While we’ve covered the safest places in the Tar Heel state…what about the places you might want to think twice about before calling home? While each coin has two sides…and most of these places aren’t all ‘that bad,’ according to FBI crime data you might want to use caution in these ten places. Curious? Check out the ten most dangerous places in North Carolina below.

  1. Lumberton

en.wikipedia.org While Lumberton has quaint, quiet streets and nice shopping…according to the FBI Crime Report your chance of being victim to property crime here is 1 in 16. Lumberton has also made a top 20 list of the most violent cities in America. Lumberton, NC, USA

  1. Kinston

downtownkinston.com You might have passed through Kinston on your way to the beach. While this quiet town is home to some killer ‘joints’ and restaurants….it also has a history of violence. In Kinston your chance of being victim to property crime is 1 in 13, bringing it to number two on this list of the most dangerous places to live in North Carolina.

  1. Henderson

Henderson Police Department Facebook Page While this tiny city near the VA border is working tirelessly to improve its crime rankings..some criminals cannot be stopped. Formally number two on most FBI crime lists, Henderson is still home to staggering property crimes. Your chance of being a victim to property crime here is 1 in 10.

  1. Laurinburg

learnnc.org While this small town on the SC boarder has gone down in its property crimes…violent crimes have gone up. Your chance of being a victim to property crime in Laurinburg is 1 in 16.

  1. Statesville

tripadvisor.com While I went to college with several friends from Statesville…and have found it both charming and quaint, sometimes you just can’t argue with statistics. Statesville ties with Laurinburg as one of the most dangerous places to live in North Carolina. You have a 1 in 139 chance of falling victim to a violent crime like rape, murder, or assault in Statesville. I say…just keep pepper spray handy!

  1. Goldsboro

goldsboronc.gov While the picture above is a friendly reminder of policing done right, sometimes the police have too little time on their hands in the charming southern town of Goldsboro. Your chance of falling victim is 1 in 17.

  1. Rocky Mount

Rocky Mount Police Department Facebook Page With a steady decline in population, Rocky Mount is back on several lists as a most dangerous city. For a few years, things were really looking up…but with a lower population statistics remain high. Your chance of falling victim to a violent crime like murder, rape, or assault is 1 in 95…which is somewhat scary.

  1. Smithfield

smithfield-nc.com This tiny town outside of Raleigh has seen steady improvements on its crime rates over the past few years. Yet, the fact that your chance of falling victim to property crime is 1 in 18 keeps Smithfield on several ‘most dangerous’ lists.

  1. Salisbury

Salisbury Police Department Facebook Page While the home of Cheerwine is a lovely place, the increase in both violent and property crimes keeps this famed soft drink city on the top ten list. In Salisbury you have a 1 in 128 chance of falling victim to a violent crime like rape, murder, or assault. These violent crimes certainly make it one of the most dangerous places to live in North Carolina.

  1. Burlington

Flickr / Anthony Crider While Burlington is the place to go if you’re looking for a delicious bite to eat (it has more restaurants per capita than anywhere else in NC) the property crime rate keeps Burlington clinging on at number ten. Your chance of falling victim to property crime here is 1 in 20.

If you find your beloved hometown on this list, it’s important to remember that this is not a reflection of the town as a whole and sometimes these crimes are isolated to certain areas in the community. With that being said, how do you feel about this list? Tell us in the comments!

en.wikipedia.org

While Lumberton has quaint, quiet streets and nice shopping…according to the FBI Crime Report your chance of being victim to property crime here is 1 in 16. Lumberton has also made a top 20 list of the most violent cities in America.

Lumberton, NC, USA

downtownkinston.com

You might have passed through Kinston on your way to the beach. While this quiet town is home to some killer ‘joints’ and restaurants….it also has a history of violence. In Kinston your chance of being victim to property crime is 1 in 13, bringing it to number two on this list of the most dangerous places to live in North Carolina.

Henderson Police Department Facebook Page

While this tiny city near the VA border is working tirelessly to improve its crime rankings..some criminals cannot be stopped. Formally number two on most FBI crime lists, Henderson is still home to staggering property crimes. Your chance of being a victim to property crime here is 1 in 10.

learnnc.org

While this small town on the SC boarder has gone down in its property crimes…violent crimes have gone up. Your chance of being a victim to property crime in Laurinburg is 1 in 16.

tripadvisor.com

While I went to college with several friends from Statesville…and have found it both charming and quaint, sometimes you just can’t argue with statistics. Statesville ties with Laurinburg as one of the most dangerous places to live in North Carolina. You have a 1 in 139 chance of falling victim to a violent crime like rape, murder, or assault in Statesville. I say…just keep pepper spray handy!

goldsboronc.gov

While the picture above is a friendly reminder of policing done right, sometimes the police have too little time on their hands in the charming southern town of Goldsboro. Your chance of falling victim is 1 in 17.

Rocky Mount Police Department Facebook Page

With a steady decline in population, Rocky Mount is back on several lists as a most dangerous city. For a few years, things were really looking up…but with a lower population statistics remain high. Your chance of falling victim to a violent crime like murder, rape, or assault is 1 in 95…which is somewhat scary.

smithfield-nc.com

This tiny town outside of Raleigh has seen steady improvements on its crime rates over the past few years. Yet, the fact that your chance of falling victim to property crime is 1 in 18 keeps Smithfield on several ‘most dangerous’ lists.

Salisbury Police Department Facebook Page

While the home of Cheerwine is a lovely place, the increase in both violent and property crimes keeps this famed soft drink city on the top ten list. In Salisbury you have a 1 in 128 chance of falling victim to a violent crime like rape, murder, or assault. These violent crimes certainly make it one of the most dangerous places to live in North Carolina.

Flickr / Anthony Crider

While Burlington is the place to go if you’re looking for a delicious bite to eat (it has more restaurants per capita than anywhere else in NC) the property crime rate keeps Burlington clinging on at number ten. Your chance of falling victim to property crime here is 1 in 20.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.

The OIYS Visitor Center

Most Dangerous Places in North Carolina March 08, 2022 Danielle Schwartz What is the most well-known small town in North Carolina? One of the most well-known small towns in North Carolina is Blowing Rock. With just over 1000 people calling the town home, you might assume it has few attractions, but there are plenty of fun things to do here. The shops are cozy and sweet, and the stunning natural mountain environment will have you reaching for your camera all day! The village is named after The Blowing Rock, which is a natural rock formation overlooking the Johns River Gorge. The views are amazing and the small town atmosphere will allow you to slow down and be present in your time here. What is the most scenic town in North Carolina? Asheville is the most scenic town in North Carolina. It is known for its gorgeous Art Deco buildings in its downtown area, which has been largely preserved since the Depression era. Take a stroll through the streets and feel the historical significance as you enjoy the beautiful architecture. The Biltmore Estate is also located in Asheville, so you can take in this legendary site on your trip. Ashevlle is also known for its hiking, so in addition to the city sights, you’ll have the opportunity to relax in nature. What is the largest city in North Carolina? The largest city in North Carolina is Charlotte. With a population of over 925,000, the city boasts lots of local history and modern charm. Looking for traditional attractions where you can learn something new? You’ll love the museums dedicated to Civil War history and even the NASCAR Hall of Fame! More interested in a social-media-worthy getaway? Take a trip to the fashionable uptown. With high-end shops and trendy restaurants, cafes, and bars, you’ll find everything you could want in Charlotte. There’s certainly something for everyone in North Carolina’s largest city!  

The OIYS Visitor Center

Most Dangerous Places in North Carolina

March 08, 2022

Danielle Schwartz

What is the most well-known small town in North Carolina? One of the most well-known small towns in North Carolina is Blowing Rock. With just over 1000 people calling the town home, you might assume it has few attractions, but there are plenty of fun things to do here. The shops are cozy and sweet, and the stunning natural mountain environment will have you reaching for your camera all day! The village is named after The Blowing Rock, which is a natural rock formation overlooking the Johns River Gorge. The views are amazing and the small town atmosphere will allow you to slow down and be present in your time here. What is the most scenic town in North Carolina? Asheville is the most scenic town in North Carolina. It is known for its gorgeous Art Deco buildings in its downtown area, which has been largely preserved since the Depression era. Take a stroll through the streets and feel the historical significance as you enjoy the beautiful architecture. The Biltmore Estate is also located in Asheville, so you can take in this legendary site on your trip. Ashevlle is also known for its hiking, so in addition to the city sights, you’ll have the opportunity to relax in nature. What is the largest city in North Carolina? The largest city in North Carolina is Charlotte. With a population of over 925,000, the city boasts lots of local history and modern charm. Looking for traditional attractions where you can learn something new? You’ll love the museums dedicated to Civil War history and even the NASCAR Hall of Fame! More interested in a social-media-worthy getaway? Take a trip to the fashionable uptown. With high-end shops and trendy restaurants, cafes, and bars, you’ll find everything you could want in Charlotte. There’s certainly something for everyone in North Carolina’s largest city!  

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

One of the most well-known small towns in North Carolina is Blowing Rock. With just over 1000 people calling the town home, you might assume it has few attractions, but there are plenty of fun things to do here. The shops are cozy and sweet, and the stunning natural mountain environment will have you reaching for your camera all day! The village is named after The Blowing Rock, which is a natural rock formation overlooking the Johns River Gorge. The views are amazing and the small town atmosphere will allow you to slow down and be present in your time here.

What is the most scenic town in North Carolina?

Asheville is the most scenic town in North Carolina. It is known for its gorgeous Art Deco buildings in its downtown area, which has been largely preserved since the Depression era. Take a stroll through the streets and feel the historical significance as you enjoy the beautiful architecture. The Biltmore Estate is also located in Asheville, so you can take in this legendary site on your trip. Ashevlle is also known for its hiking, so in addition to the city sights, you’ll have the opportunity to relax in nature.

What is the largest city in North Carolina?

The largest city in North Carolina is Charlotte. With a population of over 925,000, the city boasts lots of local history and modern charm. Looking for traditional attractions where you can learn something new? You’ll love the museums dedicated to Civil War history and even the NASCAR Hall of Fame! More interested in a social-media-worthy getaway? Take a trip to the fashionable uptown. With high-end shops and trendy restaurants, cafes, and bars, you’ll find everything you could want in Charlotte. There’s certainly something for everyone in North Carolina’s largest city!