Chapel Hill, NC Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 47% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Chapel Hill Safe?
Mostly yes — Chapel Hill is fairly safe
Crime is slightly below the national average, though some areas may vary.
Chapel Hill has a crime rate that is 18% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 277.
However, safety varies dramatically by neighborhood. Areas like Fraternity Row earn an A+ safety grade, while University Lake rates B. Understanding which neighborhoods are safe is critical for anyone living in, moving to, or visiting Chapel Hill.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 277
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
5% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 44
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
25% higher than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Chapel Hill 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
|
90 | -10% | Average | |
|
Assault
|
95 | -5% | Average | |
|
Robbery
|
93 | -7% | Average | |
|
Rape
|
95 | -5% | Average | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
86 | -14% | Average | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
118 | +18% | Average | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
124 | +24% | Moderate | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Chapel Hill Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Where Is It Safe in Chapel Hill?
Safety varies dramatically across Chapel Hill's 6+ neighborhoods.
Safest Neighborhoods
Top 6Areas with Higher Crime
Bottom 4Neighborhood Safety Distribution
Out of 6 neighborhoods in Chapel Hill
All Chapel Hill Neighborhoods
| # | Neighborhood | Grade | Crime Index |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fraternity Row | A+ | 36 |
| 2 | UNC Central Campus | A | 29 |
| 3 | Mason Farm Area | A | 75 |
| 4 | Old Country Club - UNC | A | 138 |
| 5 | UNC North | A | 76 |
| 6 | University Lake | B | 178 |
Chapel Hill Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Chapel Hill zip codes.
Chapel Hill Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Chapel Hill, NC?
Chapel Hill, NC has a crime safety grade of B- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 18% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 277 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 44 chance for property crime. Chapel Hill has lower crime than 47% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Chapel Hill, NC safe to live in?
Chapel Hill is generally considered a safe place to live, earning a crime grade of B-. Approximately 100% of the city's 6 neighborhoods are rated A or B for safety. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. For example, Fraternity Row is one of the safest areas, while University Lake has higher crime rates. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Chapel Hill is strongly recommended.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Chapel Hill?
Based on 2026 crime data, the safest neighborhoods in Chapel Hill are Fraternity Row, UNC Central Campus, Mason Farm Area, Old Country Club - UNC, and UNC North. These areas have significantly lower crime rates than the city average and are popular choices for families, professionals, and anyone prioritizing safety.
What are the most dangerous areas in Chapel Hill?
The neighborhoods with the highest crime rates in Chapel Hill include University Lake, UNC North, Mason Farm Area, and UNC Central Campus. These areas experience significantly more crime than the city average. Visitors and prospective residents should exercise extra caution in these neighborhoods, particularly at night.
What is the violent crime rate in Chapel Hill?
The estimated violent crime rate in Chapel Hill is 360.9 per 100,000 residents, which is 5% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 277 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 4.5 per 100K (10% below average); aggravated assault at 255.9 per 100K (5% below average); robbery at 68.4 per 100K (7% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Chapel Hill?
The estimated property crime rate in Chapel Hill is 2,282.2 per 100,000 residents, which is 25% higher than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 44 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 232.0 per 100K (14% below average); larceny/theft at 1,655.6 per 100K (18% above average); vehicle theft at 394.6 per 100K (24% above average).
How does Chapel Hill crime compare to the national average?
Chapel Hill's overall crime rate is 18% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is vehicle theft (24% above average), while burglary is 14% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Chapel Hill has lower crime than 47% of them.
Is Chapel Hill safe to visit?
Chapel Hill is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 25% above 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. Popular, safer areas for visitors include Fraternity Row, UNC Central Campus, Mason Farm Area.
How does Chapel Hill crime compare to the rest of North Carolina?
North Carolina as a whole has crime that is 11% above the national average. Chapel Hill's crime rate is 18% below the national average, making it safer the typical North Carolina city.
What type of crime is most common in Chapel Hill?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Chapel Hill, with an estimated rate of 1,655.6 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 18% above the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (2,282 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (361 per 100K) in Chapel Hill, which is consistent with national trends.