Sunset Beach, NC Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 65% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Sunset Beach Safe?
Yes — Sunset Beach has good safety overall
A city with below-average crime rates, though some neighborhoods may differ.
Sunset Beach has a crime rate that is 32% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 395.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 395
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
33% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 97
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
44% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Sunset Beach 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
|
52 | -48% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
75 | -25% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
47 | -53% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
39 | -61% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
54 | -46% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
49 | -51% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
61 | -39% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Sunset Beach Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Sunset Beach Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Sunset Beach zip codes.
Sunset Beach Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Sunset Beach, NC?
Sunset Beach, NC has a crime safety grade of B as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 32% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 395 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 97 chance for property crime. Sunset Beach has lower crime than 65% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Sunset Beach, NC safe to live in?
Sunset Beach 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 Sunset Beach is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Sunset Beach?
The estimated violent crime rate in Sunset Beach is 253.2 per 100,000 residents, which is 33% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 395 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 2.6 per 100K (48% below average); aggravated assault at 202.5 per 100K (25% below average); robbery at 35.1 per 100K (53% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Sunset Beach?
The estimated property crime rate in Sunset Beach is 1,033.1 per 100,000 residents, which is 44% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 97 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 145.9 per 100K (46% below average); larceny/theft at 693.7 per 100K (51% below average); vehicle theft at 193.5 per 100K (39% below average).
How does Sunset Beach crime compare to the national average?
Sunset Beach's overall crime rate is 32% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is assault (25% below average), while rape is 61% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Sunset Beach has lower crime than 65% of them.
Is Sunset Beach safe to visit?
Sunset Beach is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 44% 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 Sunset Beach crime compare to the rest of North Carolina?
North Carolina as a whole has crime that is 11% above the national average. Sunset Beach's crime rate is 32% below the national average, making it safer the typical North Carolina city.
What type of crime is most common in Sunset Beach?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Sunset Beach, with an estimated rate of 693.7 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 51% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,033 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (253 per 100K) in Sunset Beach, which is consistent with national trends.