Forest City, NC Crime Rate & Safety
Higher crime than 85% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Forest City Safe?
Not really — crime is above the national average
Neighborhood choice matters significantly. Stay aware of your surroundings, especially at night.
Forest City has a crime rate that is 40% above the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 185.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 185
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
42% higher than national average
Property Crime
1 in 32
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
70% higher than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Forest 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
|
148 | +48% | Moderate | |
|
Assault
|
141 | +41% | Moderate | |
|
Robbery
|
137 | +37% | Moderate | |
|
Rape
|
154 | +54% | Moderate | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
121 | +21% | Moderate | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
161 | +61% | Moderate | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
164 | +64% | Moderate | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Forest City Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Forest City Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Forest City zip codes.
Forest City Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Forest City, NC?
Forest City, NC has a crime safety grade of C- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 40% above the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 185 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 32 chance for property crime. Forest City has higher crime than 85% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Forest City, NC safe to live in?
Forest City has a moderate level of crime with a safety grade of C-. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Forest City is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Forest City?
The estimated violent crime rate in Forest City is 539.6 per 100,000 residents, which is 42% higher than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 185 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 7.4 per 100K (48% above average); aggravated assault at 378.7 per 100K (41% above average); robbery at 101.6 per 100K (37% above average).
What is the property crime rate in Forest City?
The estimated property crime rate in Forest City is 3,108.7 per 100,000 residents, which is 70% higher than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 32 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 327.3 per 100K (21% above average); larceny/theft at 2,258.7 per 100K (61% above average); vehicle theft at 522.7 per 100K (64% above average).
How does Forest City crime compare to the national average?
Forest City's overall crime rate is 40% above the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is vehicle theft (64% above average), while burglary is 21% above average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Forest City has higher crime than 85% of them.
Is Forest City safe to visit?
Visitors to Forest City should take standard urban precautions. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 70% 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.
How does Forest City crime compare to the rest of North Carolina?
North Carolina as a whole has crime that is 11% above the national average. Forest City's crime rate is 40% above the national average, making it more dangerous than the typical North Carolina city.
What type of crime is most common in Forest City?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Forest City, with an estimated rate of 2,258.7 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 61% above the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (3,109 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (540 per 100K) in Forest City, which is consistent with national trends.