Is Hope Mills Safe for Travel RIGHT NOW? (2024 Safety Rating)

Safety Index:

* Based on Research & Crime Data

User Sentiment:

100

* Rated 100 / 100 based on 1 user reviews.

Hope Mills is a fast-growing town just southwest of the much larger Fayetteville.

This community was originally founded in the 1760s and became one of the top cotton mill towns in the South until the Civil War demolished much of what was flourishing.

The “hope” for a brighter future was held when “Hope Mills” was rebuilt.

While the cotton mill is no longer operating, Hope Mills still honors its history and origins as a mill town.

Some of the old mill buildings have been restored and repurposed over the years.

The town is also known for being located near the large Fort Bragg military base, with many residents being active duty or military families.

Hope Mills hosts several popular local events each year, such as the Hope Mills Fall Festival, Christmas Parade, and Block Party, which help bring the community together.

In recent decades, Hope Mills has seen suburban growth and development as the nearby city of Fayetteville has expanded.

But the town still maintains its small-town charm and identity, honoring its roots.

Long-time residents take pride in their community’s history.

In 2011, the first female mayor, Jackie Warner, was elected.

Though it faces some growing pains and crime challenges, Hope Mills retains its mill town origins and close-knit feel.

The people, events, and landmarks of this North Carolina town continue to celebrate its unique history while looking to the future.

NOTE:

While you’re researching this area, ensure you are looking at Fayetteville, North Carolina, as there’s one in Arkansas, too.

Warnings & Dangers in Hope Mills

OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM

There's a medium risk in Hope Mills with a higher-than-average crime rate and a small list of things to do. Most major attractions are in nearby Fayetteville, which is even more of a medium risk.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW

Fayetteville Area Transit covers part of Hope Mills. You can also use taxis or rideshares, but they might not be as readily available as in some cities. Your own rental car is the safest option.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM

I was quite surprised to see an average of 17 pickpockets or purse snatchings a year over the past five years. That's a medium risk because it far exceeds any other city of this size I've researched in North Carolina. That's on top of a theft risk of more than double the national average.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM

You have quite a few risks here, so it's another medium risk. Hurricanes and tropical storms can move over from the coast, and thunderstorms that spawn tornadoes can also come from the east. Since most of the things to do in Hope Mills are outdoors, it's important always to keep an eye on the forecast.

MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM

Statistically, this is a low risk due to such a small percentage of robberies being against strangers on the street. It's wise to treat it as a medium risk due to the growing crime rates and random acts of violence.

TERRORISM RISK: LOW

International terrorism is a low risk, but there's always potential for domestic terrorism in any community. Keep the risk low by reporting anything suspicious you see.

SCAMS RISK: LOW

Since this isn't a big tourist destination, there is a low risk of a tourist being scammed. The most common ones are reported by residents.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: MEDIUM

Women face the same medium risk as anyone else. It's important to stick with a friend as much as possible and don't walk around at night alone.

TAP WATER RISK: LOW

The risk is low, with a passing grade on the annual water quality report. However, some parts of this region have dealt with industrial pollution from the rivers getting into tap water. You can read those concerns and contact the utility if you have further questions.

Safest Places to Visit in Hope Mills

You’ll use the Distinctly Fayetteville tourism site to find information about all the nearby towns, including Hope Mills.

The city’s website will have a list of parks and events that can be helpful as well.

Start by visiting the Hope Mills Historic District.

This charming area showcases well-preserved homes and buildings dating back to the 18th century, offering a glimpse into the town’s rich heritage.

You’ll learn how it got the name “Hope Mills.”

You might want to explore the beautiful Hope Mills Municipal Park, where you can enjoy a peaceful stroll, have a picnic, or simply relax in the serene natural surroundings.

This hub becomes vibrant throughout the year as it hosts various events and concerts, providing a lively atmosphere for locals and visitors alike.

If you’re seeking a tranquil escape, pay a visit to Hope Mills Lake.

This serene body of water offers opportunities for fishing, picnicking, and leisurely strolls along its scenic shores.

You can also rent paddleboats or canoes for a relaxing day on the water.

For entertainment, head to the Hope Mills Municipal Park.

This vibrant hub hosts various events and concerts throughout the year, providing a lively atmosphere for locals and visitors alike.

Check their event schedule for upcoming performances.

The Putt-Putt Fun Center allows you to challenge your friends or family to a round of mini-golf on their well-designed courses, complete with fun obstacles and challenges.

Other amusements, like go-karts, batting cages, and arcade games, are available, making it an ideal spot for a day of lighthearted fun and friendly competition.

As you explore the Butler Nature Preserve, you’ll find yourself surrounded by lush greenery, peaceful walking trails, and diverse wildlife.

The preserve also features informative signage and educational materials that allow visitors to learn about the local flora and fauna.

Places to Avoid in Hope Mills

The western side of the city has the highest crime rates, including Hope Mills North and Pine Knoll.

The safer parts, at least statistically, are south of the river and east of Legion Road.

As with any town that deals with higher crime rates, you should avoid driving around the city without having a plan and GPS directions.

Don’t cut through neighborhoods, and don’t stop to ask for directions in an unknown neighborhood.

Don’t dismiss any tropical weather or hurricane concerns simply because you’re 90 miles inland.

Those storms come over land and might weaken but still cause extensive rain, tornadoes, and high winds.

Safety Tips for Traveling to Hope Mills

Hope Mills does have its own police department. You can follow them on Facebook by searching for “Hope Mills Police Department.” They are also on Instagram @hopemillspd910. The phone number is (910)425-4103.
Sign up for Cumberland Alerts so you can be informed when severe weather or public safety issues are happening. The program is through Everbridge, and it just takes a few seconds to sign up.
You can review the different types of severe weather and how to prepare on the ReadyNC.gov website. It’s especially important to focus on tornadoes, hurricanes, and flash flooding.
Anglers are required to have a license from the state of North Carolina. You can visit the Go Outdoors North Carolina website to learn more. In this part of the state, you’ll need an inland license.
Hope Mills has been dealing with a homelessness issue, and that has led to some uncomfortable to threatening confrontations between the homeless and residents. If you see a homeless camp, go out of your way to avoid walking by. Never give money to a person panhandling. You can donate to a homeless shelter instead if you’d like.
If you notice a problem on the street, like a pothole or a fallen tree branch, please call the street crews to notify them of the issue. That number is (910)424-4555 ext 3383.
The city has an eNotify system where you can sign up for localized alerts or other types of city information. I’d recommend choosing the Alert Center and News Flash for the Police Department at minimum.
By one estimation, Hope Mills will have 50,000 people by 2030. That’s more than doubling the current population. That means a lot of road and land construction in years to come. I’d definitely check the city projects for roadwork and use the NC 511 mapping system to look for detours during traffic backups.
If you’re renting a car while you’re here, avoid Kia and Hyundai vehicles. Those have been the target of car thieves for a few years now. Car thefts have more than tripled in Hope Mills since 2017.
If you see any crime happen or notice a fight brewing, leave the location and call the police. Never try to intervene, even with the best of intentions. Let the police come handle it.

So... How Safe Is Hope Mills Really?

Hope Mills saw a spike in violent crimes in 2017 and hasn’t been able to recover the losses.

Violent crime is 50% higher than the national average and 41% higher than the state average.

The only respite for those considering a visit to Hope Mills is that 47% of violent crimes happen in private homes, and less than 20% of those crimes happen against strangers.

Thefts are concerning, too, coming in 104% higher than the national average.

Of that, 25% are related to car break-ins and car accessory thefts.

Shoplifting is the top theft category.

Reading through pages of news articles, there just seems to be a brazenness about the crime here.

A few examples: a 12-year-old boy assaulted on his way to school, an illegal shooting range in the woods where bullets fly into neighbor’s homes, and a teenager shot and killed at a gas station.

While there’s nothing shocking about this type of gun violence, it is concerning when it’s happening in a town of 18,000 people.

However, it’s still a good 40% lower than the Fayetteville violence crime rate.

If you’re picking between the two cities, Hope Mills is definitely a safer option.

How Does Hope Mills Compare?

City	Safety Index
Hope Mills	53
Philadelphia	60
Houston	59
Atlanta	58
St. Louis	58
Los Angeles	56
Oakland	57
La Paz (Bolivia)	52
Sao Paulo (Brazil)	45
Rio de Janeiro (Brazil)	43
Sofia (Bulgaria)	73
Siem Reap (Cambodia)	63
Phnom Penh (Cambodia)	61

Useful Information

Visas

International visitors need either a visa or visa waiver, with the latter only being eligible for people from certain countries who meet specific criteria. A valid passport that isn't within six months of expiring is required, too.

Currency

The U.S. Dollar is your only currency option here. You can exchange currency at the airports in Charlotte and Raleigh Durham, but not Fayetteville. You'll get the get lowest rates taking care of currency exchange at your home bank or a local bank of your global bank.

Weather

Nothing stands out about the weather here throughout the four seasons that should impact how you pack accordingly. However, you will need bug spray from June through November, but you can always buy that when you get here.

Airports

Hope Mills is just five miles from Fayetteville Regional Airport. American Airlines and Delta Air Lines fly out there. Raleigh Durham International Airport is 90 minutes away, and Charlotte Douglas International is 2.5 hours.

Travel Insurance

When traveling somewhere with unpredictable weather that could disrupt your plans, purchasing travel insurance is always a good idea. Also, consider travel health insurance if your existing policy doesn't cover you outside the US. Review your rental car insurance to confirm you're protected if there's an accident.

Click here to get an offer for travel insurance

Hope Mills Weather Averages (Temperatures)

Jan 7° C

Feb 9° C

Mar 13° C

Apr 18° C

May 22° C

Jun 26° C

Jul 28° C

Aug 27° C

Sep 24° C

Oct 18° C

Nov 13° C

Dec 9° C

Average High/Low Temperature

Temperature / Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °C	12	15	19	24	28	31	33	32	29	24	19	14
Low °C	1	3	6	11	15	20	22	21	18	11	6	3
High °F	54	59	66	75	82	88	91	90	84	75	66	57
Low °F	34	37	43	52	59	68	72	70	64	52	43	37

North Carolina - Safety by City

City	Safety Index
Apex	84
Asheville	57
Boone	82
Cary	83
Chapel Hill	81
Charlotte	56
Cornelius	75
Corolla	81
Davidson	82
Duck	79
Durham	84
Elizabeth City	79
Gastonia	61
Goldsboro	46
Greensboro	77
Hatteras	82
Hickory	68
High Point	62
Hope Mills	53
Kannapolis	82
Kill Devil Hills	77
Kitty Hawk	79
Manteo	75
Mooresville	77
Morehead City	78
New Bern	77
Raleigh	74
Rocky Mount	52
Rodanthe	85
Statesville	78
Wilmington	84
Winston-Salem	47

Is Hope Mills Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

North Carolina : Safety by City