A+
56%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
60%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
55%
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 peopleCharleston/100k peopleTennessee/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime7n/a (estimate)1,0322,9242,324
Murder0n/a0.08.66.3
Rape0n/a0.038.240.0
Robbery1n/a147.567.166.1
Assault0n/a0.0507.6268.2
Violent crime1n/a (estimate)147622370
Burglary3n/a442.5319.1269.8
Theft3n/a442.51,620.91,401.9
Vehicle theft0n/a0.0362.3282.7
Property crime6n/a (estimate)8852,3021,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Charleston, TN

The Charleston crime rates are 55.6% 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 1 violent crimes in Charleston (147 per 100,000 people), which is 60.1% lower than the national average and there were a total of 6 property crimes (885 per 100,000 residents) which is 54.7% lower than average.

In a remarkable testament to the city's commitment to safety, Charleston reported a murder rate of 0. This could indicate that it is a very safe place to live, but also serves as an inspiration to other urban areas striving for safer communities. Examining the full crime report will provide a complete overview of all crimes - violent and property.

The United States grapples with some of the world's most elevated vehicle theft rates, reaching around 300 vehicle thefts per 100,000 individuals. Remarkably, only a limited proportion, approximately 10%, of cities have been fortunate enough to remain unscathed by reports of stolen vehicles. In the most recent crime report, Charleston emerged as one such city, recording zero reported vehicle thefts, affirming its status as a secure and vigilant community.

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 56% lower than the national average. When we take a look at crime on a daily basis, this translates into 0.02 daily occurrences, comprising 0 violent crimes and 0.02 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.

Has Crime in Charleston Increased Since Last Year?

In the most recent crime report, year-over-year crime rates in Charleston has decreased by 36.4%. Examining the change in crime rates from one year to the next provides valuable insights into the evolving safety landscape of Charleston, aiding residents in assessing whether it is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live. These crime rates are categorized into two primary groups: violent and property crimes. Year-over-year, violent crime has didn't change by 0%, while property crime has decreased by 40%. This comprehensive analysis offers potential residents essential information for making informed decisions about whether or not Charleston is a safe place to live.

Potential Causes for Crime in Charleston

In Charleston, the current unemployment rate stands at 1.7%, diverging from the national average of 4.7%. The availability of job opportunities is a pivotal factor influencing unemployment and underemployment rates. Communities where individuals contend with limited employment prospects or a preponderance of low-wage positions may witness elevated rates of joblessness and income inadequacy, which can contribute to heightened crime levels driven by financial insecurity. Conversely, areas characterized by robust employment rates often experience a reduction in overall 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 4.52, 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.

In Charleston, the average rental rates are $685 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.

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, TN Crime

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      Crime Quick Facts

      • Charleston crime rates are 56% lower than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Charleston are 60% lower than the national average
      • In Charleston you have a 1 in 97 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Charleston is safer than 66% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Charleston has decreased by 33%

      Charleston, TN Crime Quiz

         

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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 678
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Charleston is 1 in 113
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Charleston is 1 in 97

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

        Charleston police department

        Item Charleston Tennessee National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)311,551558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents4.53.63.3
        There are a total of 3 Charleston police officers. This results in 4.5 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 26.5% greater than the Tennessee average and 39.2% greater than the National average.

        Sex offenders in Tennessee

        State Total offenders Tennessee /100K National /100K
        Tennessee24,578412266
        There are a total of 24,578 sex offenders in Tennessee. This yields a total of 412 sex offenders in Tennessee per 100,000 residents which is 55% 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
        Hopewell, TN2,051172637810
        East Cleveland, TN2,5573471,2831,630
        Wildwood Lake, TN3,6143481,2891,638
        Etowah, TN3,5054091,3631,772
        Dayton, TN7,3572372,1342,371
        Benton, TN1,2562662,3242,590
        South Cleveland, TN7,7926032,2332,836
        Charleston, TN6681478851,032

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Beach City, OH6684002,4262,826
        Pleasant Hope, MO6686813,2643,944
        Waynesfield, OH6683622,1932,554
        Howard, KS6686122,9383,550
        Blandinsville, IL6684152,4342,849
        Charleston, TN6681478851,032
        Source: The Charleston, TN 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.