Wanchese, NC Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 97% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Wanchese Safe?
Yes — Wanchese is very safe
A very safe city with well below-average crime rates overall.
Wanchese has a crime rate that is 52% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 242.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 242
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
8% higher 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?
Wanchese 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
|
47 | -53% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
78 | -22% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
182 | +82% | Moderate | |
|
Rape
|
198 | +98% | Moderate | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
222 | +122% | High | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
50 | -50% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
14 | -86% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Wanchese Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Wanchese Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Wanchese zip codes.
Wanchese Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Wanchese, NC?
Wanchese, NC has a crime safety grade of A as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 52% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 242 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 75 chance for property crime. Wanchese has lower crime than 97% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Wanchese, NC safe to live in?
Wanchese is generally considered a safe place to live, earning a crime grade of A. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Wanchese is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Wanchese?
The estimated violent crime rate in Wanchese is 413.0 per 100,000 residents, which is 8% higher than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 242 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 2.4 per 100K (53% below average); aggravated assault at 209.4 per 100K (22% below average); robbery at 134.6 per 100K (82% above average).
What is the property crime rate in Wanchese?
The estimated property crime rate in Wanchese is 1,336.9 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 598.5 per 100K (122% above average); larceny/theft at 694.9 per 100K (50% below average); vehicle theft at 43.5 per 100K (86% below average).
How does Wanchese crime compare to the national average?
Wanchese's overall crime rate is 52% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is burglary (122% above average), while vehicle theft is 86% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Wanchese has lower crime than 97% of them.
Is Wanchese safe to visit?
Wanchese 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 Wanchese crime compare to the rest of North Carolina?
North Carolina as a whole has crime that is 11% above the national average. Wanchese's crime rate is 52% below the national average, making it safer the typical North Carolina city.
What type of crime is most common in Wanchese?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Wanchese, with an estimated rate of 694.9 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 50% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,337 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (413 per 100K) in Wanchese, which is consistent with national trends.