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D+

Is Winston-Salem, North Carolina Safe?

Population 257,271 · Safer than 22% of US cities

Stable· 2023 FBI UCR data

A D+ grade for Winston-Salem means there's room for concern. The 250.6 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 1,809 per 100K.

Winston-Salem Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricWinston-SalemNorth Carolina AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate330.7317.9363.8
Property Crime Rate2175.52053.51,832.3
Murder Rate6.0--5.7
Assault Rate259.0--268.2
Theft Rate1809.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate277.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD+

250.6 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC

331/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD

2176/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Winston-Salem

Violent crime in Winston-Salem is close to the national average. The rate of 330.7 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2175.5 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,809 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Winston-Salem Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder6
01.1x national avgAvg: 5.7
Assault259
097% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery67
01.1x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary375
01.4x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,809
01.3x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft277
087% of avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Winston-Salem Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Winston-Salem
330.7
State
317.9
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Winston-Salem
2175.5
State
2053.5
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Winston-Salem Safety

Is Winston-Salem safe?
Not especially. Winston-Salem earns a D+ with a crime rate of 250.6 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 Winston-Salem?
250.6 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 330.7 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2175.5 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Winston-Salem safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Winston-Salem's D+ grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,809 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Winston-Salem?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Winston-Salem generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Winston-Salem police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Winston-Salem?
Crime rates have held steady in Winston-Salem, without significant movement in either direction. The city maintains its D+ grade.
How does Winston-Salem compare to other cities in North Carolina?
Below average for the state. Winston-Salem ranks behind about 74% of North Carolina cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.2x the national rate.
How safe is Winston-Salem to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is close to the national average, which is encouraging. Rates have been stable.
How bad is crime in Winston-Salem?
Bad. A D+ grade and 250.6 per-thousand rate put Winston-Salem below 78% of US cities. Violent crime at 331 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Winston-Salem?
330.7 per 100,000, which is 9% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (259), robbery (67), and murder (6.0) per 100,000.

Nearby Cities in North Carolina

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

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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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