Gastonia, NC Crime Map

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Crime in Gastonia, NC

Is Gastonia, NC safe in 2026?

Yes — Gastonia earns an overall crime grade of B- city-wide, and when the four analyzed neighborhoods are examined individually, the picture is even more encouraging: 50% hold an A grade and 50% hold a B grade, meaning 100% of neighborhoods fall in the safe (A or B) tier. The city-wide safety rating aggregated across those neighborhoods reaches a Very Safe (A) designation. Oakland leads with a perfect A+, followed by Loray Village at A-, Highland at B+, and Downtown Gastonia at B+. No neighborhood in the analysis received a C, D, or F grade, which distinguishes Gastonia from many comparably sized cities in the Southeast.

What is the crime rate in Gastonia, NC?

Rather than a single raw number, Gastonia's crime picture is best understood through its grade distribution. Across the four neighborhoods analyzed, half earned an A-range grade (Oakland at A+ and Loray Village at A-) and half earned a B-range grade (Highland and Downtown Gastonia, both B+). That means zero neighborhoods scored below a B — a strong indicator of below-average crime relative to national benchmarks. The city's overall grade of B- reflects that while Gastonia is meaningfully safer than average, some variation exists between the most affluent pockets and the broader urban core. Oakland, with a median household income of $49,388, consistently posts the city's best safety numbers, while Highland (median income $28,013) represents the higher end of the crime spectrum yet still holds a solid B+.

What are the safest neighborhoods in Gastonia?

The safest neighborhood in Gastonia is Oakland, which earned a rare A+ grade. With a population of 276 and a median income of $49,388, it is a small but notably secure community. Loray Village follows closely with an A- grade; its 1,325 residents benefit from a neighborhood that outperforms the city average despite a median income of $36,452 — demonstrating that safety in Gastonia is not exclusively tied to wealth. Highland and Downtown Gastonia both received B+ grades, placing them firmly in the safe category. Highland is the largest of the four neighborhoods at 4,577 residents, making its B+ grade particularly significant — it suggests that even Gastonia's most populous analyzed area maintains low crime levels. Downtown Gastonia, with just 267 residents and a median income of $32,632, also holds its own at B+.

Which Gastonia neighborhoods have the most crime?

Within the neighborhoods analyzed, Highland (B+) and Loray Village (A-) represent the relatively higher end of the crime spectrum — though it is critical to note that both grades still fall well within the safe range. Highland's B+ reflects that a denser, lower-income area (median income $28,013, population 4,577) naturally sees more incidents than a small enclave like Oakland. Loray Village's A- means it is only marginally below the top tier. Importantly, no neighborhood in Gastonia's analysis received a grade below B+, so even the city's comparatively higher-crime areas would be considered safe by most national standards.

Is Gastonia a good place to live in 2026?

For many households, Gastonia offers a compelling combination of affordability and safety. The median home value of $161,280 and median rent of $902 sit well below national averages, while the median household income of $50,266 provides reasonable purchasing power in that cost environment. On the safety side, 100% of analyzed neighborhoods grade at B+ or higher — a statistic few cities of Gastonia's size (184,902 residents, 572 people per sq mi) can match. The unemployment rate of 6.4% and poverty rate of 15.2% do reflect real economic pressures, and prospective residents should weigh those factors. Still, neighborhoods like Oakland (A+) and Loray Village (A-) demonstrate that safe, affordable housing is genuinely available, and even higher-density areas like Highland (B+) maintain strong safety profiles for families and individuals alike.

How does Gastonia's crime compare to other North Carolina cities?

Gastonia's B- overall crime grade and its 100% A-or-B neighborhood distribution place it favorably within North Carolina's mid-size city landscape. The fact that 50% of neighborhoods achieved an A-range grade — with Oakland hitting A+ — suggests the city's safest pockets rival those of much wealthier metro areas. The absence of any D or F neighborhoods is a meaningful data point: many cities with similar population density and poverty rates (Gastonia's is 15.2%) see at least one neighborhood fall into the high-crime tiers. Gastonia's consistency across all four analyzed neighborhoods, from the small Downtown Gastonia enclave to the larger Highland community, indicates that safety is distributed relatively evenly rather than concentrated in one privileged zone.