F
97%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
3%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
116%
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 peopleGaffney/100k peopleSouth Carolina/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime563n/a (estimate)4,5812,8002,324
Murder1n/a8.111.26.3
Rape9n/a73.238.240.0
Robbery3n/a24.440.666.1
Assault31n/a252.2401.3268.2
Violent crime44n/a (estimate)358491370
Burglary60n/a488.2352.7269.8
Theft407n/a3,311.41,706.31,401.9
Vehicle theft52n/a423.1249.2282.7
Property crime519n/a (estimate)4,2232,3081,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Gaffney, 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 Gaffney is 97.1% higher than the national average. Specifically, there were 44 violent crimes reported in Gaffney, equivalent to 358 per 100,000 residents, which is lower than the national average by 3.2%. Additionally, Gaffney recorded 519 property crimes, amounting to 4223 per 100,000 people, higher than the national average by 116.1%.

With a crime rate of 4581 per 100,000 residents, Gaffney has a crime rate that is 97.08% higher than the national average. This results in one of the highest total crime rates in the entire country. This does not necessarily mean that the entire city is unsafe. As with any area, there are some pockets in Gaffney that are much safer than others. A little research will go a long way in determining which areas could potentially offer a safer living environment.

When it comes to violent crimes per 100,000 people, Gaffney maintains a rate that is very similar to the national average. With 358 reported violent crimes, it falls in line with the national average of 370. This alignment suggests that Gaffney shares a similar crime profile with other cities, highlighting its comparable level of safety within the broader urban landscape.

Gaffney faces some of the nation's most elevated property crime rates, recording 4223 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 Gaffney stands at 1 in 24, 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.

The surge in vehicle thefts is a concerning trend across the United States, and Gaffney is no exception, experiencing one of the nation's highest vehicle theft rates. Last year, Gaffney reported a total of 52 vehicle thefts, resulting in 423 stolen vehicles per 100,000 people. This places the city in the lowest 10% tier among all cities, indicating that 90% of cities have less stolen vehicles. The probability of a vehicle being stolen stands at 1 in 237, underscoring the need for heightened vigilance and security measures.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Gaffney?

AreaVibes has conducted polls asking local residents if they feel safe living in Gaffney. Based on the results of the surveys (41 responses), 32% of people felt that there was very little crime in Gaffney and felt safe walking alone at night. While 68% of people felt that it was not a safe place to live and did not feel safe walking alone at night.

Is Gaffney a Safe Place to Live?

Is Gaffney 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, Gaffney has a crime rate that is higher than the national average by 97%. Breaking this down on a daily basis, it translates to 1.54 daily incidents, encompassing 0.12 violent crimes and 1.42 property crimes. Evaluating these statistics can aid in forming a more informed perspective on the safety of Gaffney as a potential place to call home.

Has Crime in Gaffney Increased Since Last Year?

Year-over-year crime rates in Gaffney has decreased by 32.6% in the last reported crime report. Comparing crime rates from one year to another offers some insight into whether or not Gaffney 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 56.9%, while property crime has decreased by 29.2%. This analysis equips individuals with crucial information for making informed decisions about living in Gaffney.

Potential Causes for Crime in Gaffney

The level of education within a community can impact crime rates. Higher educational attainment often correlates with lower crime rates, as it provides individuals with better job opportunities and alternatives to criminal behavior. While lower educational achievement rates tend to lead to higher crime rates. In Gaffney, 74.7% of people have completed high school, while 83% of people have completed high school nationally.

Escalating cost of living expenses, encompassing exorbitant housing costs, grocery and healthcare expenditures, can induce financial strain on individuals and families, particularly those with limited financial resources. Such economic stress may propel individuals towards criminal activities, 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 Gaffney, the cost of living is 14.5% lower than the national average, reflecting a more affordable economic environment that could contribute to a decrease in crime levels.

In Gaffney, the median home price stands at $104,900, diverging from the national average of $184,700. Elevated housing costs often induce financial strain among residents. When individuals grapple with the challenges of affording housing, they may find themselves compelled to resort to criminal activities as a means of addressing their financial hardships, including acts like theft or fraud. This predicament is particularly pronounced in areas where housing affordability poses a persistent issue, giving rise to heightened concerns regarding crime. In such instances, some individuals and families may find themselves constrained to reside in cramped or subpar housing conditions, exacerbating stress levels and potentially fostering domestic disputes and associated criminal incidents.

Gaffney crime map



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

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      Crime Quick Facts

      • Gaffney crime rates are 97% higher than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Gaffney are 3% lower than the national average
      • In Gaffney you have a 1 in 22 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Gaffney is safer than 15% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Gaffney has decreased by 31%

      Gaffney, SC Crime Quiz

         

        Safest Places to Live in and Around Gaffney

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        Daily Crime In Gaffney (per 100,000 people)

        The above illustration depicts the number of crimes committed daily in Gaffney, per 100,000 residents. In Gaffney, the total number of daily crimes is 1.64 times more than the South Carolina average and 1.97 times more than the national average. Violent daily crime statistics in Gaffney are 1.37 times less than the South Carolina average and 1.03 times less than the national average. For property crime, Gaffney has a daily crime rate that is 1.83 times more than the South Carolina average and 2.16 times more than the daily national average.

        How Safe is Gaffney (higher is better)

        Compared to the other cities in South Carolina and all other cities across the US, is Gaffney safe? From the gauges displayed above, you will notice that Gaffney is safer than 50% of other cities in the state of South Carolina. In addition, Gaffney is safer than 15% 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 Gaffney. By studying this data, it was possible to determine that Gaffney is below average in safety when compared with other United States cities.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Gaffney

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Gaffney is 1 in 280
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Gaffney is 1 in 24
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Gaffney is 1 in 22
        Interested in knowing the odds that you will be a crime victim in Gaffney? In Gaffney, you have a 1 in 280 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 24. These crimes include theft, vehicle theft, and burglary. Your overall chance of being a victim of crime in Gaffney, SC is 1 in 22.

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

        The year over year crime rate per 100,000 people for Gaffney is an accurate tool for tracking the rise and fall of crime, and in determining if living in Gaffney has become safer or more dangerous. The year over year data displayed in the graph shows that violent crimes have decreased by 56% in Gaffney, while property crimes in Gaffney have decreased by 28%. Total crime has decreased by 31% year over year.

        Gaffney police department

        Item Gaffney South Carolina National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)465,812558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents3.75.13.3
        There are a total of 46 Gaffney police officers. This results in 3.7 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 27.8% less than the South Carolina average and 12.5% 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
        Mayo, SC1,7702341,1021,336
        Pacolet, SC2,4184211,0531,474
        Boiling Springs, NC4,5803031,5451,849
        East Gaffney, SC3,0433551,6702,025
        Blacksburg, SC2,1013712,4392,810
        Cowpens, SC1,9441902,8523,042
        Cliffside, NC7075202,6523,173
        Gaffney, SC12,7333584,2234,581

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        College, AK12,7347481,7642,513
        Windsor Locks, CT12,732561,2881,344
        Port Neches, TX12,7292869701,256
        Commerce, CA12,7381,55313,86315,415
        Franklin Park, NJ12,7382121,4831,695
        Gaffney, SC12,7333584,2234,581
        Source: The Gaffney, 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.