The 10 Safest Cities In North Carolina For 2026

The 10 Safest Cities In North Carolina For 2026

Situated in North Carolina's Moore County, Whispering Pines ranks as the safest city in the state, boasting a low 0/100k people violent crime rate and a minute 0.0 murder rate. The town's total crime rate of 257/100k people per captta positions it safest in terms of overall safety, reflecting efficient law enforcement practices despite its growth to a population of 5,431.

Even with an expanded populace, Whispering Pines maintains a 257/100k people property crime rate. Given their safety recound, they should consider a new city tagline like "Whispering Pines: Where Safety Sings."

2. Rolesville

Rolesville is the second safest city on our list and another Raleigh suburb.

While this suburb is a little more out in the boonies to the northeast of Raleigh, it still packs a safe punch for a city of its size. It has the second safest violent crime rate in the state, so you don't have to worry about getting in a fight with your neighbors.

The median income in town stands at 127575, and the median home will set you back 357200. That's actually pretty cheap for a median income that high.

3. Davidson

Let me say that I'm totally biased in favor of Davidson -- it's an awesome little college town on the north side of Charlotte. I suggest you spend a day walking around campus, eating on main street, and just taking it all in.

IMO, it's the ideal place to live in the state based on my six plus years living here. And, since it places third here, you also know it's safe. It has a top safety rating for both violent and property crime.

So pack your bags and feel confident in your move to Davidson -- if you can afford the price of entry to this safe haven.

4. Pinehurst

Welcome to Pinehurst, the fourth safest place to live in North Carolina for 2026.

Pinehurst managed to just miss out on Holly Springs this year and claim the number 4 overall spot in the Tarheel State thanks to the second safest property crime rate and second safest violent crime rate in the state.

So you know what that means? You can leave your car unlocked and doors open when you go out for your daily round of golf. And make sure to stop in at Betsy's for a crepe. I literally drive an hour each way at least twice a year to eat breakfast there -- it's awesome.

5. Waxhaw

Located in Union County, Waxhaw secured the fifth position for safety, thanks to its minimal violent crimes. With its 58/100k people violent crime rate and 422/100k people property crime rate, Waxhaw's is the seventh safest for violent crime and fourth safest for property crime.

Waxhaw's historical background as a gold mining town, coupled with its significant growth since 2010 leading up to 2026, has made it a desirable place for residents prioritizing safety. The town's current status as a hub for antiques and fine dining contributes to its reputation as a secure area with a small-town charm.

6. Stallings

7. Elon

Another fantastic college town, Elon, cracks the top 7 for the second year in a row.

Home to Elon University, you can be sure your college-aged kids are safe here -- it ranks in the top five for both categories of crime we analyzed. And don't be fooled by the seeming higher-than-average poverty rate -- those pesky college kids can't technically work full-time jobs, which messes with the national statistics.

Elon is located midway between Greensboro and Durham off of Route 40.

9. Fuquay-Varina

In North Carolina, Fuquay-Varina is becoming known for its safety, with 0 murders, 33 violent crimes, and 275 property crimes, ranking as the ninth safest location in North Carolina. Its low crime rates of 69/100k people for violence and 579/100k people for property offenses places it at #9 and #7 respectively amongst state towns. Its proximity to Research Triangle Park and the town's strategic placement near both coastal beaches and mountain ranges aids in the community's growth and safety reputation.

10. Winterville

Winterville may have a chilly name, but rest assured that it's a warm place to call home. Winterville experienced less than half as much violent and property crime as the national average in 2024, meaning residents don't have to worry about an assault or a mugging at Winterville Recreation Park. In terms of statewide comparisons, Winterville was more impressive in terms of property crime, with the ninth safest rate in the North Carolina.

Winterville is located in the east-central part of the state.

Methodology: How we calculated the safest cities in North Carolina for 2026

While there are surveys and public polls on what cities in North Carolina are the safest, we wanted to rely on something other than speculation and opinion. Instead, we looked at the hard numbers from the FBI's most recent crime report in North Carolina.

Specifically, we used Saturday Night Science to analyze the FBI's Uniform Crime Report, which summarizes the number of property and violent crimes in each city annually. We used two criteria:

• Violent crimes per capita (murders, assaults, rapes, armed robberies)
• Property crimes per capita (thefts, burglaries, motor vehicle thefts)

For example, there were 14 crimes committed in Whispering Pines, with a reported population of 5,431. That means the number of crimes per capita is 0.0026, which translates into a 1 in 387 chance of being the victim of a crime.

We only looked at North Carolina cities that have populations of more than 5,000. This filter left us with 109 of the biggest cities in North Carolina to rank.

We ranked each city for each criterion from 1 to 109 where 1 in any particular category is the safest.

Next, we averaged each place's two criteria to create a Safety Index. We crowned the place with the lowest overall Safety Score, "The Safest Place In North Carolina," with any ties going to the bigger city.

The safest city in North Carolina, based on our criteria, is Whispering Pines. The most dangerous city in North Carolina? Lumberton, where residents had a 1 in 8 chance of being the victim of a crime.

This article has been update for 2026. This report marks our eleventh time ranking the safest places to live in North Carolina. All the data comes from the FBI's Crime In The USA 2024 report.

Summary: The Safest Cities In The Tar Heel State

Looking at the data, you can tell that Whispering Pines is as safe as they come in North Carolina, according to science and data.

But as most North Carolina residents would agree, almost every place here has its safe and not safe parts. So just make sure you're informed ahead of time.

The safest places in North Carolina are .

Here's a look at the most dangerous cities in North Carolina according to the data:

1. Lumberton
2. Henderson
3. Goldsboro

For more reading, check out:

• Best Places To Raise A Family In North Carolina
• Best Places To Buy A House In North Carolina
• Best Places To Retire In North Carolina

Where Are The Safest Cities In North Carolina For 2026?

Safest Cities By State