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D-

Is Rocky Mount, North Carolina Safe?

Population 55,120 · Safer than 15% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

Crime in Rocky Mount runs high. The city's D- grade puts it below 85% of US cities, with violent crime close to the national average. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,952 per 100K.

Rocky Mount Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricRocky MountNorth Carolina AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate354.8317.9363.8
Property Crime Rate2382.12053.51,832.3
Murder Rate3.0--5.7
Assault Rate246.0--268.2
Theft Rate1952.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate560.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD-

273.7 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC

355/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD-

2382/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Rocky Mount

Violent crime in Rocky Mount is close to the national average. The rate of 354.8 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2382.1 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,952 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Rocky Mount Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder3
053% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault246
092% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery74
01.2x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary287
01.1x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,952
01.4x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft560
01.8x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Rocky Mount Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Rocky Mount
354.8
State
317.9
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Rocky Mount
2382.1
State
2053.5
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Rocky Mount Safety

Is Rocky Mount safe?
Not especially. Rocky Mount earns a D- with a crime rate of 273.7 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 Rocky Mount?
273.7 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 354.8 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2382.1 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Rocky Mount safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Rocky Mount's D- grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,952 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Rocky Mount?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Rocky Mount generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Rocky Mount police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Rocky Mount?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Rocky Mount's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a D- grade overall.
How does Rocky Mount compare to other cities in North Carolina?
Below average for the state. Rocky Mount ranks behind about 85% of North Carolina cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.3x the national rate.
How safe is Rocky Mount 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 Rocky Mount?
Bad. A D- grade and 273.7 per-thousand rate put Rocky Mount below 85% of US cities. Violent crime at 355 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Rocky Mount?
354.8 per 100,000, which is 2% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (246), robbery (74), and murder (3.0) 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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