Wilmington, NC, Crime Rate 2025 – Latest Statistics

Whether you’re considering a big move or you’re simply curious about crime rates, understanding the crime landscape of a city can help you stay safe in your day-to-day life. If you want to know about the Wilmington, NC, crime rate, it’s important to look at the big picture. This includes what types of crimes are prominent in the area, what’s causing the presence of these crimes, and how you can protect yourself.

Situations can happen anywhere, at any time, to anyone. It’s impossible to predict all the dangers that you can face on a given day. That said, by better understanding how crime functions in Wilmington, you can take the right steps to protect yourself, and you can avoid areas that pose unnecessary risks.

A Brief Look at Crime in Wilmington, NC

From 2020 to 2024, the number of violent crimes in Wilmington has decreased by approximately 45 percent. Wilmington Police Chief Donny Williams reported a 15 percent decrease in homicides between 2023 and 2024.

Crimes involving domestic violence, on the other hand, have increased by about 34 percent since 2019. Moreover, the Wilmington Police Department (WPD) reported a 26.26 percent increase in property crimes between 2022 and 2023.

The projected cost of crime in New Hanover County for the year 2025 is about $116,373,143. The projected cost in Wilmington alone is about $95,740,139. These figures include criminal justice system costs, direct costs to the victims, and lost economic contributions due to time in prison or away from work.

Ultimately, Wilmington is not the safest city in North Carolina. In fact, it comes in the 10th percentile for safety, which means it’s considered less safe than 90 percent of cities. The southeast part of the city is considered to be the safest, while the rest of the southern parts of the city see the most incidents.

How to Keep Yourself Safe in Wilmington, NC

Whenever you are out in public, it’s important to take precautions to keep yourself safe. These are general tips that can help you anywhere in public spaces as well as specific spaces in Wilmington. To protect yourself when you’re out and about, it’s important to stay alert and be confident.

People target victims who look lost or unsure of themselves. Be sure to check in with yourself and trust your instincts. Always lead with caution, avoid being on your phone while walking, be wary of strangers, walk with at least one other person, know where you’re going, lock your car doors, and park in well-lit areas.

It’s also a good practice to switch the routes you travel on a regular basis. If you go to and from work at the same time every day, try to find alternate routes. If you go for a daily walk, head out at different times and take different routes. If someone is determined to mess with you, they can begin watching long before they make contact with you. Don’t make their job easier.

Crime Awareness and Prevention in Wilmington, NC

The WPD community engagement unit comprises four sworn officers and three civilian employees who work to promote positive relations between law enforcement and the Wilmington community.

The WPD became a nationally accredited law enforcement agency through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) in 2011. As a part of this accreditation, it maintains a public feedback forum through the CALEA Public Comment Portal. It also runs a variety of crime prevention programs to educate the community.

Moreover, the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office has a Crime Awareness & Prevention Unit whose primary function is to reduce and prevent crime through outreach and educational programs. Currently, they host a wide range of programs, with many aimed at educating young children and elderly adults on common dangers they can face, as well as easy safety precautions they can take.

FAQs

Is Wilmington, NC, a Good Place to Live?

In general, Wilmington, NC, is considered a good place to live. It’s a popular spot for families and older adults heading into retirement. That said, the diverse entertainment options still attract a variety of young residents, too. However, the city does have a higher crime rate, so it’s important to do your research about where to live. In recent years, most violent crimes have been on the decline, but domestic violence and property crimes are still rising.

Is Wilmington Safer Than Charlotte in North Carolina?

Wilmington and Charlotte are fairly comparable when it comes to their safety ratings. Both cities have higher-than-average crime rates, with assault being the leading violent crime and theft being the leading property crime in both areas. Wilmington is considered slightly less safe, with a crime rate of 48.59 per 1,000 residents vs. Charlotte’s 37.53 per 1,000 residents.

Which City in North Carolina Is the Safest?

Pinehurst has often been named the safest city in North Carolina by multiple sources over the past few decades. Moreover, 99 percent of Pinehurst residents rate their feeling of overall safety as “good” or “excellent.” Other cities in North Carolina that have low crime rates and high safety ratings are Apex, Davidson, Holly Springs, Morrisville, and Rolesville.

What Are the Most Common Crimes in Wilmington?

It’s important to understand the landscape of crime in the area you live in so you can take the right preventive measures to keep yourself safe. Wilmington is known for having higher-than-average crime rates for both violent and property crimes. Common violent crimes in the area include aggravated assault, murder, rape, and robbery. Common property crimes include arson, burglary, kidnapping, theft, and vehicle theft.

Talk to a Wilmington Criminal Lawyer if You Need Legal Counsel in North Carolina

Understanding how crime impacts an area can help you keep yourself safe and avoid unnecessary risks. As a local Wilmington criminal law firm, The Shotwell Law Group is committed to understanding the landscape of crime in the city and educating as many residents as possible.

If you’re seeking legal help, a Wilmington criminal attorney can help you through any stage of the process. Reach out to our team at The Shotwell Law Group to set up a consultation and discuss your situation in depth today.