Lake Waccamaw, NC Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 48% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Lake Waccamaw Safe?
Mostly yes — Lake Waccamaw is fairly safe
Crime is slightly below the national average, though some areas may vary.
Lake Waccamaw has a crime rate that is 18% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 302.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 302
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
13% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 116
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
53% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Lake Waccamaw 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
|
94 | -6% | Average | |
|
Robbery
|
72 | -28% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
68 | -32% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
82 | -18% | Average | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
37 | -63% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
37 | -63% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Lake Waccamaw Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Lake Waccamaw Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Lake Waccamaw zip codes.
Lake Waccamaw Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Lake Waccamaw, NC?
Lake Waccamaw, NC has a crime safety grade of B- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 18% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 302 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 116 chance for property crime. Lake Waccamaw has lower crime than 48% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Lake Waccamaw, NC safe to live in?
Lake Waccamaw 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 Lake Waccamaw is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Lake Waccamaw?
The estimated violent crime rate in Lake Waccamaw is 330.7 per 100,000 residents, which is 13% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 302 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 252.5 per 100K (6% below average); robbery at 53.0 per 100K (28% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Lake Waccamaw?
The estimated property crime rate in Lake Waccamaw is 860.2 per 100,000 residents, which is 53% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 116 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 221.1 per 100K (18% below average); larceny/theft at 520.7 per 100K (63% below average); vehicle theft at 118.4 per 100K (63% below average).
How does Lake Waccamaw crime compare to the national average?
Lake Waccamaw's overall crime rate is 18% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is assault (6% below average), while larceny/theft is 63% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Lake Waccamaw has lower crime than 48% of them.
Is Lake Waccamaw safe to visit?
Lake Waccamaw is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 53% 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 Lake Waccamaw crime compare to the rest of North Carolina?
North Carolina as a whole has crime that is 11% above the national average. Lake Waccamaw's crime rate is 18% below the national average, making it safer the typical North Carolina city.
What type of crime is most common in Lake Waccamaw?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Lake Waccamaw, with an estimated rate of 520.7 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 63% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (860 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (331 per 100K) in Lake Waccamaw, which is consistent with national trends.