Valdese, NC Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 80% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Valdese Safe?
Yes — Valdese is safer than most cities
An above-average city for safety with lower crime than the national average.
Valdese has a crime rate that is 42% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 474.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 474
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
45% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 129
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
58% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Valdese 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
|
58 | -42% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
59 | -41% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
37 | -63% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
62 | -38% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
36 | -64% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
36 | -64% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
53 | -47% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Valdese Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Valdese Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Valdese zip codes.
Valdese Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Valdese, NC?
Valdese, NC has a crime safety grade of B+ as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 42% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 474 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 129 chance for property crime. Valdese has lower crime than 80% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Valdese, NC safe to live in?
Valdese 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 Valdese is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Valdese?
The estimated violent crime rate in Valdese is 210.8 per 100,000 residents, which is 45% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 474 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 2.9 per 100K (42% below average); aggravated assault at 159.3 per 100K (41% below average); robbery at 27.7 per 100K (63% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Valdese?
The estimated property crime rate in Valdese is 773.6 per 100,000 residents, which is 58% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 129 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 96.2 per 100K (64% below average); larceny/theft at 509.8 per 100K (64% below average); vehicle theft at 167.6 per 100K (47% below average).
How does Valdese crime compare to the national average?
Valdese's overall crime rate is 42% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is rape (38% below average), while burglary is 64% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Valdese has lower crime than 80% of them.
Is Valdese safe to visit?
Valdese is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 58% 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 Valdese crime compare to the rest of North Carolina?
North Carolina as a whole has crime that is 11% above the national average. Valdese's crime rate is 42% below the national average, making it safer the typical North Carolina city.
What type of crime is most common in Valdese?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Valdese, with an estimated rate of 509.8 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 64% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (774 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (211 per 100K) in Valdese, which is consistent with national trends.