, North Carolina Safe?

Population 209,120 · Safer than 25% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

A C- grade for Fayetteville means there's room for concern. The 240 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 1,819 per 100K.

Fayetteville Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricFayettevilleNorth Carolina AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate348.3317.9363.8
Property Crime Rate2051.72053.51,832.3
Murder Rate7.0--5.7
Assault Rate252.0--268.2
Theft Rate1819.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate181.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyC-

240 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC

348/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD+

2052/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Fayetteville

Violent crime in Fayetteville is close to the national average. The rate of 348.3 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 2051.7 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,819 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Fayetteville Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder7
01.2x national avgAvg: 5.7
Assault252
094% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery52
082% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary366
01.4x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,819
01.3x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft181
057% of avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Fayetteville Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Fayetteville
348.3
State
317.9
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Fayetteville
2051.7
State
2053.5
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Fayetteville Safety

Is Fayetteville safe?
Not especially. Fayetteville earns a C- with a crime rate of 240 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 Fayetteville?
240 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 348.3 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2051.7 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Fayetteville safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Fayetteville's C- grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,819 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Fayetteville?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Fayetteville generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Fayetteville police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Fayetteville?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Fayetteville's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a C- grade overall.
How does Fayetteville compare to other cities in North Carolina?
Below average for the state. Fayetteville ranks behind about 78% of North Carolina cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.1x the national rate.
How safe is Fayetteville 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 Fayetteville?
Bad. A C- grade and 240 per-thousand rate put Fayetteville below 75% of US cities. Violent crime at 348 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Fayetteville?
348.3 per 100,000, which is 4% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (252), robbery (52), and murder (7.0) 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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