CityCheck
CitiesSafetyAskPlan
C-

Is Gastonia, North Carolina Safe?

Population 87,067 · Safer than 28% of US cities

Stable· 2023 FBI UCR data

A C- grade for Gastonia means there's room for concern. The 233.2 per-thousand crime rate and violent crime above the national average tell the story. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,646 per 100K.

Gastonia Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricGastoniaNorth Carolina AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate425.1317.9363.8
Property Crime Rate1906.52053.51,832.3
Murder Rate5.0--5.7
Assault Rate346.0--268.2
Theft Rate1646.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate248.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyC-

233.2 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeD

425/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeC

1907/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Gastonia

Violent crime in Gastonia is above the national average. The rate of 425.1 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 1906.5 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,646 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Assault is notable at 346 per 100K, above the national 268.2.

Gastonia Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder5
088% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault346
01.3x national avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery86
01.4x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary265
098% of avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,646
01.2x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft248
078% of avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Gastonia Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Gastonia
425.1
State
317.9
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Gastonia
1906.5
State
2053.5
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Gastonia Safety

Is Gastonia safe?
Not especially. Gastonia earns a C- with a crime rate of 233.2 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs above the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Gastonia?
233.2 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 425.1 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 1906.5 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Gastonia safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Gastonia's C- grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,646 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Gastonia?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Gastonia generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Gastonia police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Gastonia?
Crime rates have held steady in Gastonia, without significant movement in either direction. The city maintains its C- grade.
How does Gastonia compare to other cities in North Carolina?
Below average for the state. Gastonia ranks behind about 73% of North Carolina cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.0x the national rate.
How safe is Gastonia to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is above the national average. Rates have been stable.
How bad is crime in Gastonia?
Bad. A C- grade and 233.2 per-thousand rate put Gastonia below 72% of US cities. Violent crime at 425 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Gastonia?
425.1 per 100,000, which is 17% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (346), robbery (86), and murder (5.0) per 100,000.

Nearby Cities in North Carolina

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

D+
See crime rates in Asheville93,523 pop · Grade D+
D
See crime rates in Apex80,419 pop · Grade D
D-
See crime rates in Greenville96,443 pop · Grade D-
C
See crime rates in Jacksonville72,732 pop · Grade C
D
See crime rates in Huntersville68,535 pop · Grade D
D+
See crime rates in Chapel Hill63,565 pop · Grade D+
View all North Carolina city safety grades

Looking for things to do? See activities, events and places in Gastonia

Get weekly safety updates for Gastonia

Weekly crime trend updates and safety grade changes delivered to your inbox.

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.

Know before you go

CityCheck covers safety grades, crime data, and things to do for every US city.

Explore cities