Roanoke Rapids, NC Crime Rate & Safety
Higher crime than 77% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Roanoke Rapids Safe?
It's average — crime is at the national average
Crime rates are comparable to the national average. Being aware of your surroundings is advisable.
Roanoke Rapids has a crime rate that is 16% above the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 244.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 244
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
8% higher than national average
Property Crime
1 in 33
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
64% higher than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Roanoke Rapids 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
|
132 | +32% | Moderate | |
|
Assault
|
110 | +10% | Average | |
|
Robbery
|
98 | -2% | Average | |
|
Rape
|
112 | +12% | Average | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
110 | +10% | Average | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
159 | +59% | Moderate | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
154 | +54% | Moderate | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Roanoke Rapids Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Roanoke Rapids Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Roanoke Rapids zip codes.
Roanoke Rapids Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Roanoke Rapids, NC?
Roanoke Rapids, NC has a crime safety grade of C as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 16% above the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 244 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 33 chance for property crime. Roanoke Rapids has higher crime than 77% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Roanoke Rapids, NC safe to live in?
Roanoke Rapids 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 Roanoke Rapids is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Roanoke Rapids?
The estimated violent crime rate in Roanoke Rapids is 410.1 per 100,000 residents, which is 8% higher than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 244 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 6.6 per 100K (32% above average); aggravated assault at 293.8 per 100K (10% above average); robbery at 72.2 per 100K (2% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Roanoke Rapids?
The estimated property crime rate in Roanoke Rapids is 3,013.5 per 100,000 residents, which is 64% higher than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 33 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 295.6 per 100K (10% above average); larceny/theft at 2,228.3 per 100K (59% above average); vehicle theft at 489.6 per 100K (54% above average).
How does Roanoke Rapids crime compare to the national average?
Roanoke Rapids's overall crime rate is 16% above the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is larceny/theft (59% above average), while robbery is 2% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Roanoke Rapids has higher crime than 77% of them.
Is Roanoke Rapids safe to visit?
Visitors to Roanoke Rapids should take standard urban precautions. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 64% 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 Roanoke Rapids crime compare to the rest of North Carolina?
North Carolina as a whole has crime that is 11% above the national average. Roanoke Rapids's crime rate is 16% above the national average, making it more dangerous than the typical North Carolina city.
What type of crime is most common in Roanoke Rapids?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Roanoke Rapids, with an estimated rate of 2,228.3 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 59% above the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (3,014 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (410 per 100K) in Roanoke Rapids, which is consistent with national trends.