Bessemer City, NC Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 49% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Bessemer City Safe?
Mostly yes — Bessemer City is fairly safe
Crime is slightly below the national average, though some areas may vary.
Bessemer City has a crime rate that is 19% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 418.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 418
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
37% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 86
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
36% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Bessemer City Crime Breakdown
Estimated crime rates based on FBI UCR data, calibrated to city-level crime score.
| Crime Type | Index | vs National | Risk Level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | ||||
|
Murder
|
72 | -28% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
68 | -32% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
45 | -55% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
62 | -38% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
81 | -19% | Average | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
55 | -45% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
53 | -47% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Bessemer City Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Bessemer City Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Bessemer City zip codes.
Bessemer City Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Bessemer City, NC?
Bessemer City, NC has a crime safety grade of B- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 19% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 418 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 86 chance for property crime. Bessemer City has lower crime than 49% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Bessemer City, NC safe to live in?
Bessemer City is generally considered a safe place to live, earning a crime grade of B-. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Bessemer City is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Bessemer City?
The estimated violent crime rate in Bessemer City is 239.5 per 100,000 residents, which is 37% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 418 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 3.6 per 100K (28% below average); aggravated assault at 181.4 per 100K (32% below average); robbery at 33.6 per 100K (55% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Bessemer City?
The estimated property crime rate in Bessemer City is 1,165.0 per 100,000 residents, which is 36% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 86 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 218.3 per 100K (19% below average); larceny/theft at 777.1 per 100K (45% below average); vehicle theft at 169.6 per 100K (47% below average).
How does Bessemer City crime compare to the national average?
Bessemer City's overall crime rate is 19% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is burglary (19% below average), while robbery is 55% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Bessemer City has lower crime than 49% of them.
Is Bessemer City safe to visit?
Bessemer City is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 36% below average, which is typically the main concern for tourists. Avoid leaving valuables in vehicles, stay aware of your surroundings in unfamiliar areas, and stick to well-traveled neighborhoods.
How does Bessemer City crime compare to the rest of North Carolina?
North Carolina as a whole has crime that is 11% above the national average. Bessemer City's crime rate is 19% below the national average, making it safer the typical North Carolina city.
What type of crime is most common in Bessemer City?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Bessemer City, with an estimated rate of 777.1 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 45% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,165 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (240 per 100K) in Bessemer City, which is consistent with national trends.