F
82%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
46%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
88%
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 peopleGreenville/100k peopleSouth Carolina/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime3,093n/a (estimate)4,2192,8002,324
Murder4n/a5.511.26.3
Rape24n/a32.738.240.0
Robbery55n/a75.040.666.1
Assault314n/a428.3401.3268.2
Violent crime397n/a (estimate)542491370
Burglary274n/a373.8352.7269.8
Theft2,156n/a2,940.91,706.31,401.9
Vehicle theft266n/a362.8249.2282.7
Property crime2,696n/a (estimate)3,6772,3081,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Greenville, 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 Greenville crime rate is higher than the national average by 81.5%. Specifically, there were 397 violent crimes in Greenville, equivalent to 542 per 100,000 individuals, higher than the national average by 46.4%. Furthermore, Greenville recorded 2696 property crimes, amounting to 3677 per 100,000 residents, which was higher than the average by 88.2%.

With a crime rate of 4219 per 100,000 residents, Greenville has a crime rate that is 81.53% 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 Greenville 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.

Every year, one in 28 people fall victim to a property crime in Greenville - which is high compared to the national average. With a property crime rate of 3677 per 100,000 people, Greenville has one of the highest property crime rates in the country. In fact, the city ranks among the worst 10% of all cities that reported crime last year.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Greenville?

What do the local residents think about crime in Greenville? Well, based on a recent survey of 149 people (conducted by AreaVibes), 47% of Greenville residents said that there was virtually no crime and that they felt safe walking at night. Another 53% of respondents said that there was too much crime in the area and they did not feel safe walking alone at night.

Is Greenville a Safe Place to Live?

Before you decide to relocate, it’s always good to ask yourself “Is Greenville a safe place to live?” Although the answer might not be that simple, as some areas are safer than others, getting a good feel for the overall rate of crime can definitely be helpful. Overall, the Greenville crime rate is 82% higher than the national average. If we break that down daily, that translates into 8.47 crimes per day - 1.09 violent crimes and 7.39 property crimes.

Has Crime in Greenville Increased Since Last Year?

Examining year-over-year crime data provides insights into short-term trends with regards to the crime activity in Greenville. This analysis involves comparing crime rates from one year to the next, enabling the identification of patterns and fluctuations in crime. Such information proves invaluable to residents seeking to make well-informed decisions about their choice of residence. In the most recent year, compared to the previous one, total crime in Greenville has decreased by 1.4%. Specifically, violent crime has decreased by 21.2%, while property crime has decreased by 2.4%. This data empowers individuals with a clearer understanding of the evolving safety landscape in Greenville.

Potential Causes for Crime in Greenville

In Greenville, the cost of living is 3.46% higher than the national average. A high cost of living can induce economic stress for locals, especially those with limited financial resources. When people grapple with soaring housing expenses, utility bills, healthcare costs, and other essential necessities, they may be driven towards criminal activities, including theft or fraud, as a means of financial survival. Conversely, cities boasting a lower cost of living may mitigate economic pressures and potentially result in reduced 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 Greenville, the ratio of police officers and civilians per 1,000 residents stands at 3.66, 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.

High rental costs can limit economic mobility, making it difficult for individuals to save money, invest in education, or access better job opportunities. This can perpetuate a cycle of poverty and increase the risk of involvement in criminal activities. In summary, high rental costs can create economic challenges, overcrowding, and neighborhood dynamics that may increase the likelihood of certain types of crime, particularly property crimes. In Greenville, the average rental rates are $1,013 per month, compared to the national average of $949.

Greenville crime map



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

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      Crime Quick Facts

      • Greenville crime rates are 82% higher than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Greenville are 46% higher than the national average
      • In Greenville you have a 1 in 24 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Greenville is safer than 11% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Greenville has decreased by 1%

      Greenville, SC Crime Quiz

         

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        Daily Crime In Greenville (per 100,000 people)

        The bar chart above reveals the rate of daily crimes in Greenville for every 100,000 residents. The Greenville total amount of daily crime is 1.51 times more than the South Carolina average and 1.82 times more than than that of the nation. As for violent crimes, the daily average in Greenville, is 1.10 times more than the South Carolina average, and it is 1.46 times more than the national average. The statistics for property crimes show that Greenville has a daily crime average that is 1.59 times more than the South Carolina average and 1.88 times more than the daily national rate.

        How Safe is Greenville (higher is better)

        What are the odds that you'll be safer in Greenville, South Carolina compared to other areas of South Carolina, as well as the rest of America? When it comes down to it, is Greenville safe? In the graphs above, it shows that Greenville is safer than 42% of South Carolina cities, and 11% 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 Greenville. At this time, Greenville sees a below average rate of crime in comparison to other United States cities.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Greenville

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Greenville is 1 in 185
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Greenville is 1 in 28
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Greenville is 1 in 24
        How likely are you to become a victim of crime? In Greenville, South Carolina you have a 1 in 185 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime. Violent crimes include murder, rape, robbery and assault. With regards to property crime, you have a 1 in 28 chance of becoming a victim. Property crimes include burglary, theft and vehicle theft. Overall, you have a 1 in 24 chance of becoming a victim of crime in Greenville.

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

        An ideal indicator of whether Greenville 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 Greenville has decreased by 21% and the rate of property crime in Greenville has increased by 3%. The total crime rate in Greenville has decreased by 1% year to year.

        Greenville police department

        Item Greenville South Carolina National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)2235,812558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents3.75.13.3
        There are a total of 223 Greenville 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
        Lyman, SC3,6292648231,087
        Five Forks, SC19,3992009421,142
        Arial, SC2,1582401,1301,371
        Pelzer, SC1,6532481,1671,415
        Slater-Marietta, SC2,0982611,2291,490
        City View, SC1,6072671,2531,520
        Golden Grove, SC3,4492751,2921,567
        Greenville, SC69,6485423,6774,219

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Glen Burnie, MD69,6495372,2062,743
        Marysville, WA69,6292541,7371,990
        Lynwood, CA69,6258012,5183,319
        Passaic, NJ69,7895432,0092,552
        Walnut Creek, CA69,8362301,0781,308
        Greenville, SC69,6485423,6774,219
        Source: The Greenville, 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.