Morningside Heights Neighborhood, Durham
Crime Rate & Statistics
High crime area — significantly above-average crime rates
Safety at a Glance
Check a specific address
in Durham
Is Morningside Heights Safe?
No — this is a high-crime area. Morningside Heights in Durham, NC has a safety grade of D. The overall crime index is 181, which is 81% above the national average of 100.
Compared to the Durham average (crime index 85), Morningside Heights is 96% higher in overall crime. Residents and visitors should exercise extra caution in this area, particularly after dark.
Looking at specific crime types, rape is the most elevated concern (index: 180, 80% above average), while robbery is the lowest risk (index: 121).
Morningside Heights Crime Breakdown
Crime indices compared to national average (100) and Durham city average. Higher values mean more crime.
| Crime Type | Index | vs National | Risk Level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | ||||
|
Murder
|
163 | +63% | High | |
|
Assault
|
179 | +79% | High | |
|
Robbery
|
121 | +21% | Moderate | |
|
Rape
|
180 | +80% | High | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
126 | +26% | Moderate | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
162 | +62% | High | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
177 | +77% | High | |
How Morningside Heights Compares
Crime index by category: Morningside Heights vs Durham average vs national average.
Crime by Category
Overall Crime Comparison
Morningside Heights Crime Map
Crime heatmap based on block-group level data. Red areas indicate higher crime density.
See the crime score for a specific address
Morningside Heights Demographics & Context
Education
Housing
Racial Demographics
Nearby Neighborhoods
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Morningside Heights, Durham?
Morningside Heights in Durham, NC has a crime safety grade of D as of 2026. The overall crime index is 181, which is 81% above the national average. Compared to the Durham average, crime in Morningside Heights is 96% higher.
Is Morningside Heights a safe neighborhood in Durham?
Morningside Heights has elevated crime levels with a safety grade of D. Extra caution is recommended, especially at night. The highest concern is Rape (index: 180), while Robbery is the lowest risk (index: 121).
How does Morningside Heights compare to the rest of Durham?
Morningside Heights's overall crime index is 181, compared to the Durham average of 85. This means crime in Morningside Heights is 96% higher than the city average. For violent crime, the index is 161, and for property crime it is 155. However, crime can vary block by block, so checking the crime map for specific streets is recommended.
What type of crime is most common in Morningside Heights?
The most prevalent crime type in Morningside Heights is Rape, with a crime index of 180 (80% above the national average). Violent crime is a particular concern in this neighborhood relative to property crime.
What are safer neighborhoods near Morningside Heights?
Nearby neighborhoods include Old East Durham, Wellons Village, Eastway Village, Franklin Village. Check their individual crime statistics pages for detailed safety information.
What are the demographics of Morningside Heights?
Morningside Heights has a population of approximately 30. The median household income is $23,376. The median home value is $159,220. Research shows that economic factors can correlate with crime rates, though many other variables play a role in neighborhood safety.
How does Morningside Heights crime compare to the national average?
Morningside Heights's overall crime rate is 81% above the national average (index 181 vs 100). For the most accurate picture, review the per-crime-type breakdown above, as some categories may differ significantly from the overall trend.
Crime data sourced from FBI UCR reports and local law enforcement agencies. Crime indices use 100 as the national average. Updated April 2026.