Lexington, SC Crime Rates

An Overview of Crime Rates in Lexington, SC

The Lexington crime rates are 18.9% lower 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 60 violent crimes in Lexington (241 per 100,000 people), which is 34.8% lower than the national average and there were a total of 409 property crimes (1644 per 100,000 residents) which is 15.9% lower than average.

Despite a steady decline in murder rates in the United States since 1990, recent years have witnessed an unfortunate uptick. Lexington stands out with one of the nation's highest murder rates, surpassing other cities that reported crime. In Lexington, there were a total of 3 murders, translating to 12 murders per 100,000 people, underscoring the pressing need for continued efforts to address and reduce severe violent crime in the area.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Lexington?

AreaVibes conducted surveys inquiring about the safety perception of Lexington residents. Out of the respondents (41 in total), 73% expressed a strong sense of security, believing that crime rates in Lexington were low, and they felt comfortable walking alone at night. Conversely, 27% held a contrasting viewpoint, expressing concerns about safety in the area and feeling uncomfortable walking alone during the nighttime hours.

Is Lexington a Safe Place to Live?

To get a feel for the safety of living in Lexington, it's essential to analyze both the overall crime rate and the daily incident count. Lexington presents a total crime rate that is 19% lower than the national average per 100,000 residents. Consequently, Lexington experiences an average of 1.28 daily crimes, comprising 0.16 violent incidents and 1.12 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 Lexington Increased Since Last Year?

Year-over-year crime rates in Lexington has decreased by 24.8% in the last reported crime report. Comparing crime rates from one year to another offers some insight into whether or not Lexington 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 decreased by 6.3%, while property crime has decreased by 27%. This analysis equips individuals with crucial information for making informed decisions about living in Lexington.

Potential Causes for Crime in Lexington

In Lexington, the poverty rate currently stands at 8.8%, 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 Lexington crime rates.

Rising cost of living expenses, including increased housing costs, grocery, utility and healthcare expenditures, can induce financial strain on individuals and families, particularly those with limited financial resources. Such economic stress may propel individuals towards crime, including theft or burglary, as a means of addressing their financial hardships. Conversely, cities characterized by a lower cost of living may alleviate economic pressures, potentially resulting in a reduced crime rate. In Lexington, the cost of living is 0.81% higher than the national average, reflecting a more affordable economic environment that could contribute to a decrease in crime levels.

In Lexington, the average rental rates are $1,080 per month, compared to the national average of $949. Rapid increases in rental costs can lead to neighborhood instability as residents are forced to move frequently in search of more affordable housing. This transience can weaken community bonds and hinder the establishment of social support networks, which can indirectly contribute to crime. While affordable rent and areas with higher income per capita, allow for long term renters and community bonds to the formed, therefore reducing crime rates on the long term.

Lexington crime map