Hays, NC Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 98% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Hays Safe?
Yes — Hays is extremely safe
One of the safest cities in the country, with crime rates significantly below the national average.
Hays has a crime rate that is 53% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 523.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 523
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
50% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 145
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
62% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Hays 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
|
48 | -52% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
45 | -55% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
63 | -37% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
66 | -34% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
65 | -35% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
28 | -72% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
39 | -61% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Hays Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Hays Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Hays zip codes.
Hays Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Hays, NC?
Hays, NC has a crime safety grade of A+ as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 53% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 523 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 145 chance for property crime. Hays has lower crime than 98% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Hays, NC safe to live in?
Hays is generally considered a safe place to live, earning a crime grade of A+. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Hays is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Hays?
The estimated violent crime rate in Hays is 191.3 per 100,000 residents, which is 50% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 523 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 2.4 per 100K (52% below average); aggravated assault at 120.2 per 100K (55% below average); robbery at 46.4 per 100K (37% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Hays?
The estimated property crime rate in Hays is 691.5 per 100,000 residents, which is 62% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 145 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 174.2 per 100K (35% below average); larceny/theft at 394.1 per 100K (72% below average); vehicle theft at 123.2 per 100K (61% below average).
How does Hays crime compare to the national average?
Hays's overall crime rate is 53% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is rape (34% below average), while larceny/theft is 72% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Hays has lower crime than 98% of them.
Is Hays safe to visit?
Hays is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 62% 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 Hays crime compare to the rest of North Carolina?
North Carolina as a whole has crime that is 11% above the national average. Hays's crime rate is 53% below the national average, making it safer the typical North Carolina city.
What type of crime is most common in Hays?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Hays, with an estimated rate of 394.1 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 72% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (692 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (191 per 100K) in Hays, which is consistent with national trends.