Rutherfordton, NC Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 72% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Rutherfordton Safe?
Yes — Rutherfordton has good safety overall
A city with below-average crime rates, though some neighborhoods may differ.
Rutherfordton has a crime rate that is 37% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 324.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 324
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
19% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 75
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
27% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Rutherfordton 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
|
62 | -38% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
85 | -15% | Average | |
|
Robbery
|
66 | -34% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
88 | -12% | Average | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
64 | -36% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
67 | -33% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
71 | -29% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Rutherfordton Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Rutherfordton Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Rutherfordton zip codes.
Rutherfordton Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Rutherfordton, NC?
Rutherfordton, NC has a crime safety grade of B as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 37% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 324 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 75 chance for property crime. Rutherfordton has lower crime than 72% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Rutherfordton, NC safe to live in?
Rutherfordton is generally considered a safe place to live, earning a crime grade of B. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Rutherfordton is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Rutherfordton?
The estimated violent crime rate in Rutherfordton is 308.6 per 100,000 residents, which is 19% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 324 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 3.1 per 100K (38% below average); aggravated assault at 226.9 per 100K (15% below average); robbery at 49.0 per 100K (34% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Rutherfordton?
The estimated property crime rate in Rutherfordton is 1,339.0 per 100,000 residents, which is 27% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 75 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 173.1 per 100K (36% below average); larceny/theft at 938.9 per 100K (33% below average); vehicle theft at 227.0 per 100K (29% below average).
How does Rutherfordton crime compare to the national average?
Rutherfordton's overall crime rate is 37% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is rape (12% below average), while murder is 38% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Rutherfordton has lower crime than 72% of them.
Is Rutherfordton safe to visit?
Rutherfordton is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 27% 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 Rutherfordton crime compare to the rest of North Carolina?
North Carolina as a whole has crime that is 11% above the national average. Rutherfordton's crime rate is 37% below the national average, making it safer the typical North Carolina city.
What type of crime is most common in Rutherfordton?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Rutherfordton, with an estimated rate of 938.9 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 33% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,339 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (309 per 100K) in Rutherfordton, which is consistent with national trends.