Cartersville Crime Statistics & Data

Official crime data and safety statistics Cartersville, Georgia

Last Updated: December 2024 | Sources: FBI UCR, AreaVibes, CrimeGrade.org, NeighborhoodScout

Overall Crime Rate
2,812
Per 100K residents
Violent Crime Rate
481
30% higher than national avg
Property Crime Rate
2,331
19.3% higher than national avg
Crime Cost Per Household
$946
Annual household cost

Key Findings

  • Cartersville ranks safer than 57% of US cities nationally, earning a B- safety grade with a crime rate of 21.81 per 1,000 residents, positioning it as moderately safe among Georgia communities.
  • In 2023, Cartersville recorded 655 total crimes comprising 112 violent crimes and 543 property crimes, with the 2024 crime rate falling 32% compared to 2023, demonstrating significant recent improvement.
  • Crime costs each household $946 annually, representing $248 less than the national average of $1,194, with per-resident costs of $343 being $121 below the US average.
  • Residents face a 1 in 256 chance of becoming a violent crime victim and 1 in 47 chance of property crime victimization, with overall crime odds of 1 in 40.
  • A crime occurs on average every 5 hours and 59 minutes in Cartersville, with the west side of the city consistently ranking as the safest area while the southeast experiences higher incident rates.
  • As Bartow County's seat with a population of 25,082, Cartersville has grown 57.5% since 2000, maintaining median household income of $78,640 while balancing historic downtown charm with suburban expansion.
  • The city's crime profile shows declining trends over the past five years with both violent and property crime decreasing, suggesting improved public safety outcomes as the community matures.
  • Cartersville is located 45 miles north of Atlanta along Interstate 75, offering proximity to metropolitan employment while maintaining lower crime rates than many metro Atlanta suburbs inside the Perimeter.

2023 Crime Statistics

Based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data for 2023, Cartersville recorded a total of 655 crimes. The city's crime profile shows rates above national averages but with recent significant improvement, including a 32% decrease from 2023 to 2024.

Crime Category 2023 Incidents Rate per 100K vs. National Avg Assessment
Total Violent Crimes 112 481 +30.0% Above National Average
Total Property Crimes 543 2,331 +19.3% Above National Average
Total All Crimes 655 2,812 +21.0% Above National Average
Crime Rate (City-Data) 171 index score 1.4x smaller than US avg Better than 69.8% of cities Improving Trend
2024 Improvement 32% decrease Significant decline Major improvement Positive Trajectory

Economic Impact of Crime

Crime creates direct and indirect costs for Cartersville households through security measures, insurance premiums, property loss, and quality of life impacts. Cartersville's costs are notably below both national and Georgia state averages.

Cost Category Amount Details Comparison
Annual Household Cost $946 Total estimated cost per household $248 below national average
Per Resident Cost $343 Individual economic impact $121 below national average
vs. Georgia State Average $343 per resident State comparison $106 below state average
Total Community Cost (2025) $23,010,824 City-wide economic impact 1.0% of median income
Intangible Costs $59.86 million ($893/resident) Pain, suffering, quality of life Research-based methodology
Primary Cost Drivers Property crimes Theft, burglary, vehicle theft Majority of direct costs
Security Investments Moderate trend Alarms, cameras, enhanced locks Growing in commercial areas
Insurance Impact Reasonable premiums Reflects local statistics Lower than metro Atlanta

Crime by Neighborhood

Crime distribution in Cartersville varies significantly by area, with the west side showing the lowest rates and the southeast experiencing higher activity. Geographic patterns reflect commercial corridor activity and residential density.

Area Annual Incidents Crime Level Characteristics Victim Risk
West Cartersville Lowest citywide Safest Residential neighborhoods, family-oriented 1 in 62 chance
Southeast Cartersville ~86 per year Highest Commercial corridors, higher density 1 in 24 chance
Northwest Cartersville ~270 per year Higher Activity Mixed-use, retail areas Moderate risk
Historic Downtown Moderate Mixed Main Street businesses, county seat Walkable, visible
Residential Subdivisions Lower activity Safe Newer developments, suburbs Below city average

Crime Trend Analysis

Cartersville has experienced significant improvement in public safety over recent years, with both violent and property crime declining. The 32% decrease from 2023 to 2024 represents substantial progress in community safety efforts.

Metric Recent Trend Current Status Assessment
5-Year Violent Crime Declining 481 per 100K (2023) Improving
5-Year Property Crime Declining 2,331 per 100K (2023) Positive trend
2023 to 2024 -32% reduction Significant improvement Major progress
Long-term Pattern 14-year decline Sustained improvement Consistent safety gains
Population Growth +57.5% since 2000 25,082 residents (2024) Crime declining despite growth

Regional Safety Comparison

Cartersville performs moderately among Georgia cities and the United States, ranking safer than 57% of US cities. The city maintains crime rates higher than some suburban communities but lower than many similarly-sized cities.

Location Overall Crime Rate Violent Crime Rate Property Crime Rate Safety Status
Cartersville 2,812 per 100K 481 per 100K 2,331 per 100K 57th Percentile (B- grade)
Bartow County Comparable Similar rates Similar rates County seat context
Georgia Average ~2,400 per 100K ~380 per 100K ~2,020 per 100K Cartersville above state
National Average 2,324 per 100K 370 per 100K 1,954 per 100K Cartersville above US avg
Safer than 69.8% of US Cities City-Data index: 171 1.4x lower than national -- Better than most
Safer than 26% GA Cities State ranking Room for improvement -- Middle tier in Georgia

Community & Demographic Context

Cartersville's population of 25,082 represents significant growth of 57.5% since 2000, transforming the historic county seat into a thriving community. With median household income of $78,640 and median home values of $350,000, Cartersville attracts families and professionals seeking affordable living near Atlanta.

Metric Cartersville Statistics Context Safety Impact
Population (2024) 25,082 residents +57.5% growth since 2000 Rapid suburban expansion
Median Household Income $78,640 (2023) Above Georgia average Economic stability
Median Home Value $350,000 (2024) Affordable compared to metro Atlanta Property investment
Poverty Rate 13.6% Near national average Moderate economic challenges
Population Density 745 per square mile Lower than 50% of US cities Suburban character
Median Age 37.1 years Mix of families and retirees Stable demographics
Home Ownership 53.8% Majority owner-occupied Stable resident base
Education 26% bachelor's or higher Growing professional class Career opportunities
Location 45 miles north of Atlanta on I-75 Commuter access to metro Suburban alternative

Official Data Sources

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