Hickory, NC Crime Rate & Safety

Hickory, NC has a crime safety grade of C as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 3% above the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 247 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 40 chance for property crime. Hickory has higher crime than 69% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).

Hickory has a moderate level of crime with a safety grade of C. Approximately 75% of the city's 12 neighborhoods are rated A or B for safety. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. For example, Northlakes is one of the safest areas, while Ridgeview has higher crime rates. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Hickory is strongly recommended.

Based on 2026 crime data, the safest neighborhoods in Hickory are Northlakes, Forest Hills, Lakeland Park, Mountain View, and Oakwood / Hillcrest. These areas have significantly lower crime rates than the city average and are popular choices for families, professionals, and anyone prioritizing safety.

The neighborhoods with the highest crime rates in Hickory include Ridgeview, Green Park, Kenworth, West Hickory / Westmont, and Highland. These areas experience significantly more crime than the city average. Visitors and prospective residents should exercise extra caution in these neighborhoods, particularly at night.

The estimated violent crime rate in Hickory is 404.4 per 100,000 residents, which is 6% higher than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 247 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 5.4 per 100K (9% above average); aggravated assault at 292.0 per 100K (9% above average); robbery at 76.5 per 100K (3% above average).

The estimated property crime rate in Hickory is 2,529.3 per 100,000 residents, which is 38% higher than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 40 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 298.6 per 100K (11% above average); larceny/theft at 1,829.1 per 100K (30% above average); vehicle theft at 401.6 per 100K (26% above average).

Hickory's overall crime rate is 3% above the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is larceny/theft (30% above average), while rape is 9% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Hickory has higher crime than 69% of them.

Visitors to Hickory should take standard urban precautions. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 38% 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. Popular, safer areas for visitors include Northlakes, Forest Hills, Lakeland Park.

North Carolina as a whole has crime that is 11% above the national average. Hickory's crime rate is 3% above the national average, which is roughly in line with the state's overall rate.

Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Hickory, with an estimated rate of 1,829.1 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 30% above the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (2,529 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (404 per 100K) in Hickory, which is consistent with national trends.