Morehead City, NC Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 55% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Morehead City Safe?
Mostly yes — Morehead City is fairly safe
Crime is slightly below the national average, though some areas may vary.
Morehead City has a crime rate that is 24% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 331.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 331
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
21% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 57
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
4% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Morehead City 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
|
77 | -23% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
82 | -18% | Average | |
|
Robbery
|
70 | -30% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
80 | -20% | Average | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
69 | -31% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
90 | -10% | Average | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
98 | -2% | Average | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Morehead City Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Morehead City Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Morehead City zip codes.
Morehead City Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Morehead City, NC?
Morehead City, NC has a crime safety grade of B- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 24% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 331 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 57 chance for property crime. Morehead City has lower crime than 55% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Morehead City, NC safe to live in?
Morehead City 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 Morehead City is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Morehead City?
The estimated violent crime rate in Morehead City is 302.2 per 100,000 residents, which is 21% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 331 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 3.9 per 100K (23% below average); aggravated assault at 219.4 per 100K (18% below average); robbery at 51.9 per 100K (30% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Morehead City?
The estimated property crime rate in Morehead City is 1,763.4 per 100,000 residents, which is 4% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 57 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 185.3 per 100K (31% below average); larceny/theft at 1,265.7 per 100K (10% below average); vehicle theft at 312.4 per 100K (2% below average).
How does Morehead City crime compare to the national average?
Morehead City's overall crime rate is 24% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is vehicle theft (2% below average), while burglary is 31% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Morehead City has lower crime than 55% of them.
Is Morehead City safe to visit?
Morehead City is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 4% 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 Morehead City crime compare to the rest of North Carolina?
North Carolina as a whole has crime that is 11% above the national average. Morehead City's crime rate is 24% below the national average, making it safer the typical North Carolina city.
What type of crime is most common in Morehead City?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Morehead City, with an estimated rate of 1,265.7 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 10% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,763 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (302 per 100K) in Morehead City, which is consistent with national trends.