What is the safest part of Durham, NC? Downtown Durham and surrounding Duke University are the safest places to live and visit in Durham, North Carolina. Some specific neighborhoods, such as Southpoint, Treyburn, and Northgate Park, are generally considered safe. The crime rate in Durham is 48.38 per 1,000 residents in a typical year. Durham residents generally consider the southwestern part of the city to be the safest. The likelihood of being a victim of crime in Durham varies by neighborhood, from 1 in 15 in neighborhoods in the Northeast to 1 in 27 in the Southwest.
Durham neighborhoods have varying levels of security, and some areas are safer than others. The southern part of the city is generally safer than the northern part, and downtown Durham is considered a safe area to visit. Below is a list of the neighborhoods closest to campus where several Duke students live. Neighborhoods with an asterisk indicate proximity to a Duke bus line.
It's important to note that, when you compare Durham to other communities with a similar population, Durham's crime rate (violent and property crimes combined) is much higher than average. Old North Durham is further away than previous neighborhoods, but is popular for its proximity to downtown Durham and nightlife. Public transport in Durham is generally safe during travel hours (7 a.m. to 7 p.m.), and there are services such as Go Durham which offer a free bus service until June 2024.
