When moving to a new area, one of the first things people want to know about is the crime in the area. In this post, we’ll look at some of the main questions people ask about crime and safety when considering a move to Asheville, NC.
Is Asheville, NC Safe?
As a general rule, the Asheville area is a very safe place to live. Asheville is the largest city in Western North Carolina, and the population of Asheville is still only 91,560 (as of 2019). So Asheville still has a small town feel with fewer of the crime problems that can plague bigger cities.
Much of the crime in the Asheville area is petty, non-violent, or drug related. When there is violent crime here, it is typically shocking and becomes the major news story for several days.
What are the Safest Neighborhoods in Asheville?
One of the biggest draws in Asheville is its downtown district. Downtown Asheville is a safe place to visit, and residents and tourists alike frequent the many restaurants, pubs, and shops that downtown has to offer.
The areas surrounding downtown, such as the South Slope, West Asheville, and the River Arts District have seen a boom in both residential and commercial construction and renovation over the last few years. The South Slope, for example, at one time had a lot of dilapidated warehouses, while now it’s a haven for some of Asheville’s most popular breweries, restaurants, condos, and office space.
West Asheville has long been known for its hip vibe, with residents enjoying the walkable Haywood Road commercial district. As West Asheville has grown in popularity, many older or dilapidated homes have been restored or torn down to make room for new homes.
The River Arts District has become a mecca for artists, and several popular breweries and restaurants have opened there in renovated industrial buildings.
Gated Communities
A lot of prospective Asheville real estate buyers, especially those from larger cities, tell us they are specifically interested in living in a gated community near Asheville. Upon further consideration, it’s not unusual for them to decide that they don’t really need a gated community for security reasons.
However, for second home owners, a gated community can provide a sense of security when the owners are not here for an extended period of time.
Here are a few gated communities that are worth considering for year-round or seasonal residency.
It’s worth noting that a lot of the crime in the Asheville area consists of petty break-ins, such as when cars are left unlocked and people walking by help themselves to whatever may be inside. For this reason, be sure to lock your cars at night, or consider homes with garages or homes that are not situated right on a main street.
There are also a lot of safe neighborhoods in and around Asheville that are not gated. And they’re not limited to just one part of town. Let’s take a look at some great non-gated neighborhoods in Asheville, as well as some of the safest small towns in the area.
Neighborhoods with On-Site Amenities
Some of the most desirable (and safest) neighborhoods in the Asheville area are the ones with lots of amenities in the neighborhood. These subdivisions instantly create a sense of community, because neighbors and families can build relationships with each other while enjoying playgrounds, tennis courts, hiking trails, and other neighborhood amenities. And of course, these neighbors look out for each other’s homes, especially when a homeowner is out of town.
Asheville offers a lot of neighborhoods with loads of on-site amenities. Here are a few of our favorites.
Safe Small Towns around Asheville
Outside of Asheville are numerous small towns, and many have that Mayberry small town feel. These towns are all inherently safe, providing great options for people wanting a quiet yet socially active lifestyle. Many people move to the Asheville area to live in one of these small towns where they can walk to their favorite coffee shop or restaurant, take their dog everywhere they go, and meet new neighbors in town.
You can find multiple lists online of the “Safest Towns in North Carolina,” and you’ll usually find several towns in Western North Carolina that make the list. For example, this study of the 50 Safest Cities in North Carolina included Hendersonville, Waynesville, Brevard, Woodfin, Fletcher, and Black Mountain. And this list of The 10 Safest And Most Peaceful Places To Live In North Carolina listed Black Mountain as the state’s 9th safest town. So there are numerous options for safe, quiet, small-town living in the areas around Asheville.
Asheville Crime Maps and Crime Reports
When researching Asheville’s neighborhoods, real estate buyers can review the crime reports and crime maps put out by local law enforcement agencies. Here are some references to research crime in and around Asheville, NC.
Asheville Police Reports
The Asheville Police Department provides data about recent arrests, crime events, and even maintains its own crime map on its “Asheville PD Police to Citizen” website.
Buncombe County Sheriff Reports
The Buncombe County Sheriff’s office has jurisdiction throughout Buncombe County. However, residents of townships and municipalities (such as Black Mountain, Biltmore Forest, Montreat, Weaverville, and Woodfin) receive their primary law enforcement services from their municipal police department.
The Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office maintains a crime database that’s very similar to the one provided by the Asheville Police Dept. The website is called “Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office Police to Citizen.”
Sex Offender Search
The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation maintains a statewide sex offender registry. There is also a national sex offender database provided by the U.S. Department of Justice. Both are available free to the public.
Moving to Asheville
If you’re curious to learn more about the towns and neighborhoods in the Asheville area, we’d love to help! There are a lot of factors to consider, such as Asheville’s school ratings, proximity to Asheville’s parks and playgrounds, and access to amenities and things to do. Give us a call, and let’s discuss what features you’re looking for in a community.
FAQs
Downtown had by far the most robberies with 23. Neighborhoods experiencing the second highest number of robberies were Deaverview and East West Asheville with six each. There were five each in Hillcrest, the Aston Park Tower area, Oakley, Shiloh and the Acton and Old Haywood Road area in the far west.
Is crime bad in Asheville NC? ›
Asheville, North Carolina is a safe area. According to statistics, Asheville's violent crime rate is higher than the national average. Many factors play into these violent offenses, however. Overall, Asheville is a safe destination to visit.
Is crime increasing in Asheville NC? ›
Aggravated assaults rose by 21.8%, and armed robberies increased by 20% from 2021 to 2022, according to APD statistics.
Is Asheville a good place for seniors? ›
Asheville, North Carolina has been on the best places to live list as well as best places to retire in the United States. Asheville has good weather, rich culture, education offerings, and ample opportunities to stay physically active. Here are a few reasons why we love Asheville & think it's the #1 place to Retire!
Does Asheville have a homeless problem? ›
Who's homeless in Asheville? In the 2023 Point-in-Time Count, which is an annual census of people experiencing homelessness, we identified 573 people without housing.
What are the issues in Asheville NC? ›
Downtown Asheville, like many cities in America, has long contended with homelessness, panhandling, drugs and common crimes like shoplifting.
What are the social issues in Asheville? ›
Low wages, corporate landlords, lack of rent control, high prices, brutal traffic, the fake homeless, street crime and white collar crime have all combined to make Asheville an increasingly undesirable place in which to call home.
What are the pros and cons of living in Asheville NC? ›
Pros & Cons of Living in Asheville
- Pros of Living in Asheville. #1. Access to Nature. #2. Mild Weather Year-Round. #3. The Lively Music Scene. #5. ...
- Cons of Moving to Asheville, NC. #1. The High Cost of Housing. #2. Small City Salaries. #3. The Airport Leaves Much to Be Desired. #4. ...
- Moving to Asheville (Post Summary)
Popular Asheville Area Retirement Communities. French Broad Crossing – Located just 25 miles from downtown Asheville, French Broad Crossing is the area's only private riverfront mountain community.
Is Asheville too expensive to live? ›
The cost of living in Asheville, NC is 5% higher than the state average and 0% than the national average. Asheville, NC housing is 3% more expensive than the U.S average, while utilities are about 9% pricier.
6 Best Neighborhoods In Asheville, NC
- Montford. Montford, one of the best neighborhoods in Asheville, is home to Free Little Libraries, Nine Mile restaurant, Riverside Cemetery, Shakespeare in the Park, and stunning architecture. ...
- North Asheville. ...
- River Arts District (RAD) ...
- West Asheville. ...
- Downtown Asheville. ...
- South Asheville.
Table
| Population | |
|---|
| White alone, percent | 81.4% |
| Black or African American alone, percent(a) | 10.9% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, percent(a) | 0.4% |
| Asian alone, percent(a) | 1.3% |
54 more rowsAsheville is not coastal, so hurricanes pose little threat. The area does experience rain from coastal storms which can cause flooding. Because winters are so mild in Asheville, you will likely never be snowed in or experience power outages from snow and ice storms.
Is Asheville NC Republican? ›
It still leans Republican, but much less so than the previous iteration, as it once again includes all of Asheville. On February 23, 2022, the North Carolina Supreme Court approved a new map which removed Avery and Mitchell Counties from the district.
Is North Carolina tax friendly to retirees? ›
One of the benefits of retiring in North Carolina is that the state offers tax breaks for seniors. If you're over 65, you can exempt up to $35,000 of your retirement income from state taxes. In addition, Social Security income is not taxed, and income taxes have been lowered to a flat rate, to 4.9% in 2022.
What salary do you need to live in Asheville? ›
Typical Expenses
| 1 ADULT | 2 ADULTS (1 WORKING) |
|---|
| 0 Children | 2 Children |
|---|
| Required annual income after taxes | $34,545 | $72,542 |
| Annual taxes | $6,260 | $13,380 |
| Required annual income before taxes | $40,805 | $85,923 |
7 more rows#1: East Flat Rock
With a median home sale price of $305,000, East Flat Rock comes in at number one on our list of most affordable suburbs of Asheville, NC.
Why is there so many homeless people in Asheville NC? ›
A recent report from the National Alliance to End Homelessness noted that homelessness is exacerbated by the city's staggering affordable housing crisis, compounded by the impacts of the pandemic. Asheville is more expensive than 98% of other North Carolina cities and is home to the highest rents in the state.
Is Asheville safe to live? ›
With a crime rate of 61 per one thousand residents, Asheville has one of the highest crime rates in America compared to all communities of all sizes - from the smallest towns to the very largest cities. One's chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime here is one in 16.
Where do the homeless hang out in Asheville? ›
Haywood Street sees a lot of homeless people, as the library, with public restrooms, is on one end, and Pritchard Park, a popular hangout, is on the other.
Asheville is a great town with great people and a great environment. With many things to do like hiking, exploring nature, eating out, or simply having fun, Asheville has it all. The diversity of Asheville is extremely welcoming. People from all over the world come to visit Asheville, and with great reason!
Why are people protesting in Asheville? ›
Party for Socialism and Liberation - Asheville and about 20 demonstrators gathered at Pack Square, calling for "justice for Tyre Nichols and an end to racist police terror!"
Is the Asheville housing market slowing down? ›
Asheville Housing Market Trends
In May 2023, Asheville home prices were down 2.1% compared to last year, selling for a median price of $480K. On average, homes in Asheville sell after 41 days on the market compared to 38 days last year. There were 138 homes sold in May this year, down from 163 last year.
Why retire in Asheville NC? ›
Temperate Climate
Surprising to most, this city nestled in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains has a temperate climate. Located at an elevation of just above 2,000 feet, Asheville is the perfect place to retire if you're looking to escape winter blizzards and scorching hot summers.
What disease did people go to Asheville to find relief from? ›
Asheville's growth began with 19th century TB treatment.
What is the main industry in Asheville NC? ›
Advanced Manufacturing:
Everything from aerospace manufacturing to heating and air appliances are all produced in and around Asheville. Some of the biggest names in the game are GE Aviation Asheville, BorgWarner, The Eaton Corporation, and new to the Asheville area, the Pratt and Whitney plant.
Is it always rainy in Asheville? ›
That being said, there is still plenty of rainfall year round in Asheville to provide the yards with beautiful, lush lawns all year long.
What are winters like in Asheville NC? ›
Winter: Asheville is protected by the surrounding mountains, so we seldom have a major snowfall in the city. Highs usually run in the 40s and 50s. January, February, and March are great months to visit since these are the slowest months for visitors coming to our area.
Does Asheville NC have good air quality? ›
Today's Air Quality-Asheville, NC
Air quality is considered satisfactory, and air pollution poses little or no risk.
What area is best to stay in Asheville? ›
Without a doubt, the best area to stay in Asheville is Downtown, which is just 20 minutes from the airport. Downtown is home to everything you may need in order to enjoy a large city. You will find many of Asheville's main attractions here, such as the Basilica of St.
White: 82.64% Black or African American: 11.11%
What is the best street in downtown Asheville? ›
Biltmore Avenue
This is Asheville's “Main Street” in its very walkable downtown area.
What is the main shopping street in downtown Asheville? ›
Lexington Avenue offers an eclectic shopping experience in Asheville, with over 200 locally-owned shops, bars and restaurants. This urban thoroughfare is very walkable thanks to trees along its wide brick sidewalks.
Can you walk with beer in Asheville? ›
New law allows drinking in 'social districts,' eases alcohol restrictions in NC. ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — North Carolina counties and cities are now allowed to create their own "social districts," where you can walk around and consume alcoholic drinks in designated outdoor areas.
Where is the safest place to retire in North Carolina? ›
And better yet, Winterville is another Certified Retirement Community. Niche.com named Winterville one of the best places to live in North Carolina and awarded it an overall A grade. The city is listed as one of North Carolina's safest cities by SafeWise, and according to Realtor.com, the median home price is $315,000.
What is the homeless population in Asheville NC? ›
Asheville released new data from its Annual Point in Time Count, showing a slight decline in homelessness. In 2022, 405 people slept in shelters, while 232 didn't have a place to sleep. This year, those numbers declined, with 402 sleeping in shelters while 171 didn't have a place to go.
What is the best state to live in for senior citizens? ›
Maine topped The Motley Fool's list of best U.S. states to retire, with high marks for quality of life, safety, and health care cost and quality. The state has the highest percentage of residents over age 65, so retirees can find like-minded neighbors who enjoy the outdoors, natural beauty, and reliable health care.
