Is Chapel Hill, NC, a Safe Place to Live? (Crime Statistics) 

Is Chapel Hill, NC, a safe place to live? Below, you will find information on Chapel Hill crime statistics, the safe neighborhoods in Chapel Hill, and tips and tricks on how to stay safe in Chapel Hill.

If you are considering moving to Chapel Hill, NC, you will quickly find out why people love living here. As one of the best places to live in NC, Chapel Hill is more than just a town. 

Home to the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, this college town is full of life, education, jobs, and sports. With a population of 61,128, it is home to students, young professionals, families, and retirees. 

In addition to being home to one of the best universities in the state, Chapel Hill has an abundance of museums, shops, restaurants, historical sites, bars, parks, prime real estate, and a low crime rate. You will never get bored living in Chapel Hill. 

Crime is one of the most important things you should consider before moving to a new location. Luckily, North Carolina is known as a safe state, and no matter your age, safety should be a top priority. 

Since we understand the importance of finding a safe home, let's look further into Chapel Hill's safety and the safest neighborhoods in Chapel Hill to make sure you and your family are happy and safe in your new home. 

Keep reading to learn all about how safe Chapel Hill, NC, is. 

1. City of Chapel Hill's Crime Statistics

Chapel Hill is considered to be a relatively safe place to live. Of course, no city is completely free of crime, but Chapel Hill offers lower-than-average crime rates for almost every offense. 

Specifically, the violent crime rate is much lower than the national average, which is 22.7. In addition, Chapel Hill's rate of property crime is slightly lower than the U.S. average, which is 35.4. 

	Violent	Property
Number of Crimes	58	926
Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents)	11.8	33.4

*Sourced from the FBI North Carolina Crime Report

Burglary accounted for the highest number of crimes in 2021, followed by dating/ domestic violence and aggravated assault. 

If we look a bit closer at the specific crimes, Chapel Hill boasts low numbers in almost all the categories. Here is a closer look at the number of offenses committed in 2021 sourced from the UNC Police Crime Statistics: 

Offenses	# of Crimes in 2021
Robbery	11
Burglary	96
Arson	2
Motor Vehicle Theft	24
Drug-Related Arrests	14

Compared to the national average, the number of crimes in Chapel Hill is significantly lower. This means you are much less likely to be the victim of a violent or property crime by living in Chapel Hill rather than a similar city the same size. 

2. Safe Neighborhoods in Chapel Hill

The overall crime rate is low in Chapel Hill. However, some areas are safer than others. Note that the safety levels will vary depending on where you are in the town. Each neighborhood has its pros and cons, and there are more than enough amazing neighborhoods in Chapel Hill. 

If you want to ensure safety, take a look at the safest neighborhoods in Chapel Hill. Keep in mind that housing prices in Chapel Hill are slightly more expensive than the national average; however, they are considered to be more safe as well. 

1. Governors Club

Governors Club in Chapel Hill is one of the most notable and luxurious neighborhoods in the area, as a nationally recognized private club community boasting an award-winning 27-hold Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course and member-owned country club.

As the Triangle's only gated golf community and private club, this neighborhood is undoubtedly one of the most safe in Chapel Hill. The upscale neighborhood is home to newly constructed homes, a quiet community, and many amenities. 

2. Briar Chapel

Voted "Best Neighborhood in Chapel Hill" for eight years in a row, Briar Chapel is full of well-built homes, community trails, events, and more. This tight-knit community is perfect for families and retirees who value a quiet environment. 

At the Briar Clubhouse, residents can enjoy the water park, fitness center, indoor space, outdoor cabana, playground, and event lawn. Briar Chapel is also in a prime location near RTP, UNC, Duke, RDU, and Jordan Lake. 

Briar Chapel homes have a median listing price of about $719,138 and an average price per square foot of $269. They are offering much more affordable homes than other neighborhoods in the area. 

3. Southern Village

Located near the University of North Carolina, Southern Village offers year-round events, restaurants, a coffee shop, a movie theater, and a local market. The adorable Chapel Hill subdivision is the perfect place to call home for homeowners looking for a peaceful and safe place to live. 

The Southern Village neighborhood has a median home price of about $675,000 and an average price per square foot of $308. This is a great neighborhood for families with children, as it feeds into the Chapel Hill/Carborro school districts. Retirees and young professionals would also benefit from the high sense of community, which would make it perfect to meet new people. 

4. Winmore

One of the newest communities in Chapel Hill is the Winmore neighborhood. The newly built homes are located in northwest Chapel Hill near Carrboro. As a community-focused neighborhood, you will find many public green spaces, interconnected streets, and commercial opportunities. 

Each home is uniquely built, with many walking trails, a pool, and excellent schools. Winmore neighborhood has a median listing price of $768,625 and an average price per square foot of $305. 

With approximately 96 single-family homes, Winmore is one of the safest neighborhoods to live in Chapel Hill. Residents can safely walk around the beautiful community. 

3. Stay Safe in Chapel Hill

No matter where you live, it is essential to understand the resources and tools you have access to in order to stay safe. As a college town, police presence is high in Chapel Hill, especially around certain times throughout the year and in certain areas. 

Ideally, you are never walking alone and are always aware of your surroundings, but on the chance this isn't the case, make sure to follow these simple steps to stay safe in Chapel Hill.

4. Be Aware of Your Surroundings 

No matter where you are or who you are with, you should always be aware of what is going on around you. The element of surprise is one of the most effective tools a criminal has, but you can take that away. Awareness of your surroundings is more than just looking around; make sure to stay away from dark roads, walk alone in shadowed areas, and cross a busy intersection before looking. 

Luckily, Chapel Hill prioritizes safety and has increased lighting for walkways, parking lots, and more popular areas. 

5. Avoid Walking Alone at Night

If, for any reason, you can't avoid walking through town by yourself at night, consider taking advantage of one of Chapel Hill's late-night transit options. On campus, the school offers the UNC Point-to-Point (P2P) which is a fare-free, on-demand, and fixed-route transit service. This can be tracked with the TransLoc Rider app or the TransLoc website. 

The town of Chapel Hill offers the E.Z. Rider Service, which is a demand-response, shared-ride service. Check the hours before relying on the E.Z. transit service. Also, take advantage of the My Chapel Hill Transit for a safe and reliable ride around town. 

6. Prioritize Home Safety

Home safety should be one of your top priorities, no matter who you live with or where you live. Luckily, Chapel Hill has many apartment complexes that are relatively safer than stand-alone homes. 

Nevertheless, ensure you always lock your doors and keep your keys in your hand before you reach to unlock the door. In addition, if you see anything out of place, always trust your instincts because it is much better to be safe than sorry. 

If you do live in an apartment complex or residence hall, don't hold the door for anyone you don't know. The outside doors should remain locked at all times to ensure the safety of the residents in the building. 

7. Utilize Your Resources

UNC-Chapel Hill campus covers nearly 730 acres of city space, and the campus is integrated into the city. In order to keep students and city citizens safe, UNC Police have Blue Call Boxes around campus. The boxes are part of a large telephone system that gives the University Police your exact location in case of an emergency or to report a crime. 

There are over 100 police officers in Chapel Hill to keep citizens safe. Police presence increases during large events to aid traffic, crowd, control, and more. If you feel unsafe in any way, don't hesitate to call 911. 

Methodology

We used information and data from several different sources as well as our own data to determine how safe it is to live in Chapel Hill. Most of the data was sourced from the following sources:

• United States Census Bureau 
• FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program
• UNC Police

FAQ: Is Chapel Hill, NC, Safe?

Here are some commonly asked questions about how safe it is to live in Chapel Hill, NC.

Is Chapel Hill, NC, a good place to live?

Chapel Hill, NC, is one of the best places to live in N.C., and it offers small-town living with a city feel. It is home to one of the best universities in the state, many delicious restaurants, job opportunities, fun nightlife, and more. 

Is Chapel Hill a wealthy area?

According to the U.S. Census, the 2022 median household income in Chapel Hill was $85,940. This is over $10,000 higher than the national median household income which is $74,580. 

Why is UNC-Chapel Hill so popular?

Chapel Hill was the first public university in the country in 1795. Now, it is known for its excellent undergraduate and graduate programs. UNC-Chapel Hill is also widely known for its sports team and sense of school pride. 

What city in N.C. has the least crime?

Rolesville is known as the safest city in North Carolina, with a population of about 10,050 people and a crime rate that is 83% lower than the state average. 

Is NC or S.C. safer to live in?

Generally, NC is known to be safer to live in than S.C. According to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program, NC has a lower violent crime rate and lower property crime rate than S.C. 

What are the pros and cons of living in Chapel Hill?

The pros and cons of living in Chapel Hill, NC, are as follows?

Pros

• Abundant things to do
• Highly-rated restaurants 
• Strong economy
• Plenty of job opportunities
• Excellent education
• Strong Housing Market
• Family-oriented way of life

Cons

• High housing prices
• High humidity
• Large amounts of pollen in the springtime

Chapel Hill, NC Safety - The Bottom Line

Overall, Chapel Hill, NC, is safe and is a great place to move to in North Carolina. The city makes extensive efforts to ensure the safety of all its residents; it can't be a surprise that so many people love living in Chapel Hill.

You can spend that extra time you would've spent worrying about safety and use it to go catch a UNC basketball game, stroll down the famous Franklin Street, or just explore the beautiful town. 

As you are searching for your next home, Raleigh, NC, is one of the fastest-growing areas in the country and has many beautiful homes for sale; you'll have to act fast if you want to buy your dream home in one of Raleigh's best neighborhoods. 

Before you buy your next home in the Triangle, feel free to contact one of our helpful real estate specialists, as they are eager to help you find the perfect home. We know that buying a home can be overwhelming, so make sure you are prepared beforehand.