Safest cities in South Carolina

Known as the 'Palmetto State,' South Carolina is celebrated for its warm hospitality, historic charm, and scenic landscapes. Located in the southeastern United States, South Carolina offers a variety of terrains, including beautiful beaches, lush forests, and rolling hills. The state's economy is driven by industries such as tourism, manufacturing, agriculture, and technology. Charleston, the state's oldest city, is known for its well-preserved architecture, vibrant arts scene, and rich history. South Carolina is also home to numerous cultural attractions, including historic sites, museums, and music festivals, reflecting its diverse heritage and traditions.

Low crime rates are essential for maintaining a high quality of life, making the safest cities in South Carolina highly desirable. Safety fosters a sense of community and stability, allowing residents to thrive in a secure environment. Factors contributing to the safety of South Carolina's cities include strong law enforcement, active community policing, and engaged local governments. The safest cities are ranked based on total crime per 100,000 people, ensuring a transparent and reliable measure of safety. This emphasis on security allows residents to enjoy South Carolina's natural beauty, cultural richness, and economic opportunities without the overshadowing concern of crime, making it an attractive place to live and work.

Bluffton Population: 23,176 654 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 69 Property Crime / 100k: 585 chance of being a victim: 1 in 153

Bluffton proudly holds the honor of being the safest city in South Carolina. With only 654 crimes per 100,000 people, Bluffton has a crime rate that is 64% lower than the South Carolina average. This equates to an average of 0.65 crimes per day and a 1 in 153 chance of becoming a victim of a crime. The city's well-funded police department, active neighborhood watch programs, and community engagement initiatives contribute significantly to its low crime rates, making it an ideal place for families and retirees.

Fort Mill Population: 19,920 809 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 68 Property Crime / 100k: 741 chance of being a victim: 1 in 124

Known for its tight-knight community and safe environment, Fort Mill comes in at #2 on our list of the safest cities in South Carolina with a crime rate of 809 crimes per 100,000 people. When you dig deeper into the numbers, this translates to: 74 counts of burglary, 600 counts of theft, 68 counts of vehicle theft, 58 counts of assault, 3 counts of robbery, 6 counts of rape and 0 counts of homicide. The commitment to safety in Fort Mill, makes it one of the safest and most livable areas in the state.

Tega Cay Population: 10,834 1,080 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 44 Property Crime / 100k: 1,036 chance of being a victim: 1 in 93

With a population of 10,834 and a total crime rate of 1,080 per 100,000 residents, Tega Cay is the 3rd safest city in South Carolina. Exhibiting a total crime rate that is 86% lower than the South Carolina average, the commitment to safety is evident in its multifaceted crime prevention strategies. The local government collaborates closely with residents through regular community meetings and feedback sessions to address safety concerns. The end result, is an incredibly safe place to live.

Clover Population: 6,370 1,342 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 112 Property Crime / 100k: 1,230 chance of being a victim: 1 in 75

With many parks and recreational activities readily available, Clover is a growing community where residents can enjoy the outdoors. Residents also feel safe, knowing that the overall crime rate per 100,000 people is 1,342, 93% lower than the South Carolina average. This amounts to 0.26 crimes per day and a 1 in 75 chance of becoming a victim of a crime. Strong community partnerships between local businesses, schools, and law enforcement further enhance the city’s security. These combined efforts make Clover a highly desirable and safe place to call home.

Port Royal Population: 13,265 1,512 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 261 Property Crime / 100k: 1,251 chance of being a victim: 1 in 66

Known for its friendly neighborhoods and proactive safety measures, Port Royal consistently ranks high in safety. In Port Royal, the focus on community policing ensures that officers are integrated into the community, building strong relationships with residents. Crime prevention education, offered through schools and local organizations, empowers residents to take an active role in maintaining their safety. With everything working asynchronously, the total crime rate comes in at 1,512, which is 87% lower than the state average.

Mount Pleasant Population: 89,410 1,544 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 127 Property Crime / 100k: 1,418 chance of being a victim: 1 in 65

Mount Pleasant has lots to offer its residents, including safety as it comes in at #6 on our list of the safest cities in South Carolina. The total crime rate from the year that it was last reported was 1,544 crimes per 100,000 people, 6% lower than the South Carolina average. Breaking down each category of crime, it comes out to: 137 reports of burglary, 1,081 reports of theft, 199 reports of vehicle theft, 96 reports of assault, 13 reports of robbery, 18 reports of rape and 0 reports of homicide.

Central Population: 5,342 1,799 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 19 Property Crime / 100k: 1,781 chance of being a victim: 1 in 56

Central ranks as the seventh safest city in South Carolina and offers a peaceful retreat with minimal crime. With a 1 in 56 chance of becoming a victim of a crime and 0.26 crimes per day (per 100,000 people), the area has a safety record that speaks for itself. Active involvement from its residents, such as neighborhood patrols and community safety workshops, fosters a strong sense of community and vigilance. Central’s commitment to safety makes it one of the safest places in South Carolina.

Hanahan Population: 25,743 1,841 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 394 Property Crime / 100k: 1,447 chance of being a victim: 1 in 54

Recognized for sprawling open spaces, outdoor recreational opportunities, and a growing economy, Hanahan is the 8th safest city in South Carolina. Continuously ranking as one of the safest cities in the state, the crime rate came in at 78% lower than the South Carolina average, reporting a total of 1,841 crimes per 100,000 people. The city places a strong emphasis on public safety through various initiatives that promote collaboration between residents and local authorities. Regular community safety events and lots of outdoor spaces, coupled with an accessible and responsive police force, ensure that residents feel safe and supported.

Lexington Population: 21,847 1,885 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 241 Property Crime / 100k: 1,644 chance of being a victim: 1 in 53

Many safe cities implement comprehensive crime prevention programs that include educational initiatives, youth engagement activities, and public awareness campaigns. Lexington is a great example of such a city and continually ranks as one of the safest communities in South Carolina, based on the annual review of the FBI uniform crime report. Statistically speaking, there were a total of 1,885 crimes per 100,000 residents, which is 75% lower than the state average.

Goose Creek Population: 42,944 2,068 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 279 Property Crime / 100k: 1,789 chance of being a victim: 1 in 48

Completing the list as the 10th safest city in South Carolina, is Goose Creek. With a low rate of crime that included 259 burglaries, 1,331 thefts, 199 vehicle thefts, 221 assaults, 24 robberies, 30 rapes and 4 homicides, the overall crime rate was 53% lower than the state average. Cities with engaged citizens and responsive government bodies are more likely to implement effective policies and practices that promote safety and address residents’ concerns.

Full list of the safest cities in South Carolina

Rank	Location	Population	Violent Crimes /100k	Property Crimes /100k	Total Crimes /100k
1	Bluffton	23,176	69	585	654
2	Fort Mill	19,920	68	741	809
3	Tega Cay	10,834	44	1,036	1,080
4	Clover	6,370	112	1,230	1,342
5	Port Royal	13,265	261	1,251	1,512
6	Mount Pleasant	89,410	127	1,418	1,544
7	Central	5,342	19	1,781	1,799
8	Hanahan	25,743	394	1,447	1,841
9	Lexington	21,847	241	1,644	1,885
10	Goose Creek	42,944	279	1,789	2,068
11	Mauldin	25,829	293	1,874	2,167
12	Clemson	16,917	226	1,948	2,173
13	Fountain Inn	10,127	451	1,788	2,239
14	Charleston	137,041	375	1,889	2,264
15	Greer	32,229	254	2,014	2,268
16	North Augusta	23,370	168	2,284	2,452
17	Abbeville	5,014	575	1,931	2,506
18	Hardeeville	6,788	240	2,531	2,771
19	Seneca	8,424	658	2,142	2,800
20	Travelers Rest	7,947	13	2,795	2,808
21	Easley	21,149	357	2,665	3,023
22	Summerville	53,643	366	2,680	3,045
23	Rock Hill	74,410	479	2,679	3,159
24	Beaufort	13,417	331	3,045	3,376
25	Conway	24,747	685	2,717	3,402
26	Newberry	10,219	647	2,770	3,417
27	Moncks Corner	11,370	618	2,819	3,437
28	Columbia	134,057	599	2,856	3,454
29	Laurens	8,863	623	3,062	3,685
30	Irmo	12,397	461	3,317	3,778
31	Forest Acres	10,300	333	3,624	3,957
32	Simpsonville	23,200	313	3,672	3,985
33	Aiken	31,428	594	3,480	4,074
34	Sumter	39,758	882	3,220	4,102
35	Greenville	69,648	542	3,677	4,219
36	Batesburg-Leesville	5,504	724	3,620	4,344
37	Bennettsville	7,905	1,277	3,207	4,484
38	Gaffney	12,733	358	4,223	4,581
39	York	8,287	690	3,931	4,621
40	North Myrtle Beach	16,684	448	4,344	4,792
41	Greenwood	23,351	822	4,055	4,877
42	Cayce	13,964	1,007	4,004	5,011
43	Clinton	8,347	1,201	3,954	5,155
44	Chester	5,392	2,566	2,949	5,515
45	North Charleston	113,880	942	4,805	5,748
46	Lake City	6,562	2,069	3,750	5,819
47	Camden	7,185	1,094	4,898	5,992
48	West Columbia	17,782	734	5,523	6,257
49	Marion	6,598	1,011	5,408	6,418
50	Anderson	27,387	616	5,878	6,494

Methodology

The AreaVibes list of the safest cities in South Carolina is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reporting program (UCR Program) from their most recent release. To compile this list, we used violent crime (assualt, robbery, rape and murder) and property crime data (burglary, theft, vehicle theft) per 100,000 people and only included South Carolina cities with a population of 5,000 or more. Displaying crime rates based on a population of 100,000 allows for an equal comparison for each city.

Map of Crime by State

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The interactive map above is a powerful tool for discovering the safest cities in each state across the USA. By highlighting states with the lowest total crime rates, this map provides valuable insights into the factors contributing to these statistics. It showcases urban centers with thriving economies, regions boasting solid job markets, and areas with low unemployment, all of which correlate with reduced crime rates. By clicking on each state, you can dive deeper into information about their safest cities and explore detailed crime statistics that paint a clearer picture of safety across the nation.