Princeton, NC Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 35% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Princeton Safe?
Somewhat — crime is near the national average
Safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Some areas are safe, others are not.
Princeton has a crime rate that is 4% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 243.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 243
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
8% higher than national average
Property Crime
1 in 66
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
17% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Princeton 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
|
105 | +5% | Average | |
|
Assault
|
104 | +4% | Average | |
|
Robbery
|
127 | +27% | Moderate | |
|
Rape
|
98 | -2% | Average | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
118 | +18% | Average | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
68 | -32% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
76 | -24% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Princeton Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Princeton Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Princeton zip codes.
Princeton Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Princeton, NC?
Princeton, NC has a crime safety grade of C+ as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 4% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 243 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 66 chance for property crime. Princeton has lower crime than 35% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Princeton, NC safe to live in?
Princeton 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 Princeton is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Princeton?
The estimated violent crime rate in Princeton is 411.8 per 100,000 residents, which is 8% higher than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 243 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 5.3 per 100K (5% above average); aggravated assault at 279.7 per 100K (4% above average); robbery at 93.8 per 100K (27% above average).
What is the property crime rate in Princeton?
The estimated property crime rate in Princeton is 1,512.9 per 100,000 residents, which is 17% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 66 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 318.9 per 100K (18% above average); larceny/theft at 950.2 per 100K (32% below average); vehicle theft at 243.8 per 100K (24% below average).
How does Princeton crime compare to the national average?
Princeton's overall crime rate is 4% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is robbery (27% above average), while larceny/theft is 32% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Princeton has lower crime than 35% of them.
Is Princeton safe to visit?
Visitors to Princeton should take standard urban precautions. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 17% 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 Princeton crime compare to the rest of North Carolina?
North Carolina as a whole has crime that is 11% above the national average. Princeton's crime rate is 4% below the national average, making it roughly comparable to the typical North Carolina city.
What type of crime is most common in Princeton?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Princeton, with an estimated rate of 950.2 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 32% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,513 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (412 per 100K) in Princeton, which is consistent with national trends.