If you’ve spent any time on local Facebook groups lately, you’ve probably seen the comments. People are convinced that Wilmington is either a paradise on the coast or a lawless frontier where you can’t leave your bike out for five minutes.
The truth? It’s complicated.
Honestly, looking at crime statistics Wilmington NC is a bit of a roller coaster. You see one headline saying violent crime is down, and the next day you hear about a string of car break-ins downtown. To understand what’s actually happening in the Port City as we move through 2026, we have to look past the surface-level numbers and see where the real shifts are happening.
The Reality of Violent Crime in the Port City
Let’s talk about the big stuff first.
Violent crime in Wilmington has actually been on a significant downward trend over the last few years, even if it doesn’t always feel that way. According to reports from the Wilmington Police Department (WPD) presented by Chief Donny Williams, gun-related violence has seen a massive drop—down nearly 45% since 2020. That’s not a small number.
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However, the nature of violence here is changing. While random street crime is down, domestic violence is up. WPD data shows that domestic-related crimes have increased by about 34% since 2019. This means that while you’re statistically safer walking down Front Street than you were five years ago, there is a serious, growing crisis happening behind closed doors.
- Homicides: These dropped from 13 in 2023 to 11 in 2024.
- Aggravated Assaults: Rose slightly, often tied to existing relationships.
- Robberies: These took a massive dive, decreasing by over 30 incidents in a single year.
It's kinda wild how the narrative changes when you realize that most violent incidents aren't random. They are concentrated in specific areas and often involve people who already know each other.
Why Property Crime Is Still a Headache
Property crime is where things get annoying. Really annoying.
In 2024 and 2025, property crime in Wilmington rose by about 2%. That sounds small, but it’s part of a larger trend of larceny and motor vehicle thefts that just won't quit. Here is the kicker: over 90% of the vehicles broken into in Wilmington were left unlocked.
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Basically, we are making it too easy.
Retail theft is another huge driver. If you've noticed more cameras at the self-checkout in the Harris Teeter or Target, that's why. The WPD has noted that "organized retail theft" and the ease of self-checkout are making it harder to keep larceny numbers down. Arrests for these crimes have doubled since 2022, but the volume of incidents keeps the overall crime statistics Wilmington NC looking higher than the national average.
Understanding the "1 in 25" Statistic
You might see websites like NeighborhoodScout claiming your chance of being a victim in Wilmington is 1 in 25. That sounds terrifying, right?
But wait.
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These sites aggregate every single report—from a stolen garden gnome to a major felony—and divide it by the population. It doesn't account for the fact that crime is heavily localized. For instance, the southeast part of the city near the beaches and Masonboro is statistically much safer than the southern corridors or specific public housing communities.
When you compare Wilmington to a place like Charlotte, the crime rate per 1,000 residents is actually higher here (about 48 vs 37). But that’s partly because Wilmington is a regional hub. We have a population of roughly 120,000, but on any given weekend, the "daytime population" swells with tourists and workers from Leland and Hampstead. Those extra people don't count toward the official census, but they do show up in the crime reports.
The Success of the Gun Crimes Unit
One thing the city actually got right was the Dedicated Gun Crimes Unit. Started in 2021, this unit focuses purely on getting illegal firearms off the street. They recovered over 560 guns last year alone. Chief Williams has pointed to this unit as the primary reason why "crimes of opportunity" involving firearms have plummeted.
Where Do We Go From Here?
It's easy to get caught up in the "Wilmington is dangerous" hype, but the data suggests a city that is grappling with growing pains rather than a crime wave. As the population explodes, the police are shifting toward data-driven policing and community outreach.
If you are a resident or moving here, there are actual, practical things you can do that have a bigger impact than you’d think.
- Lock your car. Seriously. This sounds like "Captain Obvious" advice, but the stats prove that most property crime here is purely "opportunity" based.
- Use the WPD "Text-A-Tip" program. The department relies heavily on community intel for solving domestic and gang-related incidents.
- Check the 2026 neighborhood maps. If you're house hunting, look at the WPD's internal crime maps rather than national aggregate sites. The nuance of a single block can change everything.
- Invest in basic lighting. Simple motion-sensor lights have been cited by local law enforcement as one of the best deterrents for the "unlocked car" larcenies that plague the Midtown area.
The reality of crime statistics Wilmington NC isn't found in a single percentage point. It’s found in the fact that while the city is getting safer in terms of major violent crime, it’s becoming more susceptible to "quality of life" crimes like theft. Stay aware, lock your doors, and don't let a scary-looking aggregate number keep you from enjoying the Riverwalk.