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D+

Is Wilson, North Carolina Safe?

Population 49,572 · Safer than 25% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

In a community of 49,572, each crime incident has a bigger statistical impact. Wilson earns a D+ with violent crime close to the national average. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,857 per 100K.

Wilson Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricWilsonNorth Carolina AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate345.1317.9363.8
Property Crime Rate2073.12053.51,832.3
Murder Rate7.0--5.7
Assault Rate230.0--268.2
Theft Rate1857.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate197.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD+

241.8 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC

345/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD+

2073/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Wilson

Violent crime in Wilson is close to the national average. The rate of 345.1 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 2073.1 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,857 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Wilson Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder7
01.2x national avgAvg: 5.7
Assault230
086% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery61
096% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary392
01.5x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,857
01.3x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft197
062% of avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Wilson Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Wilson
345.1
State
317.9
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Wilson
2073.1
State
2053.5
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Wilson Safety

Is Wilson safe?
Not especially. Wilson earns a D+ with a crime rate of 241.8 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 Wilson?
241.8 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 345.1 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2073.1 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Wilson safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Wilson's D+ grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,857 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Wilson?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Wilson generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Wilson police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Wilson?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Wilson's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a D+ grade overall.
How does Wilson compare to other cities in North Carolina?
Below average for the state. Wilson ranks behind about 82% of North Carolina cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.1x the national rate.
How safe is Wilson 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 Wilson?
Bad. A D+ grade and 241.8 per-thousand rate put Wilson below 75% of US cities. Violent crime at 345 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Wilson?
345.1 per 100,000, which is 5% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (230), robbery (61), 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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