F
196%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
252%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
185%
Property crime NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects the 2022 calendar year and was released from the FBI in September, 2023; this is the most current data available.
StatisticReportedincidents/100k peopleFlorence/100k peopleSouth Carolina/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime2,747n/a (estimate)6,8682,8002,324
Murder21n/a52.511.26.3
Rape19n/a47.538.240.0
Robbery49n/a122.540.666.1
Assault431n/a1,077.6401.3268.2
Violent crime520n/a (estimate)1,300491370
Burglary203n/a507.5352.7269.8
Theft1,900n/a4,750.41,706.31,401.9
Vehicle theft124n/a310.0249.2282.7
Property crime2,227n/a (estimate)5,5682,3081,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Florence, SC

The Florence crime rates are 195.5% higher than the national average. There are two main categories of crime - violent crime and property crime. Violent crime consists of murder, rape, robbery and assault, while property crimes include burglary, theft and vehicle theft. There were a total of 520 violent crimes in Florence (1300 per 100,000 people), which is 251.6% higher than the national average and there were a total of 2227 property crimes (5568 per 100,000 residents) which is 184.9% higher than average.

Having a crime rate of 6868 per 100,000 residents, Florence experiences a crime rate that is 195.5% higher when compared to the national average, leading to one of the highest overall crime rates in the nation. It's important to clarify that this doesn't imply the entire city is unsafe. Like any area, Florence contains neighborhoods with varying safety levels and you can find areas that are notably safer than others, emphasizing the need for targeted crime prevention efforts and community engagement initiatives.

Florence has gained notoriety as one of the most dangerous cities in the United States, given its alarming violent crime rate of 1300 crimes per 100,000 people. In fact, Florence falls within the lowest 10% among cities reporting violent crimes last year, resulting in a concerning 1 in 77 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. Florence 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 21 murders in Florence, which is 53 murders per 100,000 people.

Florence faces some of the nation's most elevated property crime rates, recording 5568 incidents per 100,000 people. This places the city among the worst 10% of all U.S. cities that reported crime. Regrettably, the likelihood of falling victim to property crime in Florence stands at 1 in 18, significantly surpassing the national average. These statistics underscore the imperative need for bolstered community safety measures to mitigate property crimes and enhance the well-being of its residents.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Florence?

AreaVibes conducted surveys inquiring about the safety perception of Florence residents. Out of the respondents (64 in total), 23% expressed a strong sense of security, believing that crime rates in Florence were low, and they felt comfortable walking alone at night. Conversely, 77% held a contrasting viewpoint, expressing concerns about safety in the area and feeling uncomfortable walking alone during the nighttime hours.

Is Florence a Safe Place to Live?

Determining whether Florence 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, Florence has an overall crime rate that is 196% higher than the national average. When we take a look at crime on a daily basis, this translates into 7.53 daily occurrences, comprising 1.42 violent crimes and 6.1 property crimes. Scrutinizing these statistics provides a foundation for a more informed assessment of the suitability of Florence as a potential place to establish residency.

Has Crime in Florence Increased Since Last Year?

Examining year-over-year crime data provides insights into short-term trends with regards to the crime activity in Florence. This analysis involves comparing crime rates from one year to the next, enabling the identification of patterns and fluctuations in crime. Such information proves invaluable to residents seeking to make well-informed decisions about their choice of residence. In the most recent year, compared to the previous one, total crime in Florence has increased by 5.7%. Specifically, violent crime has decreased by 1.1%, while property crime has increased by 7.4%. This data empowers individuals with a clearer understanding of the evolving safety landscape in Florence.

Potential Causes for Crime in Florence

Florence reports an unemployment rate of 2.4%, contrasting with the national average of 4.7%. Constrained employment opportunities or a prevalence of low-paying positions can contribute to elevated rates of unemployment and underemployment. Areas where individuals contend with joblessness or insufficient wages may display heightened susceptibility to an increase in criminal activities attributed to economic insecurity. Conversely, regions characterized by robust employment rates often witness a decrease in overall Florence crime rates.

In Florence, the ratio of police officers and civilians stands at 3.5 per 1,000 residents, contrasting with the national average of 3.25. This discrepancy highlights the potential impact of law enforcement and community policing on crime rates. The strength of their collaboration can serve as a deterrent to criminal behavior, fostering a safer environment. Effective law enforcement leans heavily on community policing strategies that prioritize the cultivation of trust and cooperation between police and residents. It's essential to recognize that the effectiveness of these efforts isn't solely tied to the quantity of officers but also hinges on the quality of their engagement with the community.

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 Florence is $155,000, compared to a national average of $184,700.

Florence crime map



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

      • Florence crime rates are 196% higher than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Florence are 252% higher than the national average
      • In Florence you have a 1 in 15 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Florence is safer than 1% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Florence has increased by 2%

      Florence, SC Crime Quiz

         

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        Daily Crime In Florence (per 100,000 people)

        The number of daily crimes per 100,000 residents in Florence, South Carolina is displayed in the graph above. As you can see, the daily crimes for Florence are 2.45 times more than the South Carolina average and 2.96 times more than the national level. Daily violent crimes in Florence are 2.65 times more than than South Carolina and 3.52 times more than the national mean. While daily property crimes in Florence are 2.41 times more than than South Carolina and 2.85 times more than the national average.

        How Safe is Florence (higher is better)

        Compared to the other cities in South Carolina and all other cities across the US, is Florence safe? From the gauges displayed above, you will notice that Florence is safer than 5% of other cities in the state of South Carolina. In addition, Florence is safer than 1% of cities in the entire United States. To achieve these results, all South Carolina and United States cities were analyzed to determine how many locations had a lower crime rate than Florence. By studying this data, it was possible to determine that Florence is below average in safety when compared with other United States cities.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Florence

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Florence is 1 in 77
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Florence is 1 in 18
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Florence is 1 in 15
        Interested in knowing the odds that you will be a crime victim in Florence? In Florence, you have a 1 in 77 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 18. These crimes include theft, vehicle theft, and burglary. Your overall chance of being a victim of crime in Florence, SC is 1 in 15.

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

        An analysis of year to year crime rates in Florence, South Carolina (per 100,000 people) is a useful indicator of whether the area is becoming a safer or a more dangerous place to live. The amount of violent crime in Florence has decreased by 5%, the amount of property crime in Florence has increased by 3%, and the total amount of crime in Florence has increased by 2% year over year.

        Florence police department

        Item Florence South Carolina National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)1325,812558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents3.55.13.3
        There are a total of 132 Florence police officers. This results in 3.5 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 30.8% less than the South Carolina average and 7.7% 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
        Coward, SC549000
        Quinby, SC1,0790111111
        Pamplico, SC1,2221,3383,3464,685
        Timmonsville, SC2,4641,9663,6935,659
        Darlington, SC6,0001,4056,9748,379
        Florence, SC38,5351,3005,5686,868

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Lynnwood, WA38,5383305,9126,241
        Mooresville, NC38,4981802,1322,312
        Hobbs, NM38,4759534,8345,787
        Pleasant Grove, UT38,474849501,034
        Brookfield, WI38,626411,3041,345
        Florence, SC38,5351,3005,5686,868
        Source: The Florence, SC crime data displayed above is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reports for the year of 2022. 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.