Chapel Hill, NC Crime Map
Explore crime rates, safest neighborhoods, and detailed crime statistics
Chapel Hill Crime Rate Statistics
Full Statistics100 = national average. Higher = more crime.
Violent Crime Risk
1 in 277
chance per year
5% lower than national avg
Property Crime Risk
1 in 44
chance per year
25% higher than national avg
Discovering Chapel Hill's Crime Map: Your Guide to Community Safety
Chapel Hill, North Carolina, is renowned for its vibrant university community, rich history, and welcoming atmosphere. However, like many college towns, it faces unique safety challenges. Our detailed crime map provides residents and visitors with valuable insights into local crime patterns, helping everyone stay informed and protected.
Why Use a Crime Map in Chapel Hill?
Crime maps are essential tools for understanding the safety landscape of Chapel Hill. They allow you to visualize where different types of crimes are concentrated, offering benefits such as:
- Identifying Crime Hotspots: Spot areas with higher incidences of theft, assault, or vandalism.
- Planning Safer Routes: Navigate through neighborhoods with confidence.
- Staying Updated: Access real-time crime reports to remain aware of recent incidents.
- Strengthening Community Vigilance: Encourage neighborhood cooperation and safety initiatives.
Accessing Chapel Hill’s Crime Map
Getting started with Chapel Hill’s crime data is straightforward. You can explore crime information through:
- Chapel Hill Police Department Website: Visit their Crime Statistics page for official updates and interactive maps.
- Third-Party Platforms: Websites like CrimeMapping.com and SpotCrime aggregate data for easy viewing.
Key Features of the Crime Map
The crime map of Chapel Hill offers several valuable features to enhance your safety awareness:
- Crime Types: Categorized incidents such as burglary, assault, and vandalism, each marked with distinct icons or colors.
- Time Filters: Analyze crime trends over specific periods to identify patterns.
- Heat Maps: Visualize areas with higher crime density for targeted awareness.
- Incident Details: Click on individual crimes for comprehensive information, including date, type, and location.
Crime Trends in Chapel Hill
Understanding local crime trends helps residents and visitors make informed decisions. Recent data indicates:
- Property Crimes: Burglary, vehicle theft, and shoplifting are prevalent in certain neighborhoods.
- Violent Crimes: Assaults and disturbances are less frequent but still present, especially near nightlife areas.
- Drug-Related Incidents: Ongoing efforts are in place to combat drug offenses impacting community safety.
Tips for Staying Safe in Chapel Hill
While the crime map is a helpful resource, personal safety also depends on proactive measures:
- Stay Informed: Regularly check the crime map and local news updates.
- Report Suspicious Activity: Contact Chapel Hill Police at their official website if you see anything unusual.
- Community Engagement: Join neighborhood watch programs and safety initiatives to foster a secure environment.
- Secure Your Property: Use locks, security systems, and proper lighting to protect your home and belongings.
Conclusion
The crime map of Chapel Hill is a vital tool for fostering a safer community. By staying informed and involved, residents and visitors can help reduce risks and enjoy all that this charming town has to offer. Explore the map through the Chapel Hill Police Department or trusted third-party services to stay ahead of crime trends.
For additional safety resources, visit the Chapel Hill Police Department and participate in local safety programs.
All 6 Neighborhoods in Chapel Hill
Ranked by safety (safest first)| Rank | Neighborhood | Score | Safety | Median Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Fraternity Row | A+ | Exceptionally safe | $47,597 |
| #2 | UNC Central Campus | A | Very safe | $30,922 |
| #3 | Mason Farm Area | A | Very safe | $136,877 |
| #4 | Old Country Club - UNC | A | Very safe | $86,224 |
| #5 | UNC North | A | Very safe | $84,671 |
| #6 | University Lake | B | Safe area | $57,497 |
All 6 Neighborhoods by Crime Level
Ranked by crime (highest first)| Rank | Neighborhood | Score | Safety Level | Median Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | University Lake | B | Safe area | $57,497 |
| #2 | UNC North | A | Very safe | $84,671 |
| #3 | Old Country Club - UNC | A | Very safe | $86,224 |
| #4 | Mason Farm Area | A | Very safe | $136,877 |
| #5 | UNC Central Campus | A | Very safe | $30,922 |
| #6 | Fraternity Row | A+ | Exceptionally safe | $47,597 |
Chapel Hill Demographics Overview
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions About Chapel Hill Crime
Is Chapel Hill safe?
Chapel Hill ranks as a Very Safe (A) city overall, based on an analysis of six neighborhoods. An impressive 83.3% of neighborhoods earned an A grade, and the remaining 16.7% earned a B — meaning 100% of analyzed neighborhoods fall into the safe category. Areas like Fraternity Row (A+), UNC Central Campus (A), Mason Farm Area (A), Old Country Club - UNC (A), and UNC North (A) consistently report minimal crime activity. Even the lowest-rated neighborhood, University Lake, holds a solid B grade. For a college town with a population of roughly 61,900 and a poverty rate of 18.5%, these safety outcomes are notably strong.
What is the crime rate in Chapel Hill?
Chapel Hill holds an overall crime grade of B- at the city level, while its neighborhood-level city-wide safety rating reaches A (Very Safe). Breaking that down further: 5 out of 6 analyzed neighborhoods (83.3%) carry an A or A+ grade, and 1 neighborhood (16.7%) carries a B grade. No neighborhoods in the dataset received a C, D, or F. Property crimes such as burglary and vehicle theft tend to be the most common incident types in Chapel Hill, consistent with patterns seen in most university-adjacent communities, while violent crime rates remain well below national averages for cities of similar size and density (1,107 residents per square mile).
What are the safest neighborhoods in Chapel Hill?
Based on 2026 crime data, the five safest neighborhoods in Chapel Hill are:
- Fraternity Row — A+: The top-rated neighborhood, with a population of just 104 and a median household income of $47,597. Its small, close-knit character contributes to high safety visibility.
- UNC Central Campus — A: Home to 9,317 residents, this is the most populous neighborhood analyzed and maintains an A grade despite its density — a strong indicator of effective campus safety infrastructure.
- Mason Farm Area — A: With a median household income of $136,877 — the highest in the dataset — this affluent enclave of 552 residents consistently records very low crime activity.
- Old Country Club - UNC — A: A neighborhood of 305 residents with a median income of $86,224, earning a solid A grade for safety.
- UNC North — A: With 2,083 residents and a median income of $84,671, UNC North combines population size with strong safety outcomes.
The only neighborhood outside the A tier is University Lake (B), which still represents a safe environment by any standard measure.
Is Chapel Hill a good place to live?
By most measurable indicators, yes. Chapel Hill offers a median household income of $75,249, a median home value of $435,394, and a median rent of $1,221 — figures that reflect a stable, mid-to-upper-income housing market. The unemployment rate sits at 5.1%, and while the poverty rate of 18.5% is somewhat elevated (partly driven by the large student population at UNC), it does not translate into elevated crime: 100% of analyzed neighborhoods are rated B or better. The combination of strong neighborhood safety grades — 83.3% at A level — a walkable university environment, and access to research and healthcare employment makes Chapel Hill a consistently attractive place to live for students, families, and professionals alike.
Which Chapel Hill neighborhoods have the highest crime?
Even the neighborhoods with comparatively higher crime in Chapel Hill maintain respectable safety grades. University Lake (B) is the only neighborhood outside the A tier across the six areas analyzed, with a population of 1,194 and a median household income of $57,497. Within the A-graded neighborhoods, UNC North and UNC Central Campus appear at the higher end of the A range due to their larger populations and proximity to nightlife and transit corridors — factors that typically correlate with slightly elevated property crime and disturbance reports. Still, none of these areas approach a C grade, and no Chapel Hill neighborhood in the dataset falls below a B.
How does Chapel Hill's safety compare to other North Carolina cities?
Chapel Hill's city-wide safety rating of A (Very Safe) and its 100% safe-neighborhood rate (all six neighborhoods graded B or above) place it among the safer mid-sized cities in North Carolina. With a population of approximately 61,912 and a density of 1,107 per square mile, Chapel Hill is neither a small rural enclave nor a dense urban core — yet it achieves safety outcomes that outperform many larger NC cities. The presence of UNC-Chapel Hill creates a well-resourced local police presence and an engaged community, both of which are reflected in the data. Residents comparing Chapel Hill to peer cities in the Triangle region will generally find its neighborhood-level grades to be competitive or superior.
Surrounding Cities
Chapel Hill Zip Codes
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