Jefferson, NC Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 75% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Jefferson Safe?
Yes — Jefferson is safer than most cities
An above-average city for safety with lower crime than the national average.
Jefferson has a crime rate that is 40% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 447.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 447
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
41% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 76
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
29% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Jefferson 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
|
65 | -35% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
60 | -40% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
52 | -48% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
63 | -37% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
54 | -46% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
69 | -31% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
61 | -39% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Jefferson Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Jefferson Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Jefferson zip codes.
Jefferson Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Jefferson, NC?
Jefferson, NC has a crime safety grade of B+ as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 40% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 447 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 76 chance for property crime. Jefferson has lower crime than 75% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Jefferson, NC safe to live in?
Jefferson is generally considered a safe place to live, earning a crime grade of B+. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Jefferson is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Jefferson?
The estimated violent crime rate in Jefferson is 223.8 per 100,000 residents, which is 41% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 447 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 3.2 per 100K (35% below average); aggravated assault at 160.8 per 100K (40% below average); robbery at 38.7 per 100K (48% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Jefferson?
The estimated property crime rate in Jefferson is 1,309.6 per 100,000 residents, which is 29% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 76 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 145.9 per 100K (46% below average); larceny/theft at 969.9 per 100K (31% below average); vehicle theft at 193.8 per 100K (39% below average).
How does Jefferson crime compare to the national average?
Jefferson's overall crime rate is 40% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is larceny/theft (31% below average), while robbery is 48% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Jefferson has lower crime than 75% of them.
Is Jefferson safe to visit?
Jefferson is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 29% 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 Jefferson crime compare to the rest of North Carolina?
North Carolina as a whole has crime that is 11% above the national average. Jefferson's crime rate is 40% below the national average, making it safer the typical North Carolina city.
What type of crime is most common in Jefferson?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Jefferson, with an estimated rate of 969.9 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 31% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,310 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (224 per 100K) in Jefferson, which is consistent with national trends.