New Bern, NC Crime Rate & Safety
Higher crime than 87% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is New Bern Safe?
Not really — crime is above the national average
Neighborhood choice matters significantly. Stay aware of your surroundings, especially at night.
New Bern has a crime rate that is 46% above the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 195.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 195
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
35% higher than national average
Property Crime
1 in 35
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
58% higher than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
New Bern 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
|
142 | +42% | Moderate | |
|
Assault
|
146 | +46% | Moderate | |
|
Robbery
|
111 | +11% | Average | |
|
Rape
|
95 | -5% | Average | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
129 | +29% | Moderate | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
149 | +49% | Moderate | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
143 | +43% | Moderate | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
New Bern Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
New Bern Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific New Bern zip codes.
New Bern Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in New Bern, NC?
New Bern, NC has a crime safety grade of C- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 46% above the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 195 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 35 chance for property crime. New Bern has higher crime than 87% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is New Bern, NC safe to live in?
New Bern has a moderate level of crime with a safety grade of C-. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting New Bern is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in New Bern?
The estimated violent crime rate in New Bern is 513.3 per 100,000 residents, which is 35% higher than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 195 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 7.1 per 100K (42% above average); aggravated assault at 392.4 per 100K (46% above average); robbery at 81.9 per 100K (11% above average).
What is the property crime rate in New Bern?
The estimated property crime rate in New Bern is 2,887.2 per 100,000 residents, which is 58% higher than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 35 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 348.5 per 100K (29% above average); larceny/theft at 2,083.2 per 100K (49% above average); vehicle theft at 455.5 per 100K (43% above average).
How does New Bern crime compare to the national average?
New Bern's overall crime rate is 46% above the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is larceny/theft (49% above average), while rape is 5% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, New Bern has higher crime than 87% of them.
Is New Bern safe to visit?
Visitors to New Bern should take standard urban precautions. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 58% 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.
How does New Bern crime compare to the rest of North Carolina?
North Carolina as a whole has crime that is 11% above the national average. New Bern's crime rate is 46% above the national average, making it more dangerous than the typical North Carolina city.
What type of crime is most common in New Bern?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in New Bern, with an estimated rate of 2,083.2 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 49% above the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (2,887 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (513 per 100K) in New Bern, which is consistent with national trends.