Poplar Branch, NC Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 93% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Poplar Branch Safe?
Yes — Poplar Branch is very safe
A very safe city with well below-average crime rates overall.
Poplar Branch has a crime rate that is 49% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 718.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 718
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
63% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 165
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
67% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Poplar Branch 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
|
50 | -50% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
43 | -57% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
21 | -79% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
21 | -79% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
51 | -49% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
31 | -69% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
11 | -89% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Poplar Branch Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Poplar Branch Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Poplar Branch zip codes.
Poplar Branch Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Poplar Branch, NC?
Poplar Branch, NC has a crime safety grade of A as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 49% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 718 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 165 chance for property crime. Poplar Branch has lower crime than 93% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Poplar Branch, NC safe to live in?
Poplar Branch 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 Poplar Branch is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Poplar Branch?
The estimated violent crime rate in Poplar Branch is 139.3 per 100,000 residents, which is 63% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 718 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 2.5 per 100K (50% below average); aggravated assault at 114.0 per 100K (57% below average); robbery at 15.7 per 100K (79% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Poplar Branch?
The estimated property crime rate in Poplar Branch is 604.5 per 100,000 residents, which is 67% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 165 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 138.8 per 100K (49% below average); larceny/theft at 429.1 per 100K (69% below average); vehicle theft at 36.6 per 100K (89% below average).
How does Poplar Branch crime compare to the national average?
Poplar Branch's overall crime rate is 49% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is burglary (49% below average), while vehicle theft is 89% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Poplar Branch has lower crime than 93% of them.
Is Poplar Branch safe to visit?
Poplar Branch is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 67% 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 Poplar Branch crime compare to the rest of North Carolina?
North Carolina as a whole has crime that is 11% above the national average. Poplar Branch's crime rate is 49% below the national average, making it safer the typical North Carolina city.
What type of crime is most common in Poplar Branch?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Poplar Branch, with an estimated rate of 429.1 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 69% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (605 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (139 per 100K) in Poplar Branch, which is consistent with national trends.