F
256%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
159%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
274%
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 peopleWalterboro/100k peopleSouth Carolina/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime449n/a (estimate)8,2662,8002,324
Murder1n/a18.411.26.3
Rape2n/a36.838.240.0
Robbery5n/a92.040.666.1
Assault44n/a810.0401.3268.2
Violent crime52n/a (estimate)957491370
Burglary30n/a552.3352.7269.8
Theft348n/a6,406.51,706.31,401.9
Vehicle theft19n/a349.8249.2282.7
Property crime397n/a (estimate)7,3092,3081,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Walterboro, SC

Crime is typically categorized into two main types: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes encompass offenses such as murder, rape, robbery, and assault, while property crimes include burglary, theft, and vehicle theft. Based on the most recent report, the Walterboro crime rate is higher than the national average by 255.6%. Specifically, there were 52 violent crimes in Walterboro, equivalent to 957 per 100,000 individuals, higher than the national average by 158.9%. Furthermore, Walterboro recorded 397 property crimes, amounting to 7309 per 100,000 residents, which was higher than the average by 274%.

In Walterboro, the crime rate stands at 8266 per 100,000 residents, surpassing the national average by 255.64%. This places the city among those with some of the highest total crime rates nationwide. However, it's important to recognize that this doesn't imply that the entire city is unsafe. As with any urban area, there are neighborhoods in Walterboro that exhibit varying levels of safety, emphasizing the need for localized crime prevention efforts and community involvement to create a safe environment across the entire city.

With a violent crime rate of 957 crimes per 100,000 residents, Walterboro is known as one of the most dangerous cities in the United States. In fact, Walterboro ranks in the bottom 10% of all cities that reported violent crime last year. This translates into a 1 in 105 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime. Keep in mind that some areas will be safer than others and this doesn't necessarily mean that the entire city suffers from a high violent crime rate.

Although murder rates are essentially half of what they used to be 30+ years ago, some cities still struggle with higher rates than others. Walterboro is one of those cities. In the last reported crime year, there were a total of 1 murders in Walterboro, which equates to 18 murders per 100,000 people. This results in Walterboro being a very dangerous place to live.

Walterboro has some of the highest property crime rates in the country with 7309 crimes per 100,000 people - this ranks in the bottom 10% of all American cities that reported crime. Your chance of being a victim of property crime in Walterboro is 1 in 14, which is far higher than the national average.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Walterboro?

AreaVibes has conducted polls asking local residents if they feel safe living in Walterboro. Based on the results of the surveys (28 responses), 18% of people felt that there was very little crime in Walterboro and felt safe walking alone at night. While 82% of people felt that it was not a safe place to live and did not feel safe walking alone at night.

Is Walterboro a Safe Place to Live?

To get a feel for the safety of living in Walterboro, it's essential to analyze both the overall crime rate and the daily incident count. Walterboro presents a total crime rate that is 256% higher than the national average per 100,000 residents. Consequently, Walterboro experiences an average of 1.23 daily crimes, comprising 0.14 violent incidents and 1.09 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 Walterboro Increased Since Last Year?

Year-over-year crime rates in Walterboro has increased by 8.7% in the last reported crime report. Comparing crime rates from one year to another offers some insight into whether or not Walterboro 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 22.4%, while property crime has increased by 14.7%. This analysis equips individuals with crucial information for making informed decisions about living in Walterboro.

Potential Causes for Crime in Walterboro

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 Walterboro, the cost of living is 12.1% lower than the national average, reflecting a more affordable economic environment that could contribute to a decrease in crime levels.

Walterboro has a ratio of police officers and civilians per 1,000 residents that differs from the national norm, with 8.32 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.

Walterboro has an average rental rate of $592 per month, compared to the national average of $949. In areas with high rental costs, some individuals and families may be forced to live in overcrowded or substandard housing conditions. Overcrowding can lead to increased stress and tension, which may contribute to domestic disputes and related property or violent crimes. Addressing affordable housing and economic mobility can be important strategies for reducing crime in such areas.

Walterboro crime map



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

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      Crime Quick Facts

      • Walterboro crime rates are 256% higher than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Walterboro are 159% higher than the national average
      • In Walterboro you have a 1 in 13 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Walterboro is safer than 2% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Walterboro has increased by 6%

      Walterboro, SC Crime Quiz

         

        Safest Places to Live in and Around Walterboro

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        Daily Crime In Walterboro (per 100,000 people)

        The chart above shows the number of daily crimes in Walterboro, SC per 100,000 people. In Walterboro, the number of daily crimes is projected to be 2.95 times more than the South Carolina average and 3.56 times more than the national average. The average number of daily violent crimes in Walterboro is 1.95 times more than the South Carolina average and 2.59 times more than the daily national average. With regards to property crimes, Walterboro has a daily crime rate that is 3.17 times more than the South Carolina average and 3.74 times more than the overall daily national average.

        How Safe is Walterboro (higher is better)

        How safe is Walterboro, South Carolina compared to other cities in South Carolina and the rest of the cities across the United States? The graphs above show that Walterboro is safer than 11% of the cities in South Carolina and 2% of the cities in the United States. These results are calculated by analyzing all cities in South Carolina and across the US as a whole and determining how many areas have a lower crime rate than Walterboro. Overall, Walterboro is ranked below average compared to all other cities across the United States.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Walterboro

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Walterboro is 1 in 105
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Walterboro is 1 in 14
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Walterboro is 1 in 13
        Interested in knowing the odds that you will be a crime victim in Walterboro? In Walterboro, you have a 1 in 105 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 14. These crimes include theft, vehicle theft, and burglary. Your overall chance of being a victim of crime in Walterboro, SC is 1 in 13.

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

        An ideal indicator of whether Walterboro is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live can be done by analyzing the year over year crime rates per 100,000 people. Year over year violent crime in Walterboro has decreased by 24% and the rate of property crime in Walterboro has increased by 12%. The total crime rate in Walterboro has increased by 6% year to year.

        Walterboro police department

        Item Walterboro South Carolina National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)455,812558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents8.35.13.3
        There are a total of 45 Walterboro police officers. This results in 8.3 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 64.2% greater than the South Carolina average and 155.8% 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
        Williams, SC1945132,4142,927
        Smoaks, SC955462,5663,112
        Cottageville, SC1,0901433,7143,857
        Yemassee, SC8701,1313,2204,352
        Walterboro, SC5,4179577,3098,266

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        West Pleasant View, CO5,4173592,3002,659
        Starke, FL5,4152881,7402,027
        Algona, IA5,415342209552
        Davenport, FL5,42048654702
        Northwood, OH5,4202122,4472,659
        Walterboro, SC5,4179577,3098,266
        Source: The Walterboro, 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.