Upper Downtown Neighborhood, Wilmington

Crime Rate & Statistics

B-

Fairly safe — slightly below-average crime levels

Safer than 10% of neighborhoods in Wilmington

Safety at a Glance

Overall Crime High
Low 190 / 300 High
Violent Crime 182
82% above national avg
Property Crime 174
74% above national avg
City Ranking
10%
safer than other
Wilmington neighborhoods

Check a specific address

in Wilmington

Is Upper Downtown Safe?

Mostly yes — this neighborhood is fairly safe. Upper Downtown in Wilmington, NC has a safety grade of B-. The overall crime index is 190, which is 90% above the national average of 100. Upper Downtown is safer than 10% of neighborhoods in Wilmington.

Compared to the Wilmington average (crime index 90), Upper Downtown is 100% higher in overall crime. Residents and visitors should exercise extra caution in this area, particularly after dark.

Looking at specific crime types, murder is the most elevated concern (index: 186, 86% above average), while burglary is the lowest risk (index: 159).

Highest Risk
Murder · Index 186 (86% above avg)
Lowest Risk
Burglary · Index 159 (59% above avg)

Upper Downtown Crime Breakdown

Crime indices compared to national average (100) and Wilmington city average. Higher values mean more crime.

Crime Type Index vs National Risk Level
Violent Crime
Murder
186 +86% High
Assault
183 +83% High
Robbery
180 +80% High
Rape
178 +78% High
Property Crime
Burglary
159 +59% High
Larceny / Theft
182 +82% High
Vehicle Theft
182 +82% High

How Upper Downtown Compares

Crime index by category: Upper Downtown vs Wilmington average vs national average.

Crime by Category

Overall Crime Comparison

Upper Downtown Crime Map

Crime heatmap based on block-group level data. Red areas indicate higher crime density.

Full Screen Map
Crime Level: Low Below Avg Average Above Avg High

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Upper Downtown Demographics & Context

Population
693
Median Income
$55,447
Home Value
$266,143
Median Age
41
Pop. Density
2,040/mi²

Education

Bachelor's Degree 28.8%
Graduate Degree 17.1%

Housing

27%
73%
Owner-occupied Renter-occupied

Racial Demographics

White 65.2%
Black 30.4%
Hispanic 2.4%
Asian 1.3%

Nearby Neighborhoods

Historic Downtown Index: 185
B
Northside Index: 183
D+
Hemenway Index: 191
C-
Old Wilmington Index: 148
B
The Bottom Index: 123
C+
Hightsville Index: 43
A
Princess Place Index: 109
A
Chestnut Index: 124
B+
Upper Downtown Crime Map
Interactive crime heatmap for this neighborhood
Wilmington Crime Statistics
View all Wilmington neighborhoods & city-wide data

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Upper Downtown, Wilmington?

Upper Downtown in Wilmington, NC has a crime safety grade of B- as of 2026. The overall crime index is 190, which is 90% above the national average. Compared to the Wilmington average, crime in Upper Downtown is 100% higher. Upper Downtown is safer than 10% of neighborhoods in Wilmington.

Is Upper Downtown a safe neighborhood in Wilmington?

Upper Downtown is generally considered a safe neighborhood in Wilmington, earning a crime grade of B-. The highest concern is Murder (index: 186), while Burglary is the lowest risk (index: 159).

How does Upper Downtown compare to the rest of Wilmington?

Upper Downtown's overall crime index is 190, compared to the Wilmington average of 90. This means crime in Upper Downtown is 100% higher than the city average. For violent crime, the index is 182, and for property crime it is 174. However, crime can vary block by block, so checking the crime map for specific streets is recommended.

What type of crime is most common in Upper Downtown?

The most prevalent crime type in Upper Downtown is Murder, with a crime index of 186 (86% above the national average). Violent crime is a particular concern in this neighborhood relative to property crime.

What are safer neighborhoods near Upper Downtown?

Nearby neighborhoods with good safety ratings include Historic Downtown, Old Wilmington, Hightsville and Princess Place. These areas are close to Upper Downtown and offer lower crime rates, making them worth considering for residents who prioritize safety.

What are the demographics of Upper Downtown?

Upper Downtown has a population of approximately 693. The median household income is $55,447. The median home value is $266,143. Research shows that economic factors can correlate with crime rates, though many other variables play a role in neighborhood safety.

How does Upper Downtown crime compare to the national average?

Upper Downtown's overall crime rate is 90% above the national average (index 190 vs 100). Within Wilmington, it is safer than 10% of neighborhoods. For the most accurate picture, review the per-crime-type breakdown above, as some categories may differ significantly from the overall trend.

Crime data sourced from FBI UCR reports and local law enforcement agencies. Crime indices use 100 as the national average. Updated March 2026.