Winston-salem, NC Crime Rate & Safety
Higher crime than 84% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Winston-salem Safe?
Not really — crime is above the national average
Neighborhood choice matters significantly. Stay aware of your surroundings, especially at night.
Winston-salem has a crime rate that is 37% above the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 189.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 189
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
39% higher than national average
Property Crime
1 in 32
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
68% higher than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Winston-salem 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
|
138 | +38% | Moderate | |
|
Assault
|
141 | +41% | Moderate | |
|
Robbery
|
137 | +37% | Moderate | |
|
Rape
|
127 | +27% | Moderate | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
145 | +45% | Moderate | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
158 | +58% | Moderate | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
150 | +50% | Moderate | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Winston-salem Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Winston-salem Demographics & Context
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Winston-salem, NC?
Winston-salem, NC has a crime safety grade of C- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 37% above the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 189 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 32 chance for property crime. Winston-salem has higher crime than 84% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Winston-salem, NC safe to live in?
Winston-salem has a moderate level of crime with a safety grade of C-. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Winston-salem is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Winston-salem?
The estimated violent crime rate in Winston-salem is 528.4 per 100,000 residents, which is 39% higher than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 189 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 6.9 per 100K (38% above average); aggravated assault at 377.8 per 100K (41% above average); robbery at 101.2 per 100K (37% above average).
What is the property crime rate in Winston-salem?
The estimated property crime rate in Winston-salem is 3,081.6 per 100,000 residents, which is 68% higher than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 32 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 390.7 per 100K (45% above average); larceny/theft at 2,212.7 per 100K (58% above average); vehicle theft at 478.2 per 100K (50% above average).
How does Winston-salem crime compare to the national average?
Winston-salem's overall crime rate is 37% above the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is larceny/theft (58% above average), while rape is 27% above average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Winston-salem has higher crime than 84% of them.
Is Winston-salem safe to visit?
Visitors to Winston-salem should take standard urban precautions. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 68% 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 Winston-salem crime compare to the rest of North Carolina?
North Carolina as a whole has crime that is 11% above the national average. Winston-salem's crime rate is 37% above the national average, making it more dangerous than the typical North Carolina city.
What type of crime is most common in Winston-salem?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Winston-salem, with an estimated rate of 2,212.7 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 58% above the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (3,082 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (528 per 100K) in Winston-salem, which is consistent with national trends.