Offering an abundance of affordable housing, a diverse landscape and cutting-edge tech industries, we’re not the least surprised that the state of North Carolina is growing. In fact, according to U.S. Census data, during the first decade of the 21st Century North Carolina was the 6th fastest-growing state in America, enjoying an 18.5 percent increase in population. And its unemployment rate continues to fall.
If you’re considering a move to North Carolina, SafeWise encourages you to explore our all-inclusive North Carolina Safety Directory, which provides you with everything you need to know about personal home security and crime prevention in The Tar Heel State. Then, read through our comprehensive safe city guide.
We’ve paired the most recent FBI Crime Report with our own independent examination to bring you North Carolina’s top 50 safest cities to settle in. To make our list, a city had to have a population of over 5,000 as of 2012 and needed to meet criteria regarding both violent and property crimes, according to FBI statistics from 2012. We analyze the number of Violent Crimes, consisting of aggravated assault, forcible rape, murder, and robbery, as well as Property Crimes, consisting of arson, burglary, larceny-theft, and motor vehicle theft. Then we calculated the chance of these crimes happening out of 1,000 in order to level the playing field for the different populations of each city.
SafeWise wants you to keep in mind that although the FBI Crime Report is an outstanding, trusted source for crime statistics, not all North Carolina cities have reported complete data to the FBI.
If North Carolina is calling you, it’s time to discover your new hometown.
17. Brevard
Located in Western North Carolina, Brevard measures just 5.12 square miles. But don’t let its diminutive size fool you. Brevard has a reputation as a hub for the arts and the gateway to activity. Downtown Brevard is bustling with several creative annual festivals, such as the ever popular White Squirrel Music Festival. In addition to the arts, Brevard citizens also benefit from an average summer temperature of just 71.3 degrees and that makes recreation a major pursuit with Brevard families.
Call Brevard home and you’ll find your family putting down their electronics and picking up inner tubes for an invigorating float down a local stream, or strapping on hiking boots and exploring one of the many local trails. Brevard is the perfect jumping off point for excursions to Pisgah National Forest, DuPont State Forest, and Gorges State Park. Whether you want to surround yourself with the arts, or fish, canoe, kayak, camp, or rock climb you’ll have the chance to do it all in this safe quaint community.