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C+

Is Harrisburg, North Carolina Safe?

Population 20,742 · Safer than 42% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

Harrisburg is a smaller community of 20,742 people with a C+ safety grade. Crime runs below the national average for violent offenses, and the overall rate sits at 197.1 per 1,000. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,504 per 100K.

Harrisburg Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricHarrisburgNorth Carolina AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate263.3317.9363.8
Property Crime Rate1707.62053.51,832.3
Murder Rate5.0--5.7
Assault Rate205.0--268.2
Theft Rate1504.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate311.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyC+

197.1 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC+

263/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeC

1708/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Harrisburg

Violent crime in Harrisburg is below the national average. The rate of 263.3 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 1707.6 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,504 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Harrisburg Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder5
088% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault205
076% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery50
079% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary200
074% of avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,504
01.1x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft311
098% of avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Harrisburg Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Harrisburg
263.3
State
317.9
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Harrisburg
1707.6
State
2053.5
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Harrisburg Safety

Is Harrisburg safe?
It depends on where in Harrisburg 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 Harrisburg?
197.1 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 263.3 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 1707.6 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Harrisburg safe for tourists?
Stick to well-traveled areas and you'll be fine. Harrisburg 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 Harrisburg?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Harrisburg generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Harrisburg police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Harrisburg?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Harrisburg's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a C+ grade overall.
How does Harrisburg compare to other cities in North Carolina?
Middle of the pack for North Carolina. Harrisburg isn't the safest option in the state, but it's not the most concerning either, ranking around the 47th percentile among North Carolina cities.
How safe is Harrisburg 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 Harrisburg?
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 42th percentile nationally.
What is the violent crime rate in Harrisburg?
263.3 per 100,000, which is 28% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (205), robbery (50), and murder (5.0) 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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