Asheville police chief: Aggravated assaults drive violent crime increase in recent years (2024)

FAQs

Asheville police chief: Aggravated assaults drive violent crime increase in recent years? ›

"Aggravated assault is really what's driving the increase in violent crime in the city of Asheville." In 2021, Asheville saw 430 aggravated assaults, compared to 410 the year prior and 295 just five years earlier.

According to the latest data from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the crime rate in Asheville, NC is 4,619 per 100,000 people. This is higher than the national average of 3,965 per 100,000 people. The crime rate in Asheville has been increasing in recent years.

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.

Twice in the past five years, violent crime has exceeded this average by more than 10 crimes (2019 and 2021). "Downtown continues to experience one of the highest concentrations of violent crime in the city," Booth said. "10% of the city's violent crime occurs within an area that covers less than 0.5 square miles."

The numbers showed declines from a record-high of violent crimes ― homicide, aggravated assault, rape and robbery ― of 727 in 2022, the highest in a period starting in 2018. Last year there were 596 such violent incidents in city limits, the lowest of that six-year timeframe.

Asheville currently ranks in the top 10% in violent crime per capita among all American cities.

Highlights: Most Dangerous Cities In North Carolina Statistics. As of 2021, Lumberton is the most dangerous city in North Carolina with a violent crime rate of 16.54 per 1,000 residents.

A study by 24/7 Wall St., an independent financial news and opinion website that publishes daily articles on a range of topics, reported Asheville was in the top 10% of most violent cities in the U.S. after reviewing FBI crime data for 4,548 cities with more than 5,000 people in 2019.

Despite this step in the right direction, Asheville currently sits in the top 10 percent in violent crime per capita among all major American cities. Its crime rate is above the national average.

Is downtown Asheville safe at night? ›

Like most urban areas, you just have to have common sense. Stuff like walking on main, well-lit streets instead of side ones at night. Otherwise its as safe as any decent-sized city. Downtown Asheville is a safe city.

West Asheville

Today, it's home to local indie shops and businesses. Locals love this neighborhood, in part because it's so close to downtown, but also for its mix of bookstores, dive bars, vintage shops, music venues, hip restaurants, and breweries.

Downtown Asheville, like many cities in America, has long contended with homelessness, panhandling, drugs and common crimes like shoplifting.

Skip to 1. Natural Beauty and Outdoor Recreation. Nestled in the picturesque Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, Asheville has become an increasingly popular destination for those seeking a change of scenery and a new place to call home.

If you are planning a trip to Asheville, you may be thinking about staying in or near this area. It's a pretty good location within town– safe, just a few miles from downtown, near shopping and dining and just at the entrance of the Biltmore Estate.