Is Holly Springs, NC, a Safe Place to Live? 

Is Holly Springs, NC, a safe place to live? Here is what you need to know about Holly Springs crime statistics, the safe neighborhoods in Holly Springs, and how to best stay safe in Holly Springs. 

Holly Springs is a town in Wake County and a popular place to call home in the Triangle area just outside Raleigh. Best known for its small-town living, family-friendly community, and Southern charm, Holly Springs is home to a growing population of families and young professionals. 

Considered to be one of the best suburbs of Raleigh, Holly Springs is a great place to live for its location, beautiful homes for sale, top-rated public schools, employment opportunities, parks, entertainment options, and, of course, its low crime rate. 

Holly Springs is not only one of the safest towns in North Carolina but is also considered one of the best and safest places to live in the nation. If you are searching for a great place to live with a safety rating to match, you should consider moving to Holly Springs. 

Here is what makes Holly Springs safe 

1. Crime Statistics in Holly Springs 

If safety is a top priority for you and your family, then Holly Springs is an excellent option for those relocating to a new city or moving cross country. Much like Fuquay-Varina is a safe place to live, Holly Springs was rated as the number two safest town in North Carolina as of 2023 since it has both low violent and property crime rates. 

Though the town is small, Holly Springs has a strong police presence, contributing to its high safety rating. The Holly Springs Police Department has a total of 96 full-time employees who are proud to serve and protect its citizens from crime. 

The number of calls for service increased at a lower rate than the town's population, which is a great sign and further indicates that Holly Springs is a safe and friendly community with low crime levels. 

As of 2023, here are the property crime rates per 1,000 residents in the Town of Holly Springs: 

Type of Property Crime	Number of Incidents Per 1,000 Residents in 2023
Burglary	0.82
Motor Vehicle Theft	0.16
Larceny	6.62
Arson	0

While there was a slight increase in burglaries and thefts from years prior, most instances occurred at retail and commercial establishments. The number of motor vehicle theft instances dropped from previous years, and the number of instances of arson stayed the same as in 2022 at zero.

As of 2023, here are the violent crime rates per 1,000 residents in the Town of Holly Springs: 

Type of Violent Crime	Number of Incidents Per 1,000 Residents in 2023
Murder	0
Robbery	0.04
Rape	0.10
Aggravated Assault	0.48

Though there was a significant jump in aggravated assaults from the previous year and a spike in rape cases where the suspect was known to the victim, robberies decreased by half of the prior year, and there were zero murders. 

There were 60 arrests made in 2023, 60.7% of which were not residents of Holly Springs, and 39.3% were residents. Only 4% of arrests required the use of force, while 96% of arrests made were without incident. 

*Sourced from the Holly Springs Police Department 2023 Annual Report.

2. Safe Neighborhoods in Holly Springs 

Raleigh is a safe place to live, as are many of its surrounding towns and cities, making it a sought-after place to call home. Compared to other cities of similar size, Holly Springs is a very safe place to be.

Most residents feel safe at all times and feel confident walking around town independently without any significant safety concerns. Home to many safe and great neighborhoods in Holly Springs that feature single-family homes, townhomes, and new construction, there are many great places to live to fit all lifestyles and budgets.  

Here are five of the best and safest neighborhoods in Holly Springs that everyone living in the area should consider moving to. 

Sunset Ridge 

Sunset Ridge in Holly Springs is a popular neighborhood that features many large homes that are all reasonably priced. Established in 1995, the community has continued to develop over the years. It is home to The Club at Sunset, which encompasses Sunset Ridge, Sunset Ridge North, Sunset Oaks, and Sunset Bluffs. 

The Club at Sunset features the award-winning Devil's Ridge Golf Course, one of the best golf courses near Raleigh, with six fully lighted tennis courts and four competition-sized pools. All residents of Sunset Ridge are welcome to join the club to use these facilities. 

As part of the Wake County Public School System, Sunset Ridge is located near some great schools, including Holly Ridge Elementary School, Holly Ridge Middle School, and Holly Springs High School. 

Wescott

Dating back to 2002, with construction completed in 2006, the community of Wescott features primarily large single-family homes with between four to five bedrooms and three to five bathrooms. 

Wescott offers a family-friendly environment with large wooded lots in a great location. A popular shopping area with a grocery store, a gas station, and delicious restaurants is within walking distance. 

As a safe place to live in Holly Springs, Wescott is well-maintained and has an average homeowner age of 46. Middle Creek Elementary School, West Lake Middle School, and Middle Creek High School are nearby for those moving with school-aged children. 

12 Oaks 

As one of the best neighborhoods in Holly Springs, 12 Oaks is a fast-growing master-planned golf community. Comprised of 687 acres with beautiful tree-lined streets, the 12 Oaks neighborhood is perfect for families and is very welcoming and dog-friendly. 

Featuring many beautiful new homes, all residents can join The Club at 12 Oaks, which features an award-winning golf course, tennis courts, a pool pavilion, and fun social events throughout the year. 

Considered a safe place to live in Holly Springs, the community of 12 Oaks has a median list price of $843,972, with an average price per square foot of $255. 

Sunset Lake Village 

Sunset Lake Village in Wake County offers premier lakefront living since it is on Sunset Lake. Featuring large, expansive single-family homes that are all competitively priced, Sunset Lake Village offers secluded and safe living in Holly Springs. 

Sunset Lake is only accessible to residents, which is one of the many benefits of living here. This community dates back to 1999 and has continued to develop over the years into one of the best neighborhoods in Holly Springs. 

Holly Glen 

Holly Glen is a well-maintained and peaceful neighborhood in Holly Springs that is safe and family-oriented. Providing the ultimate comfortable living experience outside of Raleigh, Holly Glen is secure and offers a strong sense of community. 

With an average age of 47, most residents are families, 97% of whom own their homes. Many of the homes in Holly Glen range in size and have between three to five bedrooms and two to five bathrooms. 

The homes for sale in Holly Glen have a median list price of $541,980 and an average price per square foot of $199. 

3. How To Stay Safe in Holly Springs 

Even though Holly Springs offers an unmatched quality of life and great small-town living, it is always important to practice personal safety no matter where you live.

Whether you are moving to Holly Springs alone or with your family, it is always important to be aware of your surroundings and take extra precautions when necessary to avoid having to call the Holly Springs Police Department. 

To stay safe at home and around the town of Holly Springs, follow these top safety tips in everyday life. 

Lock Your Doors 

Most of the time, home invasions occur when a homeowner opens the door for a stranger. To avoid this, always lock all windows and doors and do not open the door for a stranger unless you verify who they are first. 

All windows and doors should stay locked at all times, even if you are at home. One of the most popular smart home trends is smart locks, which allow residents to go key-free and control their doors remotely. 

Trust Your Instincts 

Please be sure to stay alert and pay attention to what's around you. Being aware is one of your best defenses against danger, and if something does not feel right, you need to trust your instincts and remove yourself from the possibly dangerous situation as soon as possible.

Even if you may be overreacting, it is always best to be safe than sorry. 

Keep Your Valuables Hidden 

When leaving the house, keeping your valuables hidden is always a good idea to avoid becoming a target of potential burglars. Please don't advertise any expensive jewelry or technology you own. 

Never keep your valuables in one place, and ensure that your purse or bag is closed when walking in crowded areas. If you become a victim of theft, do not fight for your valuables. Items can always be replaced, but your life can not. 

Stick To Public Areas 

Even if you live in a safe area, it is essential to avoid walking alone and to always stick to well-lit public areas. When walking around town, avoid shortcuts that are out of the way in case of an emergency or dangerous situation. 

If you are walking home and feel like you are being followed, it is essential to never lead them to where you live. Instead, you can go to a public area, walk to your nearest police station, quickly alert your friends and family, and call 911 whenever you get a chance. 

Let Someone Know Where You Are Going 

Never leave the house without telling someone where you are going. At least one person should always be aware of your whereabouts in case of an emergency or if a dangerous situation arises. 

This can be a family member or a friend; they should know where you are going and how long it will take. 

Methodology 

We used data and information from several sources to determine if Holly Springs is a safe place to live in North Carolina. Most of the data used came from the following sources: 

• The Holly Springs Police Department 
• The Town of Holly Springs 
• Payscale 

FAQs 

What is it like to live in Holly Springs, NC? 

Not only is Holly Springs safe, but it is one of the best places to live in North Carolina since it is home to top-rated schools, great employment opportunities, beautiful homes for sale, and sought-after neighborhoods.  

What is the cost of living in Holly Springs, NC? 

The cost of living in Holly Springs is 2% higher than the national average, making it a relatively affordable place to live in the area with a range of affordable housing options. 

Is Holly Springs a suburb of Raleigh? 

Holly Springs is one of the best suburbs in Raleigh and is considered a great place to raise a family. It has plenty of kid-friendly things to do, and it is just 20 miles from Downtown Raleigh. 

Is Holly Springs, NC Safe - Final Thoughts 

Holly Springs is one of the best places to live in North Carolina and is considered a very safe place to call home. High safety is one of the pros of living in the Raleigh area, which is why Holly Springs is growing into such a popular town for all ages. 

If you are moving to Raleigh and are considering calling Holly Springs home, contact the experts at Raleigh Realty. We are here to help and are prepared to answer any questions.