Nags Head, 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 Nags Head Safe?
Yes — Nags Head is very safe
A very safe city with well below-average crime rates overall.
Nags Head has a crime rate that is 52% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 594.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 594
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
56% 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?
Nags Head 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
|
24 | -76% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
59 | -41% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
6 | -94% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
10 | -90% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
40 | -60% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
46 | -54% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
33 | -67% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Nags Head Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Nags Head Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Nags Head zip codes.
Nags Head Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Nags Head, NC?
Nags Head, NC has a crime safety grade of A as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 52% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 594 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 116 chance for property crime. Nags Head has lower crime than 98% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Nags Head, NC safe to live in?
Nags Head 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 Nags Head is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Nags Head?
The estimated violent crime rate in Nags Head is 168.4 per 100,000 residents, which is 56% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 594 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 1.2 per 100K (76% below average); aggravated assault at 158.9 per 100K (41% below average); robbery at 4.8 per 100K (94% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Nags Head?
The estimated property crime rate in Nags Head is 861.4 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 108.3 per 100K (60% below average); larceny/theft at 648.3 per 100K (54% below average); vehicle theft at 104.8 per 100K (67% below average).
How does Nags Head crime compare to the national average?
Nags Head's overall crime rate is 52% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is assault (41% below average), while robbery is 94% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Nags Head has lower crime than 98% of them.
Is Nags Head safe to visit?
Nags Head 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 Nags Head crime compare to the rest of North Carolina?
North Carolina as a whole has crime that is 11% above the national average. Nags Head's crime rate is 52% below the national average, making it safer the typical North Carolina city.
What type of crime is most common in Nags Head?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Nags Head, with an estimated rate of 648.3 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 54% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (861 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (168 per 100K) in Nags Head, which is consistent with national trends.