10 Safest Towns In North Carolina For Senior Living
North Carolina may not be the first state that comes to mind when thinking of the best places to retire, but the state offers a wild variety of natural beauty that is unparalleled by most parts of the country. Not only is the physical beauty unmatched, but the state has countless towns that offer safety, world-class healthcare, and lower living costs than some of its southern neighbors. While cities like Charlotte and Raleigh are more well-known, these 10 towns offer a mix of safety and entertainment to go along with a quieter way of life.
New Bern
Few towns in North Carolina can match this eastern riverfront city in terms of balancing safety and beauty. As of the 2020 census, this town near the North Carolina coast is home to 32,226 people. For safety, New Bern is below the national average for motor theft and below the national average for robbery.
The area isn't short for entertainment options either, as it boasts four sites on the national register for historic places and it's the birthplace of Pepsi, the New Bern Firemen's Museum, and the Tryon Palace Complex, which has historic homes and gardens to tour. It's been named one of the "Top 10 coastal towns to retire" with a measure of excellent golf courses, walking trails, and the CarolinaEast Health System for all your health needs.
Windsor
This next town may not have the hustle and bustle of a New Bern, but it has a low cost of living and outstandingly low crime percentages, with still plenty of activities for retirees. Windsor is located in eastern North Carolina, and it has a population of 3,582 as of the 2020 census. This small town offers a median home value of $111,400 with drastically lower crime percentages of assault, burglary, and theft compared to the national average.
If you love art, check out the Artisan's Alley to explore the outdoor gallery walls, get exercise with a walk through the Cashie Wetlands, where you can visit the Livermon Park and Mini Zoo. Take advantage of the beautiful water features around the area with a ride on the San Souci Ferry across the Cashie River. For a small town, there are a couple of retirement communities, the Cashie Apartments and Windsor Village Apartments, that provide living arrangements for 55+ in the area.
Brevard
The next stop on this list is in the southwest corner of the state. Brevard is a town lying outside the Pisgah National Forest and is well known for its outdoor activities and lifestyle. They call Brevard "The Land of Waterfalls", so you can spend your retirement days chasing 250 waterfalls throughout the 100,000 acres nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains. If you don't want to walk, get some added horsepower by taking part in horseback riding that has trails for all skill levels. Perhaps trying the latest craft beer concoction is more your speed; head to Brevard's Social District to sip from one of five different breweries. Lastly, don't forget to take advantage of the bustling North Carolina music scene by enjoying a concert at the Brevard Music Center.
In terms of safety, Brevard boasts low crime rates that are below the national average for assault. For living options, Brevard has a first-class community, College Walk Retirement, which is a premier living destination for seniors that has a picturesque campus in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Rockwell
Sitting northeast of Charlotte, in central North Carolina, a town of just over 2,300 residents is one of the safest towns in the Tar Heel state for retirement. Rockwell has a lower cost of living, with the median home value at roughly $345,000. The healthcare options for this small town include primary care in East Rowan or the Rockwell Park Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center.
If you're interested in Rockwell's history, the Historic Rockwell Museum has public records, artifacts, and memorabilia from the town's early years. Take advantage of a unique look at some of the world's most impressive cats at Tiger World, a wildlife preserve for endangered cats from around the world. Finally, appreciate the architecture of the past at the George Matthias Bernhardt house, which is a historic plantation house.
Pinehurst
The next town on the list is a small village of around 19,000 residents in the southern part of North Carolina. Pinehurst may not be a large metropolitan area, but it does have a world-renowned reputation for the famous Pinehurst Golf Resort. Golf isn't the only entertainment, however. The Carolina Philharmonic is one of the best orchestras in the state, or you can enjoy a greater variety of art at the Weymouth Center for the Arts and Humanities with reading series, literary programs, and lectures.
For a village of its size, its healthcare facilities stand out. FirstHealth of the Carolinas is a private, not-for-profit healthcare network serving 15 counties. Moore Regional Hospital is one of the nation's top 100 hospitals, and a cancer center that just opened in 2023. It will also be hard to find many towns or villages in North Carolina that are safer for retirees than the village. It's frequently named the #1 safest city in North Carolina by SafeWise, while also boasting the Pinehurst Fire Department achieving the Accredited Agency Status, one of only 220 in the world.
Davidson
Located just north of Charlotte, on the banks of Lake Norman, sits Davidson, a town with around 15,200 residents. Because it's a suburb of the Charlotte metropolitan area, it offers some of the most impressive healthcare facilities in the country nearby. In town, you'll find Atrium Health Primary Care Davidson Clinic, Davidson Family Medicine, or the Atrium Mental Health Clinic.
It has a well-known reputation as being a pedestrian-friendly town, which adds to the safety and ambiance of the area. Its main street gives off old school southern hospitality, while you can also choose the Greenway for a bike ride. After taking in a basketball game at Davidson College, stop by King Canary Brewing at night or Summit Coffee in the morning.
Rolesville
Heading up to the northeast area of the state, Rolesville is a suburb of the capital, Raleigh. As of the 2024 census, it's home to 11,854 residents and is a perfect mix of small-town safety with larger city amenities. Because of its proximity to the state capital, it has healthcare access that few small towns can match. WakeMed, UNC Healthcare, and Duke Health leave no shortage of healthcare options for retirees. When it comes to safety, SafeWise ranked Rolesville as the second safest city in North Carolina for 2025.
Get closer to nature by taking a walk through the Mill Bridge Nature Park, stop by the Little House Museum and Gallery, take part in the Rolesville Parks & Recreation, where they have a seniors ZincHouse Winery & Brewery tour, or join the Rolling in Rolesville senior network to play Bunco.
Waxhaw
Directly south of Charlotte, on the border with South Carolina, you'll find Waxhaw, a town of around 23,000 people. Waxhaw has developed a reputation as a great fine dining center and antique area, providing plenty of options to locals and visitors. Fine-dining bistros and mom-and-pop cafes are found in this small town, so retirees with a passion for food will feel right at home. You can even take part in the extra-long Waxhaw Farmers Market that takes place from April to May every year. The Waxhaw historic district is on the National Register of Historic Places and is a great shopping option.
Almost 10% of the area's population is of retirement age, and safety is a positive factor for Waxhaw. It is below the national average in every major crime statistic concerning both violent and property crimes, making it one of the safest areas in the state.
Elon
Elon is a town of around 11,000 in the northern part of the state, directly east of Greensboro. According to SafeWise's rankings, it is the sixth safest city in North Carolina. While the town revolves around Elon University, it's still a great destination for retirees. You can take a walk through campus and stop at the accredited botanical garden. Also, take advantage of the university's athletic programs by attending sporting events year-round. Speaking of accredited, Elon is an accredited Main Street community, with plenty of visitors each year.
As of the last census, nearly 15% of the town is retirement age, leaving you plenty of locals to meet and explore the area with. Blakey Hall is one of the premier senior living and retirement communities in North Carolina. Locals can utilize nearby Burlington for healthcare at Cone Health Alamance Regional or the Alamance Health Care Rehabilitation Center.
Black Mountain
When most people think about retirement life, sandy beaches come to mind. However, this under-the-radar town will have you thinking about mountain life. Black Mountain is home to 8,426 people as of the 2020 census and is part of the Asheville metro area. Getting the distinction of "America's Prettiest Small Town" by TripAdvisor, this scenic mountain town will leave you with no shortage of breathtaking moments all year round.
Not only does this town leave you with stunning hiking and walking trails through the mountains, but Black Mountain also appeals to the local artists' hopes and dreams, with art and music festivals year-round. Seasonal tourism is a major industry in the area, so bed and breakfasts at local cabins offer a getaway in the very town where you live. Get to know the area's history better by checking out the Swannanoa Valley Museum & History Center.
It is ranked as one of the top 20 safest towns in North Carolina by SafeWise. There are seven different independent living communities in Black Mountain, along with the Swannanoa Valley Medical Center and the Mountain Ridge Wellness Center.
The Tar Heel State is one of a kind in offering quality of life to the retirement community. With beach living on the east or mountain living on the west, North Carolina is a state that not many can match in terms of benefits for retirees. State-of-the-art medical facilities in Rolesville to world-class sporting events in Pinehurst to unforgettable mountain scenery in Black Mountain, North Carolina redefines life as a retiree.
