A+
9%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
80%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
5%
Property crime NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: This data reflects the 2023 calendar year and was released from the FBI in September, 2024; this is the most current data available.
StatisticReportedincidents/100k peopleCentral/100k peopleSouth Carolina/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime112n/a (estimate)2,0812,6642,281
Murder0n/a0.09.05.7
Rape1n/a18.636.438.0
Robbery0n/a0.039.266.5
Assault3n/a55.8386.4264.1
Violent crime4n/a (estimate)74471364
Burglary3n/a55.8321.3250.7
Theft96n/a1,784.11,617.71,347.2
Vehicle theft9n/a167.3254.1318.7
Property crime108n/a (estimate)2,0072,1931,917

An Overview of Crime Rates in Central, SC

Crime can be categorized into two primary types: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes encompass offenses such as murder, rape, robbery, and assault, whereas property crimes involve acts like burglary, theft, and vehicle theft. The overall crime rate in Central is 22.6% lower than the national average. Specifically, there were 1 violent crimes reported in Central, equivalent to 19 per 100,000 residents, which is lower than the national average by 94.9%. Additionally, Central recorded 95 property crimes, amounting to 1781 per 100,000 people, lower than the national average by 8.9%.

Central distinguishes itself with one of the lowest violent crime rates in the U.S., reporting a mere 19 violent crimes per 100,000 people. This achievement firmly establishes Central among the safest cities in the nation, rendering it an alluring choice for those seeking a new place to call home.

In a remarkable testament to the city's commitment to safety, Central reported a murder rate of 0. This could indicate that it is a very safe place to live, but also serves as an inspiration to other urban areas striving for safer communities. Examining the full crime report will provide a complete overview of all crimes - violent and property.

In the most recent release, Central reported a property crime rate that closely aligns with the national average. In Central, there were 1781 reported property crimes, a figure consistent with the national average of 1954 per 100,000 individuals. This positions the area as maintaining a level of safety and security on par with the typical city. The harmonious statistics underscore a balanced commitment to community well-being, offering residents a sense of stability and peace in their surroundings.

Is Central a Safe Place to Live?

To get a feel for the safety of living in Central, it's essential to analyze both the overall crime rate and the daily incident count. Central presents a total crime rate that is 23% lower than the national average per 100,000 residents. Consequently, Central experiences an average of 0.26 daily crimes, comprising 0 violent incidents and 0.26 property-related offenses. This evaluation offers a comprehensive understanding of the safety landscape, aiding individuals in making informed decisions when considering relocation.

Has Crime in Central Increased Since Last Year?

Year-over-year crime data allows residents and potential residents to assess the crime in Central. A decrease in crime rates may indicate improving safety, while an increase could raise concerns. The year-over-year crime rate in Central has decreased by 11.9%. Violent crimes have decreased by 66.7%, while property crimes have decreased by 10.4%. By comparing crime rates from one year to the next, authorities and communities can identify trends and patterns in criminal activity. This helps in understanding whether crime is increasing, decreasing, or remaining stable over time.

Potential Causes for Crime in Central

The level of education within a community can impact crime rates. Higher educational attainment often correlates with lower crime rates, as it provides individuals with better job opportunities and alternatives to criminal behavior. While lower educational achievement rates tend to lead to higher crime rates. In Central, 83.7% of people have completed high school, while 83% of people have completed high school nationally.

High cost of living can lead to economic stress for individuals and families, particularly those with limited financial resources. When people struggle to make ends meet due to high housing costs, healthcare expenses, or other basic necessities, they may be more inclined to engage in criminal activities, such as theft or fraud, as a means of financial survival. On the flipside, cities that have a lower cost of living, could see a reduced crime rate. In Central, the cost of living is 12.32% lower than the national average.

In cities grappling with housing affordability challenges, crime can emerge as a prominent issue. Certain individuals and families may find themselves needing to reside in cramped or subpar housing conditions, elevating stress levels and potentially fueling domestic conflicts and associated criminal incidents. Central has a median home price of $112,500, deviating from the national average of $184,700. Large disparities in housing costs can significantly impact the well-being of residents and the prevalence of crime within the community.

Central crime map



The Central crime map provides a detailed overview of all crimes in Central as reported by the local law enforcement agencies. Based on the color coded legend above, the crime map outlines the areas with lower crime compared to the areas with higher crime. The Central crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the Central crime map does not always indicate that it is a dangerous area for its residents. Areas on the heat map could be inflated if they are located in high traffic areas like airports, sports centers or large parks. Other areas on the heat map could see increased crime rates if they are located in major tourist areas like the downtown core.
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Compare Central, SC Crime

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      Crime Quick Facts

      • Central crime rates are 9% lower than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Central are 80% lower than the national average
      • In Central you have a 1 in 49 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Central is safer than 75% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Central has increased by 16%

      Central, SC Crime Quiz

         

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        Daily Crime In Central (per 100,000 people)

        The above illustration depicts the number of crimes committed daily in Central, per 100,000 residents. In Central, the total number of daily crimes is 1.28 times less than the South Carolina average and 1.10 times less than the national average. Violent daily crime statistics in Central are 6.34 times less than the South Carolina average and 4.89 times less than the national average. For property crime, Central has a daily crime rate that is 1.09 times less than the South Carolina average and 1.05 times more than the daily national average.

        How Safe is Central (higher is better)

        How safe is Central, South Carolina compared to other cities in South Carolina and the rest of the cities across the United States? The graphs above show that Central is safer than 91% of the cities in South Carolina and 75% of the cities in the United States. These results are calculated by analyzing all cities in South Carolina and across the US as a whole and determining how many areas have a lower crime rate than Central. Overall, Central is ranked above average compared to all other cities across the United States.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Central

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Central is 1 in 1346
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Central is 1 in 50
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Central is 1 in 49
        Interested in knowing the odds that you will be a crime victim in Central? In Central, you have a 1 in 1346 chance of falling victim to a violent crime, such as rape, robbery, assault, or even murder. In terms of property crime, your chances of being a victim are 1 in 50. These crimes include theft, vehicle theft, and burglary. Your overall chance of being a victim of crime in Central, SC is 1 in 49.

        Year Over Year Crime In Central (per 100,000 people)

        Determining whether Central is becoming less or more safe for its residents (per 100,000) is most easily done by comparing year-over-year crime rates. Central violent crime rates have increased by 289%. At the same time, property crime has increased by 13% year over year. Total crimes for Central has increased by 16% in the same time frame.

        Central police department

        Item Central South Carolina National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)115,812558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents2.15.13.3
        There are a total of 11 Central police officers. This results in 2.1 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 58.4% less than the South Carolina average and 35.2% less than the National average.

        Sex offenders in South Carolina

        State Total offenders South Carolina /100K National /100K
        South Carolina15,193377266
        There are a total of 15,193 sex offenders in South Carolina. This yields a total of 377 sex offenders in South Carolina per 100,000 residents which is 42% greater than the national average.

        Nearby Cities With Low Crime Rates

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Northlake, SC3,684134626760
        Salem, SC1750820820
        Arial, SC2,1581939001,093
        Utica, SC1,7611999251,123
        Six Mile, SC9602049521,156
        Liberty, SC3,1682231,0371,260
        Centerville, SC6,8163261,5191,845
        Central, SC5,342742,0072,081

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Manitou Springs, CO5,3423891,5121,901
        Pana, IL5,33820693713
        Goshen, NY5,3462811,2981,579
        Calistoga, CA5,3463241,0121,336
        Greenville, PA5,3472511,2001,451
        Central, SC5,342742,0072,081
        Source: The Central, SC crime data displayed above is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reports for the year of 2023. The crime report encompasses more than 18,000 city and state law enforcement agencies reporting data on property and violent crimes. The uniform crime reports program represents approximately 309 million American residents, which results in 98% coverage of metropolitan statistical areas.