Charleston, MS Crime Rates: Stats & Map

Get crime, demographics and other data for any address in Charleston, MS

F

60%

Total crime NAT. AVG.

71%

Violent crime NAT. AVG.

58%

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.

Charleston crime rates are not available from the FBI crime report. The FBI's uniform crime reporting program (UCR), gathers data from more than 18,000 law enforcement agencies. The agencies include city, university, college, county, state, tribal and federal law enforcement agencies. When combined, they represent approximately 309 million American residents, or a 98% coverage rate of large metropolitan areas. This does result in approximately 20 million people who live in areas where the FBI does not provide crime reports. These areas tend to be smaller towns, villages or suburbs. Given that Charleston crime stats are not covered by the FBI crime reports, either data from local enforcement agencies is applied or estimates are calculated based on demographic data including, but not limited to: home prices, income per capita, poverty rates, unemployment rates, educational achievement and population density. The Charleston crime estimates should be used at your own risk. Please be aware that the data displayed above is estimated and not officially reported by any agency. The Charleston crime map can also be used to view a visual display of crimes committed on a block group level.
Statistic	Reported_incidents	_{/100k people}	Charleston_{/100k people}	Mississippi_{/100k people}	National_{/100k people}
Total crime	0	n/a (estimate)	917 (estimate)	1,790	2,281
Murder	n/a	n/a	n/a	6.9	5.7
Rape	n/a	n/a	n/a	32.6	38.0
Robbery	n/a	n/a	n/a	21.4	66.5
Assault	n/a	n/a	n/a	141.8	264.1
Violent crime	n/a	n/a (estimate)	104 (estimate)	203	364
Burglary	n/a	n/a	n/a	304.3	250.7
Theft	n/a	n/a	n/a	1,093.3	1,347.2
Vehicle theft	n/a	n/a	n/a	189.5	318.7
Property crime	n/a	n/a (estimate)	813 (estimate)	1,587	1,917

An Overview of Crime Rates in Charleston, MS

When we analyze the latest crime report, the Charleston crime rate is 48.2% higher than the national average. These incidents are classified into two primary categories: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes include assault, robbery, rape and murder. Whereas property crimes encompass theft, vehicle theft and burglary. In the case of Charleston, there were 26 reported violent crimes, equivalent to 1518 per 100,000 individuals, 310.4% higher than the national average. Additionally, Charleston recorded 33 property crimes, amounting to 1926 per 100,000 residents, 1.4% lower than the U.S. average.

Charleston has gained notoriety as one of the most dangerous cities in the United States, given its alarming violent crime rate of 1518 crimes per 100,000 people. In fact, Charleston falls within the lowest 10% among cities reporting violent crimes last year, resulting in a concerning 1 in 66 likelihood of experiencing a violent crime. It's important to note that safety levels may vary across different areas within the city, and this statistic doesn't necessarily reflect the entire city's situation regarding violent crime.

Although the murder rates in America have decreased steadily since 1990, over the last few years there has been an uptick. Charleston has one of the highest murder rates in the country when compared to all other cities that reported crime in the U.S. There were a total of 3 murders in Charleston, which is 175 murders per 100,000 people.

In the most recent release, Charleston reported a property crime rate that closely aligns with the national average. In Charleston, there were 1926 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 Charleston a Safe Place to Live?

Determining whether Charleston is a place to live may not always yield a simple answer, given the city's varying safety levels across different areas. Nonetheless, comprehending the city's overall crime rate can be a valuable asset. In broad terms, Charleston has an overall crime rate that is 48% higher than the national average. When we take a look at crime on a daily basis, this translates into 0.16 daily occurrences, comprising 0.07 violent crimes and 0.09 property crimes. Scrutinizing these statistics provides a foundation for a more informed assessment of the suitability of Charleston as a potential place to establish residency.

Potential Causes for Crime in Charleston

In Charleston, the poverty rate currently stands at 37.9%, which contrasts with the national average of 15.1%. It's essential to recognize that the economic status of a city's inhabitants could be a pivotal factor influencing crime stats. Communities grappling with high poverty rates and income inequality are often susceptible to elevated crime levels, as some individuals may turn to unlawful activities to fulfill their essential needs. While lower poverty rates could lead to a reduction in Charleston crime rates.

The impact of law enforcement and community policing efforts plays a crucial role in shaping crime rates in any city. A robust and cooperative bond between law enforcement and the community can serve as a deterrent to criminal activities, enhancing overall safety. In Charleston, the ratio of police officers and civilians per 1,000 residents stands at 5.04, differing from the national average of 3.25. Effective law enforcement hinges not solely on officer numbers but also on the manner in which they interact and collaborate with the community. Building trust and cooperation are central tenets of community policing, amplifying its influence on crime prevention.

Elevated rental costs can generate economic strain for both individuals and families, particularly those with restricted financial means. When a substantial proportion of one's income is allocated to housing costs, it often leaves limited resources for fulfilling other crucial necessities such as groceries, healthcare and education. This financial pressure can fuel desperation, potentially prompting individuals to resort to criminal actions, including theft or fraud, as a means of coping with their financial hardships. In Charleston, the average monthly rent stands at $526, while the national average is $949 per month.

Charleston crime map

The Charleston crime map provides a detailed overview of all crimes in Charleston 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 Charleston crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the Charleston 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 Charleston, MS Crime

Crime Quick Facts

Charleston crime rates are 60% lower than the national average
Violent crimes in Charleston are 71% lower than the national average
In Charleston you have a 1 in 110 chance of becoming a victim of crime
Charleston is safer than 4% of the cities in the United States
Year over year crime in Charleston has decreased by 73%

Charleston, MS Crime Quiz

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The best places in Mississippi

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Daily Crime In Charleston (per 100,000 people)

How Safe is Charleston (higher is better)

Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Charleston

The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Charleston is 1 in 962

The chance of being a victim of property crime in Charleston is 1 in 124

The chance of being a victim of crime in Charleston is 1 in 110

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

Charleston police department

Item	Charleston	Mississippi	National
Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)	11	4,806	558,732
Police officers & civilians /1000 residents	5.0	3.8	3.3

There are a total of 11 Charleston police officers. This results in 5.0 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 32.3% greater than the Mississippi average and 54.9% greater than the National average.

Sex offenders in Mississippi

State	Total offenders	Mississippi_/100K	National_/100K
Mississippi	11,060	380	266

There are a total of 11,060 sex offenders in Mississippi. This yields a total of 380 sex offenders in Mississippi per 100,000 residents which is 43% 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}
Lambert, MS	1,159	106	825	931
Oakland, MS	464	439	1,535	1,974
Glendora, MS	146	314	2,456	2,770
Crowder, MS	822	317	2,482	2,799
Charleston, MS	2,651	104	813	917

Cities with similar population

City	Population	Violent crime_{/100k people}	Property crime_{/100k people}	Total crime_{/100k people}
Hedwig Village, TX	2,651	43	5,951	5,995
South Hutchinson, KS	2,651	184	897	1,081
Le Center, MN	2,651	129	839	968
Meredith, NH	2,651	132	1,029	1,161
North Middletown, NJ	2,652	95	651	746
Charleston, MS	2,651	104	813	917

Source: The Charleston, MS 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.