South Carolina Crime Rate by City

South Carolina has above-average crime rates for both violent crimes and property crimes. By understanding the South Carolina crime rate by city, you can better remain vigilant and protect yourself. A South Carolina attorney can help if you have been accused of a crime in the state or if you have suffered a personal injury due to a crime that was committed.

Overall Crime Rates in South Carolina

The South Carolina’s State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) reviews criminal offense counts and crime rates in the state and in individual counties. The most recent SLED report covers crime statistics throughout the state in 2023. This report looks at crime rates per 10,000 units of population, and it highlights a few interesting trends:

• The violent crime rate in South Carolina decreased nearly 6% from 2022 to 2023, the third consecutive yearly decrease recorded in the state. The murder rate decreased by nearly 6%, and the total number of murders decreased by more than 4%. The aggravated assault rate also decreased by nearly 6% from 2022.
• The robbery rate in South Carolina decreased by more than 3% from 2022 to 2023. The property crime rate in general dropped by more than 6% between 2022 and 2023. The rate of breaking and entering offenses decreased by nearly 10% between 2022 and 2023.
• The motor vehicle theft rate slightly increased by just 0.3% between 2022 and 2023. Between 2019 and 2023, there was an overall decrease in the motor vehicle theft rate of nearly 11%.

Dangerous Cities and Their Crime Rates in South Carolina

Based on data from the most recent SLED report, the following cities are considered the most dangerous due to their high violent crime rates:

1. Orangeburg ranked first with the highest violent crime rate in South Carolina during 2023, with a rate of 143.20 per 10,000 residents.
2. Allendale ranked second with a violent crime rate of 122.13 per 10,000 residents.
3. Dillon ranked third with a violent crime rate of 119.14 per 10,000 residents.
4. Darlington ranked fourth with a violent crime rate of 103.50 per 10,000 residents.
5. Marlboro was ranked fifth with a violent crime rate of 93.37 per 10,000 residents.

When it comes to property crimes, there are a few differences:

1. Darlington reported the highest property crime rate in 2023, with 367.37 per 10,000 residents.
2. Orangeburg ranked second in property crimes with a rate of 354.02 per 10,000 residents.
3. Marion ranked third with 345.87 per 10,000 residents.
4. Union ranked fourth with 337.23 per 10,000 residents.
5. Dillion ranked fifth for property crime rate with 321.68 per 10,000.

Safest Cities in South Carolina

The SLED report from 2023 also highlighted the statistically safest cities in South Carolina:

1. Edgefield had the lowest violent crime rate in 2023, with 7.97 offenses per 10,000 residents.
2. McCormick ranked second with 15.09 per 10,000 residents.
3. Abbeville ranked third with 20.05 per 10,000 residents.
4. Pickens ranked fourth with 21.33 per 10,000 residents.
5. Cherokee ranked fifth with 25.57 offenses per 10,000 residents.

The lowest property crime rates in South Carolina were a bit different:

1. Saluda had the lowest property crime rate at 65.89 per 10,000 residents.
2. Edgefield had the second-lowest property crime rate at 68.46 per 10,000 residents.
3. McCormick ranked third with 103.61 per 10,000 residents.
4. Abbeville ranked fourth with 120.32 per 10,000 residents.
5. Georgetown had the fifth-lowest property crime rate at 139.05 per 10,000 residents.

Based on these reports, Edgefield, McCormick, and Abbeville are some of the statistically safest places to live in South Carolina. Abbeville saw the greatest decrease in violent crime between 2022 and 2023, with a 60.8% reduction, and Calhoun saw the greatest decrease in property crime, with a 42.33% reduction.

FAQs

Q: What Is the Crime Rate in South Carolina Compared to Other States?

A: South Carolina is one of the more dangerous states in the U.S. by crime rates. According to the 2023 SLED report, there have been some improvements. The overall violent crime rate in South Carolina decreased by nearly 6% between 2022 and 2023, and the overall property crime rate also decreased by about 6% in that time. A recent report of compiled US crime data ranked South Carolina as having the ninth-highest statewide crime rate in the country.

Q: What City Has the Lowest Crime Rate in South Carolina?

A: As of the 2023 SLED report, Edgefield had the lowest violent crime rate in South Carolina, with 7.97 offenses per 10,000 residents, but Edgefield had the second-lowest property crime rate with 68.46 offenses per 10,000 residents. Saluda had the lowest property crime rate with 65.89 offenses per 10,000 residents.

Q: Is South Carolina a Safe State to Live In?

A: South Carolina is considered one of the more dangerous states based on crime statistics, as the state has higher rates for violent and property crime than the average and median of the county. However, this does not make the entire state a dangerous location to visit or live in. There are many safe and low-crime locations, and statewide crime rates have been largely decreasing. Still, it is important to remain cautious and diligent.

Q: What Should I Do if I’m Charged With a Crime in South Carolina?

A: If you are charged with any crime in South Carolina, it’s vital to hire a criminal lawyer as soon as possible. Once you are placed under arrest, exercise your right to remain silent until you are able to speak with a criminal defense attorney. Your South Carolina criminal defense lawyer can help you determine your most viable defenses and help you reach a positive conclusion to your case.

Protecting Your Rights with a South Carolina Attorney

If you are facing criminal charges in South Carolina, you need an experienced criminal defense attorney. At Axelrod & Associates, P.A., we have worked for years in criminal defense law to protect our community. Contact us today.