F
35%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
49%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
32%
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.
Chester 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 Chester 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 Chester 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 Chester crime map can also be used to view a visual display of crimes committed on a block group level.
StatisticReportedincidents/100k peopleChester/100k peopleSouth Carolina/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime0n/a (estimate)3,072 (estimate)2,6642,281
Murdern/an/an/a9.05.7
Rapen/an/an/a36.438.0
Robberyn/an/an/a39.266.5
Assaultn/an/an/a386.4264.1
Violent crimen/an/a (estimate)543 (estimate)471364
Burglaryn/an/an/a321.3250.7
Theftn/an/an/a1,617.71,347.2
Vehicle theftn/an/an/a254.1318.7
Property crimen/an/a (estimate)2,529 (estimate)2,1931,917

An Overview of Crime Rates in Chester, 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 Chester is 137.3% higher than the national average. Specifically, there were 134 violent crimes reported in Chester, equivalent to 2566 per 100,000 residents, which is higher than the national average by 593.9%. Additionally, Chester recorded 154 property crimes, amounting to 2949 per 100,000 people, higher than the national average by 50.9%.

Chester has a crime rate of 5515 per 100,000 people, which surpasses the national average by 137.29%, leading to one of the highest total crime rates in the United States. Addressing this issue is vital for improving overall safety and desirability of Chester. Efforts to reduce crime through community engagement, effective law enforcement, and collaborative initiatives are essential to create a more secure and appealing environment for residents and prospective newcomers alike.

Chester ranks among the bottom 10% of all U.S. cities reporting violent crime, earning its reputation as one of the nation's most dangerous areas. With a violent crime rate of 2566 per 100,000 people, Chester is considered one of the most unsafe cities in America. This statistic translates to a 1 in 39 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime in Chester, underscoring the need for increased safety measures and community engagement to improve the city's security.

While murder rates in the United States have generally declined since 1990, recent years have seen an unfortunate uptick. Chester stands out with one of the nation's highest murder rates among cities reporting crime data. In Chester, a total of 2 murders were reported, equating to 38 murders per 100,000 residents. This statistic underscores the challenges facing the area in terms of severe violent crime and the importance of ongoing efforts to enhance safety and security within the community.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Chester?

AreaVibes has conducted polls asking local residents if they feel safe living in Chester. Based on the results of the surveys (14 responses), 7% of people felt that there was very little crime in Chester and felt safe walking alone at night. While 93% of people felt that it was not a safe place to live and did not feel safe walking alone at night.

Is Chester a Safe Place to Live?

Is Chester a safe place to live? While the answer may not be straightforward due to variations in safety levels across the city, gaining an understanding of the overall crime rate can prove to be advantageous. In general, Chester has a crime rate that is higher than the national average by 137%. Breaking this down on a daily basis, it translates to 0.79 daily incidents, encompassing 0.37 violent crimes and 0.42 property crimes. Evaluating these statistics can aid in forming a more informed perspective on the safety of Chester as a potential place to call home.

Has Crime in Chester Increased Since Last Year?

Year-over-year crime rates in Chester has increased by 10.3% in the last reported crime report. Comparing crime rates from one year to another offers some insight into whether or not Chester is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live. Crime rates are categorized by violent and property crime. Year-over-year violent crime has increased by 106.2%, while property crime has increased by 21.4%. This analysis equips individuals with crucial information for making informed decisions about living in Chester.

Potential Causes for Crime in Chester

Chester has a ratio of police officers and civilians per 1,000 residents that differs from the national norm, with 5.34 officers and civilians per 1,000 residents, compared to 3.25 nationwide. Crime rates are profoundly influenced by the effectiveness of law enforcement and community policing endeavors. A resilient and cooperative partnership between law enforcement agencies and the community can serve as a deterrent to criminal activities, ultimately enhancing safety. The efficacy of law enforcement extends beyond mere numbers and extends into the realm of community policing strategies, emphasizing the cultivation of trust and collaboration between officers and the community. It is not merely a matter of quantity but the quality of engagement with the community that matters most.

In areas where housing affordability is an issue, crime can become a significant concern. Some individuals and families may be forced to live in overcrowded or substandard housing conditions, which can increase stress and potentially contribute to domestic disputes and related crimes. The median home price in Chester is $67,700, compared to a national average of $184,700.

High rent costs can create economic stress for individuals and families, particularly those with limited financial resources. When a significant portion of one's income is spent on housing, there may be less money available for other essential needs such as food, healthcare and education. Economic stress can contribute to desperation and potentially lead individuals to engage in criminal activities, such as theft or fraud, as a means of financial survival. Average rent rates in Chester are $599, compared to a national average of $949 per month.

Chester crime map



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

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      Crime Quick Facts

      • Chester crime rates are 35% higher than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Chester are 49% higher than the national average
      • In Chester you have a 1 in 33 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Chester is safer than 2% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Chester has decreased by 37%

      Chester, SC Crime Quiz

         

        Safest Places to Live in and Around Chester

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        Do you feel safe walking alone at night in Chester?
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        See all Chester poll results

        Daily Crime In Chester (per 100,000 people)

        How Safe is Chester (higher is better)

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Chester

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Chester is 1 in 185
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Chester is 1 in 40
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Chester is 1 in 33

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

        Chester police department

        Item Chester South Carolina National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)305,812558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents5.35.13.3
        There are a total of 30 Chester police officers. This results in 5.3 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 5.3% greater than the South Carolina average and 64.1% greater 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
        Eureka Mill, SC2,1212491,1591,408
        McConnells, SC2933581,6652,022
        Richburg, SC3494442,0672,510
        Lowrys, SC2474522,1052,557
        Carlisle, SC5716563,0563,712
        Lockhart, SC4277143,3234,037
        Gayle Mill, SC8327483,4844,233
        Chester, SC5,3925432,5293,072

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Pinckneyville, IL5,39140201241
        Fruitland, ID5,39099664762
        Pearl Beach, MI5,3952368001,036
        Cavalero, WA5,3952041,6511,855
        Sinton, TX5,3892542,1012,355
        Chester, SC5,3925432,5293,072
        Source: The Chester, 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.