Davidson County Schools' Crime Rises as Lexington and Thomasville Report Drops

Diverging trends in school crime data across Davidson County's three public school systems

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

Newly released school crime data from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction shows sharply contrasting trends among Davidson County's three public school systems. Davidson County Schools reported a 22.7% increase in overall crime, driven largely by a 45.7% rise in drug possession offenses. In contrast, both Lexington City Schools and Thomasville City Schools saw significant declines in overall crime during the 2024-25 school year.

Why it matters

The differing crime trends in Davidson County's school districts highlight the complex challenges facing educators and administrators when it comes to maintaining safe and secure learning environments. Understanding the underlying factors behind these diverging patterns could inform policy decisions and resource allocation to address the unique needs of each community.

The details

Davidson County Schools saw a jump in reported crime, going from 181 instances in 2023-24 to 222 in 2024-25, an increase of 22.7%. There was also a large jump in possession of drugs, from 116 in 2023-24 to 169 in 2024-25, up 45.7%. However, assaults on school personnel dropped from 23 to 17. In contrast, both Lexington City Schools and Thomasville City Schools saw significant declines in overall crime during the 2024-25 school year.

  • The data is from the 2024-25 school year.
  • In the 2023-24 school year, Davidson County Schools reported 181 instances of crime.
  • In the 2024-25 school year, Davidson County Schools reported 222 instances of crime, a 22.7% increase.

The players

Davidson County Schools

The public school district serving Davidson County, North Carolina.

Lexington City Schools

The public school district serving the city of Lexington, North Carolina.

Thomasville City Schools

The public school district serving the city of Thomasville, North Carolina.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

The takeaway

The diverging crime trends in Davidson County's school districts underscore the need for tailored approaches to address the unique challenges facing each community. Policymakers and administrators will need to closely examine the underlying factors driving these patterns to develop effective strategies that promote safe and secure learning environments for all students.