Crime Trends in Western North Carolina Show a Decade of Change — Not a Steady Climb

By: Staff

The Mountain Buzz

Over the past ten years, crime in Western North Carolina has shifted in ways that defy simple headlines. While some communities have seen notable spikes in violent incidents, others have experienced steady declines, resulting in a complex picture of public safety across the mountains.

According to data from the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation and the FBI’s National Incident-Based Reporting System, there is no consistent, region-wide increase in crime across Western North Carolina since 2015. Instead, local factors, population changes, and economic conditions have produced mixed results county by county.

Asheville and Buncombe County, for example, continue to draw attention for public safety challenges. Local reports show Asheville recorded a record number of homicides in 2024, even as total violent crime fell by about seven percent the previous year. Police officials attribute those fluctuations to the city’s growth, the lingering effects of the pandemic, and changes in enforcement strategy.

In contrast, many rural mountain counties — including Clay, Cherokee, and Graham — have seen smaller overall crime totals but often higher per-capita rates of violent crime. Experts say that limited law enforcement resources, poverty, and substance abuse continue to drive some of these numbers.

Statewide, North Carolina’s official crime summaries indicate that several categories, including property crime, have declined over the past decade. However, rural areas remain more vulnerable to certain offenses like assault, domestic disputes, and theft.

The result is a landscape that varies as much as the mountains themselves. In some towns, residents say they feel safer than ever. In others, concern continues to rise with every headline.

Public safety officials emphasize that long-term solutions will require a combination of community involvement, mental health resources, and strong local policing.

For now, the data suggests that Western North Carolina isn’t simply getting more dangerous — it’s changing. And understanding that change is the first step toward keeping mountain communities safe.