9 Safest Small Communities To Settle In North Carolina
The nine safest small communities in North Carolina share several common elements, chief among them consistently low violent crime rates that are below both U.S. and state averages. Much of the low crime rate is due to the smaller populations and the residents’ commitment to and engagement with their community in each town. Strong schools and proximity to well-known, established educational institutions also attract wealthier residents, which, in turn, means fewer rental properties and a lower transient population.
Enjoy a beach day sunning by the water in Oak Island or Wrightsville Beach, explore the small downtown of Davidson, or golf all day in Pinehurst. Whatever the day delivers, take heart knowing that each city on the list is safe and family-friendly.
Davidson
Just 22 miles from Charlotte, the safe college town of Davidson offers a delightful downtown and proximity to Lake Norman. A series of greenways rolls through this part of North Carolina, including Davidson’s 2.8-mile Randall R. Kincaid Trail, a great spot to walk, bike, or gently stroll to observe the trees and wildlife. Speaking of strolling, take time to enjoy downtown's restaurants and shops, including Main Street Books, an independent bookstore that opened in 1987. The shop offers a wide selection of new fiction, nonfiction, children’s books, and more on Main Street.
The Davidson Farmers Market provides local farmers a spot to sell their locally grown produce, as well as grass-fed beef, free-range chicken eggs, North Carolina seafood, and more. Its primary open months are spring through fall, but winter tailgate and holiday markets take place after the season. Any time spent in the town calls for a tour of Davidson College, especially if an engagement is on the vision board. According to campus lore, couples who kiss at the Old Well are destined for marriage.
Rolesville
Rolesville is a top destination for nature and outdoors lovers near Raleigh. Fantasy Lake Adventure Park, just 2.5 miles from Rolesville in Wake Forest, is one of the largest scuba diving parks on the East Coast. The park spans over 100 acres and features a 65-acre lake for scuba diving, an inflatable water park, paddleboarding, kayaking, and more. In addition to water activities, the park has 17 campsites and two campgrounds close to the lake.
Fans of history and dry land will enjoy the Little House Museum & Gallery. The museum was once the home of town founder William Roles, and is known as the John Lewis Terrell House. Private tours of the home are available. Several public parks welcome residents, including Mill Bridge Nature Park, which connects to the Wake Forest greenway system and its hiking and biking trails. The city hosts its Music at Mill Bridge music series every spring at the amphitheater in the park. Several festivals take place throughout the year, too, including the Rolesville Fall FunFest in October.
Holly Springs
Holly Springs has a Sip & Stroll Social District in its downtown, which allows visitors to enjoy alcoholic beverages purchased in town while walking around, shopping, and dining. This town loves to party, with several festivals and family-friendly events throughout the year, including Canine-Con, which showcases the best of dog culture, a Family Spooktacular for Halloween, and the annual HollyFest, a celebration of the community and its residents. Many of the events take place at Sugg Farm at Bass Lake Park, a 117-acre green space overlooking Bass Lake. The park features a community garden, dog park, archery field, and even a field for radio-controlled aircraft. It offers access to greenway trails and has a nature play area, as well.
To escape the crowds, Mims Park offers a walking trail and access to natural springs. The Holly Springs Cultural Center offered an outdoor stage, meeting spaces, and a 184-seat theater for dance, music, and theater performances.
Fuquay-Varina
Originally known for the “healing waters” of the Fuquay Mineral Spring, the town is now more well-known for its hyphenated name and small-city amenities. The Fuquay Mineral Spring Park still has the namesake spring, but it also offers open green space, picnic tables, a brick walking path, and a restored spring house. South Park is a large park with a splash pad, a .7-mile greenway, sports fields, a picnic shelter, playground, and walking track.
Aviator Brewing Company offers more than 30 hand-crafted beers and menus featuring barbecue, pizza, and more. The new brewery features concert venues both indoors and outdoors, along with a speakeasy bar, a private cigar patio, and a German-style beer garden. More restaurants and shops are located on Main Street in downtown, including The Mill, a community gathering space offering coffee, beer, wine, and live music.
Beaufort
Beaufort is the third-oldest town in the state and is full of interesting sights and activities. In 1996, Blackbeard’s Queen Anne’s Revenge ship was discovered here, after running aground in 1718. The ship was added to the National Register of Historic Places and is now a protected underwater archaeological site. The ship is not alone; several homes from Blackbeard’s time are also on the register and are viewable in The Beaufort Historic District.
Beaufort’s position on the water makes for a prime location for coastal research. Don’t miss the wild horses and 200 species of birds at Rachel Carson Reserve, and be sure to keep an eye out for dolphins swimming in the water. For a taste of the sea, reserve a table at the award-winning 34 Degrees North restaurant on the waterfront.
Carrboro
For a full history of the city near Chapel Hill, take a Carrboro Walking Tour, which covers around 1.8 miles of the city. The self-guided tour shows visitors how Carrboro was settled in 1882 around a railroad station on the Durham-Greensboro Southern Railway, and how its population grew when a cotton mill was built in the town. Carrboro features numerous parks, including the Henry Anderson Community Park, a 55-acre space with ball fields, tennis and basketball courts, horseshoe pits, a fishing pond, a dog park, playground equipment, an 18-hole disc golf course, and picnic facilities.
Pick up some picnicking supplies from the Carrboro Farmers' Market, which supports local farmers and artisans who produce their goods within 50 miles of the market. It is nationally recognized for its commitment to local vendors and for being completely farmer-run. Another nationally recognized business in the city is the Cat’s Cradle concert venue, which features national and international touring musical acts.
Pinehurst
Pinehurst is well-known for its golf courses, particularly Donald Ross-designed courses, including Pinehurst No. 2, which has hosted the U.S. Open. It’s also lauded as America’s safest and wealthiest retirement town, according to GoBankingRates. With 40 golf courses within a 15-mile radius, Pinehurst and its surrounding towns in the Sandhills are known as the “Home of American Golf." Not a fan of 18 holes? Try the Pinehurst Disc Golf Course, with its 18 challenging holes.
If horse racing is more your speed, the Pinehurst Harness Track has been home to 10 champion Standardbred horses over its hundred years. To get a nature fix off the track or the green, venture to the Sandhills Horticultural Gardens on the campus of Sandhills Community College. The gardens feature a variety of plants, including a fruit and vegetable garden, succulents, a holly garden, a rose garden, a Japanese garden, and a wetland trail garden that serves as a bird sanctuary and nature conservancy, complete with a boardwalk.
Wrightsville Beach
The island of Wrightsville Beach is less than 10 miles from Wilmington and is a paradise for watersports enthusiasts and boaters. It’s one of the best surfing towns in the U.S., and there is no shortage of instructors for the sport in the area.
Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP) is another big hit in Wrightsville Beach, and it’s the home of the sport’s Carolina Cup. Learn how to ride the waves with surf instruction at WB Surf Camp. The Intracoastal Waterway offers marinas and boating companies for those who prefer a more leisurely experience on the waves. Celebrate boating culture during the holidays with the NC Holiday Flotilla, which is part of a festival celebrated by the town and followed up with fireworks and a lighted boat parade along the shoreline.
On land, the nearby Airlie Gardens features 67 acres of wildlife, gardens, and lakes, as well as the Airlie Oak tree, which has been growing here since 1545. Trails for walking, bird hikes, and butterfly watching wind throughout the park. In the summer months, the gardens host an evening Summer Concert Series, while winter welcomes the “Enchanted Airlie” lights display.
Oak Island
With around 10 miles of beach, visitors to Oak Island should have no problem finding waterside activities to keep them busy. A day at the beach is the perfect way to spend time, whether it’s lounging and watching the waves, or swimming or paddleboarding in the ocean. The Oak Island Pier is the state’s highest pier at 27 feet high and is 880 feet long, making it a great place to do some fishing without too much crowding. All the supplies needed for a day of great catches are available at the Pier House.
The beach runs east to west, which is perfect for watching gorgeous sunrises and sunsets in the fall. The Oak Island Lighthouse is located in a neighborhood Coast Guard station in Caswell Beach. Considered the “youngest” active lighthouse in the state, visitors are welcome to walk into the lighthouse, but reservations must be made to climb the stairs to the top. The Oak Island Nature Center, located next to the Intracoastal Waterway, is surrounded by forest and situated high in the trees, featuring a wraparound ramp and viewing platform. Adjacent to the center is Malcolm Register Park, with picnic facilities, a floating dock and fishing pier, as well as a butterfly garden.
North Carolina's safest small towns offer much more than just low crime numbers. They share an atmosphere of comfort, connection, and enjoyment that makes living in them and visiting feel rewarding. Whether wandering down a Main Street in a college town, delving into centuries-old coastal history, hiking along a greenway, or just kicking back by the water, each place has its own unique vibe, all while emphasizing safety, stability, and neighborhood pride. For those seeking a peaceful life without sacrificing recreation, community, or opportunities, these safe small towns demonstrate why North Carolina is such a great place to call home.
