Cullowhee, NC Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 80% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Cullowhee Safe?
Yes — Cullowhee is safer than most cities
An above-average city for safety with lower crime than the national average.
Cullowhee has a crime rate that is 42% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 449.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 449
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
42% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 63
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
14% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Cullowhee 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
|
78 | -22% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
47 | -53% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
83 | -17% | Average | |
|
Rape
|
92 | -8% | Average | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
57 | -43% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
82 | -18% | Average | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
89 | -11% | Average | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Cullowhee Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Cullowhee Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Cullowhee zip codes.
Cullowhee Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Cullowhee, NC?
Cullowhee, NC has a crime safety grade of B+ as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 42% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 449 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 63 chance for property crime. Cullowhee has lower crime than 80% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Cullowhee, NC safe to live in?
Cullowhee 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 Cullowhee is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Cullowhee?
The estimated violent crime rate in Cullowhee is 222.6 per 100,000 residents, which is 42% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 449 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 3.9 per 100K (22% below average); aggravated assault at 126.6 per 100K (53% below average); robbery at 61.1 per 100K (17% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Cullowhee?
The estimated property crime rate in Cullowhee is 1,582.3 per 100,000 residents, which is 14% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 63 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 154.9 per 100K (43% below average); larceny/theft at 1,143.4 per 100K (18% below average); vehicle theft at 284.0 per 100K (11% below average).
How does Cullowhee crime compare to the national average?
Cullowhee's overall crime rate is 42% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is rape (8% below average), while assault is 53% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Cullowhee has lower crime than 80% of them.
Is Cullowhee safe to visit?
Cullowhee is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 14% 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 Cullowhee crime compare to the rest of North Carolina?
North Carolina as a whole has crime that is 11% above the national average. Cullowhee's crime rate is 42% below the national average, making it safer the typical North Carolina city.
What type of crime is most common in Cullowhee?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Cullowhee, with an estimated rate of 1,143.4 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 18% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,582 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (223 per 100K) in Cullowhee, which is consistent with national trends.