Wilmington, NC, Crime Rate 2024 – Latest Statistics

Whether you live in the Wilmington area or plan to visit or move there in the near future, it is understandable to want to know as much as possible about the Wilmington, NC, crime rate and the potential risks you might face in the area. Various government agencies and nongovernment organizations collect and report crime data from across the state each year, and knowing a few key data points is important for everyone.

Important Components of the Wilmington, NC, Crime Rate

The Wilmington Police Department recently released its report of the crime data from 2023, which included a few important data points you should know:

• Violent crime overall decreased from a rate of 617 in 2022 to a rate of 587 in 2023. Violent crime reduced by nearly 5% while murder decreased by about 8%, and aggravated assault decreased by less than 1%.
• Property crime increased from 2022 to 2023 by nearly 27%. This included all forms of property crime, including larceny, theft from vehicles, and burglary.
• Wilmington police officers responded to 15% fewer crimes inside Wilmington Housing Authority communities. This included 100% fewer robberies and an 89% decrease in incidents of motor vehicle theft.
• The number of reported rapes dropped from 79 to 40 from 2022 to 2023, indicating an almost 50% decrease.
• Wilmington has one of the highest rates of drug-related crime in the state.

It takes time for crime data to be collected, analyzed, and reported, so data for 2024 is not yet available. Taking the available data into consideration, everyone living in and visiting the Wilmington area should take steps to limit their risk of experiencing any type of crime, but they must also know what to do if a crime suddenly impacts their life.

How an Attorney Can Help After a Crime in Wilmington

If you become the victim of any type of crime, it is understandable to want to know what you can do in this situation to ensure the perpetrator faces justice and to recover your damages. While the state would handle criminal prosecution of the defendant for breaking the law, you would need to file a civil claim against them if they caused economic and non-economic damages that you intend to recover.

Whenever anyone inflicts harm on another party, it can lead to a personal injury claim in which the victim seeks compensation for their losses. However, if someone inflicts a personal injury by breaking the law, they not only face liability for the damages they caused but also criminal prosecution from the state for breaking the law. The fact that they broke the law could enhance their liability for damages to the victim.

Christina Rivenbark & Associates has extensive professional experience providing both criminal defense counsel and personal injury representation to clients in Wilmington and surrounding communities. Whether you need help recovering from a crime or you need to defend yourself against criminal charges, our firm is confident we can provide the legal counsel you need for your situation.

FAQs

Q: What Do Wilmington Residents Say About the Area’s Safety?

A: When it comes to what Wilmington residents have to say about the area’s safety, a report from Niche states that 63% of area residents consider it a reasonably safe place to live. Only 14% of residents state that they believe the area is very safe; 58% of residents report that they feel local police are both very visible and responsive; 6% of residents report that police are difficult to reach or unavailable when you need them.

Q: What Are the Most Common Violent Crimes in Wilmington?

A: The most common violent crimes in Wilmington include assault, calculated at about 364 per 100,000 residents, compared to a national average of 282 per 100,000 residents; murder at a rate of 10 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 6 per 100,000 residents; rape at a rate of 64 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 40 per 100,000 residents; and robbery at a rate of 93 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 135 per 100,000 residents.

Q: What Are the Most Common Property Crimes in Wilmington?

A: The most common property crimes in Wilmington include burglary at a rate of 394 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 500 per 100,000 residents; theft at a rate of 2,244 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,042 per 100,000 residents; and motor vehicle theft at a rate of 226 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 284 per 100,000 residents.

Q: What Should I Do if I’m Charged With a Crime in Wilmington?

A: If you are charged with a crime in Wilmington, the most important thing you can do is to secure defense counsel as quickly as possible. You have the right to legal counsel when you are charged with any crime, and it is vital that you take full advantage of this right to have the greatest chance of avoiding conviction or at least minimizing any penalties that might be assigned to you.

Q: What Should I Do if I’m the Victim of a Crime in Wilmington?

A: If you are the victim of a crime in Wilmington, you may have grounds for a civil suit against whoever harmed you. While the state will handle the prosecution of the at-fault party for breaking the law, a civil claim could enable you to recover compensation for any damages you suffered because of their actions. An experienced personal injury attorney is the ideal resource to consult in this situation.

Christina Rivenbark & Associates has years of professional experience in both criminal defense and personal injury law. If you find yourself on either side of any type of criminal case, you can rely on our team to defend your rights and help you reach the optimal outcome of the situation. Whether you need criminal defense representation or personal injury counsel in Wilmington, contact us today to schedule your consultation with our team and learn how we can help you.