F
137%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
594%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
51%
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 peopleChester/100k peopleSouth Carolina/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime288n/a (estimate)5,5152,8002,324
Murder2n/a38.311.26.3
Rape5n/a95.738.240.0
Robbery2n/a38.340.666.1
Assault125n/a2,393.7401.3268.2
Violent crime134n/a (estimate)2,566491370
Burglary37n/a708.5352.7269.8
Theft107n/a2,049.01,706.31,401.9
Vehicle theft10n/a191.5249.2282.7
Property crime154n/a (estimate)2,9492,3081,954

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 137% higher than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Chester are 594% higher than the national average
      • In Chester you have a 1 in 19 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Chester is safer than 3% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Chester has increased by 13%

      Chester, SC Crime Quiz

         

        Safest Places to Live in and Around Chester

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        How would you rate the amount of crime in Chester?
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        Do you feel safe walking alone at night in Chester?
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        Daily Crime In Chester (per 100,000 people)

        The chart above shows the number of daily crimes in Chester, SC per 100,000 people. In Chester, the number of daily crimes is projected to be 1.97 times more than the South Carolina average and 2.37 times more than the national average. The average number of daily violent crimes in Chester is 5.22 times more than the South Carolina average and 6.94 times more than the daily national average. With regards to property crimes, Chester has a daily crime rate that is 1.28 times more than the South Carolina average and 1.51 times more than the overall daily national average.

        How Safe is Chester (higher is better)

        What are the odds that you'll be safer in Chester, South Carolina compared to other areas of South Carolina, as well as the rest of America? When it comes down to it, is Chester safe? In the graphs above, it shows that Chester is safer than 20% of South Carolina cities, and 3% compared to all other cities across America. These statistics are calculated by taking a closer look at each city's crime rate in South Carolina, as well as the rest of the US. It is then determined which cities see less crime than Chester. At this time, Chester sees a below average rate of crime in comparison to other United States cities.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Chester

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Chester is 1 in 39
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Chester is 1 in 34
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Chester is 1 in 19
        Are you at risk of becoming a victim of crime in Chester, South Carolina? If you reside in Chester, then there is a 1 in 39 chance that you will experience a violent crime. These types of crimes may include homicide, sexual assault, robbery, and physical assault. Your risk of being a victim of property crime is 1 in 34. These types of crime include burglary, petty theft, and theft of motor vehicles. Altogether, there is a 1 in 19 risk that you will become a victim of crime in Chester.

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

        An analysis of year to year crime rates in Chester, 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 Chester has increased by 111%, the amount of property crime in Chester has decreased by 19%, and the total amount of crime in Chester has increased by 13% year over year.

        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, SC2,1212441,1461,390
        McConnells, SC2934802,2552,734
        Lowrys, SC2475652,6583,223
        Richburg, SC3497233,4004,124
        Carlisle, SC5717933,7304,523
        Lockhart, SC4277933,7304,523
        Gayle Mill, SC8327933,7304,523
        Chester, SC5,3922,5662,9495,515

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Pinckneyville, IL5,3913572,0962,453
        Fruitland, ID5,390117704821
        Cavalero, WA5,3952792,4892,767
        Sinton, TX5,3894111,8562,267
        Pearl Beach, MI5,39581270351
        Chester, SC5,3922,5662,9495,515
        Source: The Chester, 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.