People from more than 350,000 different backgrounds live in Forsyth County, NC, which is known for being lively and vibrant. For its history, culture, and new ideas, the city of Winston-Salem in the county is famous. There are, however, some less safe places in Forsyth County.
Violence and property crimes happen more often in some areas than others. Here are the five Forsyth County neighborhoods with the highest crime rates in 2019, according to figures from 2019.
| Neighborhood | Crime Rate (per year) | Violent Crime Rate (per 100,000 residents) | Property Crime Rate (per 100,000 residents) |
| Downtown Winston-Salem | 1,934 | 712 | 5,417 |
| Waughtown | 1,153 | 462.90 | 3,500 |
| Easton | 1,021 | 462.90 | 3,500 |
| South Fork | 869 | 462.90 | 3,500 |
| Mineral Springs | 685 | 130.90 | 3,228 |
Downtown Winston-Salem
There are lots of cool things to do, see, and eat in downtown Winston-Salem, which is the city’s center area. In addition, there are 1,934 crimes there every year, which is more than any other place in the county.
Nearly seven times as many violent crimes happen in downtown Winston-Salem as people are living there. This is a lot higher than the national average of 22.7 crimes per 100,000 people. Another big difference from the US average of 35.4 is the number of property crimes, which is 5,416.6 per 100,000 people.
Waughtown
Close to the line with Davidson County, Waughtown is a neighborhood in the southeast part of Winston-Salem. A lot of the families there are poor, and the average income is only $28,125. The people who live there are mostly Hispanic. More than 1,153 crimes happen every year in Waughtown, making it the second-most dangerous place in the county.
Violence against people is much more common in Waughtown than it is in the rest of the country, where the rate is only 22.7 per 100,000 people. Another big difference from the U.S. average of 35.4 is that the property crime rate is 3,499.5 per 100,000 people.
Easton
Near the border with Guilford County, Easton is an area in the northeast of Winston-Salem. The average family income here is $25,833, and most of the people here are African-American and barely make ends meet. It is the third most dangerous place in the county for crime, with 1,021 crimes happening every year.
Violent crime is much more common in Easton than it is in the rest of the country, with 462.9 violent crimes per 100,000 people. A rate of 3,499.5 per 100,000 people, which is higher than the U.S. average of 35.4, shows that property crime is also too high.
South Fork
Davidson County is right next to South Fork, which is an area in the southwest part of Winston-Salem. An average family in this neighborhood makes about $29,375 a year and includes people of different races and lower incomes.
There are some problems in South Fork because it has the fourth-highest crime rate in the county, with 869 crimes happening each year.
South Fork has 462.9 violent crimes per 100,000 people, which is higher than the national average of 22.7. This means that the area is less safe than the US average. Over the U.S. average of 35.4 incidents per 100,000 people, the rate of property crime is also high at 3,499.5 incidents per 100,000 residents.
Mineral Springs
In the northern part of Winston-Salem, close to Stokes County, there is an area called Mineral Springs. One average household makes around $30,625 a year, and most of the people who live there are white and have low incomes. There are 685 crimes in Mineral Springs every year, which is the fifth most in the county and makes the town less safe.
About 130.9 violent crimes happen for every 100,000 people that live in Mineral Springs. This is less than the national average of 22.7 violent crimes per 100,000 people. Property crime, on the other hand, is higher than the national average of 35.4 per 100,000 people, at 3,227.7 per 100,000!
Read More: Discover the 5 Most Dangerous Neighborhoods in Coos County, New Hampshire!
How Does Forsyth County Compare to Other Counties in North Carolina?
More people are hurt in Forsyth County than in most of North Carolina, but not as many as in the whole country. Neither physical nor property crimes happen as often in Forsyth as they do in nearby counties.
Forsyth County is in the middle of North Carolina’s level of safety and risk, with a violent crime rate about the same as other counties of the same size.
Conclusion
One great place to live, work, and have fun in Forsyth County, NC. There are, however, areas with higher crime rates that you should be aware of. You can choose wisely about where to live, visit, or stay away from in the county by looking at charts and statistics about crime.
While choosing a neighborhood, keep in mind that crime rates aren’t the only thing to think about. Think about the local community, schools, amenities, and general quality of life in each area. In Forsyth County, NC, be safe and have fun!