Wilmington, NC Crime Rate & Safety

Wilmington, NC has a crime safety grade of C+ as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 7% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 277 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 48 chance for property crime. Wilmington has lower crime than 38% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).

Wilmington has a moderate level of crime with a safety grade of C+. Approximately 90% of the city's 83 neighborhoods are rated A or B for safety. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. For example, Woodberry Forest is one of the safest areas, while Airport Industrial District has higher crime rates. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Wilmington is strongly recommended.

Based on 2026 crime data, the safest neighborhoods in Wilmington are Woodberry Forest, Beasley, Blue Clay Farms, Cypress Parke, and Tanglewood. These areas have significantly lower crime rates than the city average and are popular choices for families, professionals, and anyone prioritizing safety.

The neighborhoods with the highest crime rates in Wilmington include Airport Industrial District, Dry Pond / South Side, Northside, Hemenway, and Old East Wilmington. These areas experience significantly more crime than the city average. Visitors and prospective residents should exercise extra caution in these neighborhoods, particularly at night.

The estimated violent crime rate in Wilmington is 361.0 per 100,000 residents, which is 5% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 277 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 5.0 per 100K (0% below average); aggravated assault at 256.6 per 100K (4% below average); robbery at 70.0 per 100K (5% below average).

The estimated property crime rate in Wilmington is 2,103.3 per 100,000 residents, which is 15% higher than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 48 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 253.3 per 100K (6% below average); larceny/theft at 1,516.5 per 100K (8% above average); vehicle theft at 333.5 per 100K (5% above average).

Wilmington's overall crime rate is 7% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is larceny/theft (8% above average), while rape is 12% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Wilmington has lower crime than 38% of them.

Visitors to Wilmington should take standard urban precautions. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 15% 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. Popular, safer areas for visitors include Woodberry Forest, Beasley, Blue Clay Farms.

North Carolina as a whole has crime that is 11% above the national average. Wilmington's crime rate is 7% below the national average, making it roughly comparable to the typical North Carolina city.

Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Wilmington, with an estimated rate of 1,516.5 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 8% above the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (2,103 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (361 per 100K) in Wilmington, which is consistent with national trends.