Gaston, NC Crime Rate & Safety
Higher crime than 94% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Gaston Safe?
No — crime is noticeably above average
Choosing the right neighborhood is critical for personal safety.
Gaston has a crime rate that is 84% above the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 154.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 154
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
70% higher than national average
Property Crime
1 in 17
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
225% higher than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Gaston 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
|
197 | +97% | Moderate | |
|
Assault
|
169 | +69% | Moderate | |
|
Robbery
|
168 | +68% | Moderate | |
|
Rape
|
178 | +78% | Moderate | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
315 | +215% | High | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
300 | +200% | High | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
280 | +180% | High | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Gaston Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Gaston Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Gaston zip codes.
Gaston Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Gaston, NC?
Gaston, NC has a crime safety grade of D+ as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 84% above the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 154 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 17 chance for property crime. Gaston has higher crime than 94% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Gaston, NC safe to live in?
Gaston has elevated crime levels with a safety grade of D+. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Gaston is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Gaston?
The estimated violent crime rate in Gaston is 647.8 per 100,000 residents, which is 70% higher than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 154 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 9.8 per 100K (97% above average); aggravated assault at 454.2 per 100K (69% above average); robbery at 123.8 per 100K (68% above average).
What is the property crime rate in Gaston?
The estimated property crime rate in Gaston is 5,955.9 per 100,000 residents, which is 225% higher than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 17 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 849.9 per 100K (215% above average); larceny/theft at 4,212.0 per 100K (200% above average); vehicle theft at 894.0 per 100K (180% above average).
How does Gaston crime compare to the national average?
Gaston's overall crime rate is 84% above the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is burglary (215% above average), while robbery is 68% above average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Gaston has higher crime than 94% of them.
Is Gaston safe to visit?
Visitors to Gaston should be cautious, especially in high-crime neighborhoods. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 225% 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 Gaston crime compare to the rest of North Carolina?
North Carolina as a whole has crime that is 11% above the national average. Gaston's crime rate is 84% above the national average, making it more dangerous than the typical North Carolina city.
What type of crime is most common in Gaston?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Gaston, with an estimated rate of 4,212.0 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 200% above the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (5,956 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (648 per 100K) in Gaston, which is consistent with national trends.