Tar Heel, NC Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 56% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Tar Heel Safe?
Mostly yes — Tar Heel is fairly safe
Crime is slightly below the national average, though some areas may vary.
Tar Heel has a crime rate that is 26% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 310.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 310
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
15% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 53
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
3% higher than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Tar Heel 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
|
84 | -16% | Average | |
|
Assault
|
76 | -24% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
106 | +6% | Average | |
|
Rape
|
105 | +5% | Average | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
165 | +65% | Moderate | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
95 | -5% | Average | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
34 | -66% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Tar Heel Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Tar Heel Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Tar Heel zip codes.
Tar Heel Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Tar Heel, NC?
Tar Heel, NC has a crime safety grade of B- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 26% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 310 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 53 chance for property crime. Tar Heel has lower crime than 56% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Tar Heel, NC safe to live in?
Tar Heel 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 Tar Heel is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Tar Heel?
The estimated violent crime rate in Tar Heel is 322.8 per 100,000 residents, which is 15% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 310 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 4.2 per 100K (16% below average); aggravated assault at 204.6 per 100K (24% below average); robbery at 78.6 per 100K (6% above average).
What is the property crime rate in Tar Heel?
The estimated property crime rate in Tar Heel is 1,881.5 per 100,000 residents, which is 3% higher than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 53 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 446.4 per 100K (65% above average); larceny/theft at 1,325.5 per 100K (5% below average); vehicle theft at 109.6 per 100K (66% below average).
How does Tar Heel crime compare to the national average?
Tar Heel's overall crime rate is 26% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is burglary (65% above average), while vehicle theft is 66% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Tar Heel has lower crime than 56% of them.
Is Tar Heel safe to visit?
Tar Heel is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 3% 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 Tar Heel crime compare to the rest of North Carolina?
North Carolina as a whole has crime that is 11% above the national average. Tar Heel's crime rate is 26% below the national average, making it safer the typical North Carolina city.
What type of crime is most common in Tar Heel?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Tar Heel, with an estimated rate of 1,325.5 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 5% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,882 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (323 per 100K) in Tar Heel, which is consistent with national trends.