D+
45%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
11%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
56%
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 peopleBeaufort/100k peopleSouth Carolina/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime439n/a (estimate)3,3762,8002,324
Murder0n/a0.011.26.3
Rape3n/a23.138.240.0
Robbery6n/a46.140.666.1
Assault34n/a261.5401.3268.2
Violent crime43n/a (estimate)331491370
Burglary39n/a299.9352.7269.8
Theft344n/a2,645.51,706.31,401.9
Vehicle theft13n/a100.0249.2282.7
Property crime396n/a (estimate)3,0452,3081,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Beaufort, SC

When we analyze the latest crime report, the Beaufort crime rate is 45.3% higher than the national average. These incidents are classified into two primary categories: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes include assault, robbery, rape and murder. Whereas property crimes encompass theft, vehicle theft and burglary. In the case of Beaufort, there were 43 reported violent crimes, equivalent to 331 per 100,000 individuals, 10.6% lower than the national average. Additionally, Beaufort recorded 396 property crimes, amounting to 3045 per 100,000 residents, 55.8% higher than the U.S. average.

When it comes to violent crimes per 100,000 people, Beaufort maintains a rate that is very similar to the national average. With 331 reported violent crimes, it falls in line with the national average of 370. This alignment suggests that Beaufort shares a similar crime profile with other cities, highlighting its comparable level of safety within the broader urban landscape.

In the most recently reported crime year, Beaufort registered zero reported homicides. This statistic not only designates the area as an exemplar of security but also emanates a profound sense of safety within its community. A minimal incidence of severe violent crime not only fosters a strong sense of well-being among residents but also sets a commendable standard for other regions aiming to cultivate similarly safe surroundings.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Beaufort?

What do the local residents think about crime in Beaufort? Well, based on a recent survey of 70 people (conducted by AreaVibes), 36% of Beaufort residents said that there was virtually no crime and that they felt safe walking at night. Another 64% of respondents said that there was too much crime in the area and they did not feel safe walking alone at night.

Is Beaufort a Safe Place to Live?

Determining whether Beaufort 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, Beaufort has an overall crime rate that is 45% higher than the national average. When we take a look at crime on a daily basis, this translates into 1.2 daily occurrences, comprising 0.12 violent crimes and 1.08 property crimes. Scrutinizing these statistics provides a foundation for a more informed assessment of the suitability of Beaufort as a potential place to establish residency.

Has Crime in Beaufort Increased Since Last Year?

Examining year-over-year crime data provides insights into short-term trends with regards to the crime activity in Beaufort. 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 Beaufort has decreased by 15.6%. Specifically, violent crime has decreased by 10.4%, while property crime has decreased by 16.1%. This data empowers individuals with a clearer understanding of the evolving safety landscape in Beaufort.

Potential Causes for Crime in Beaufort

Beaufort has a poverty rate of 18.9, while the national average is 15.1. In the past, there has been a direct correlation between high or low poverty rates and high or low crime stats. Elevated poverty levels and income disparities can contribute to heightened criminal activity, as individuals may resort to unlawful means to address their fundamental necessities. While lower poverty levels have led to a reduction in typical crime levels compared to other areas.

Beaufort reports an unemployment rate of 1.7%, contrasting with the national average of 4.7%. Constrained employment opportunities or a prevalence of low-paying positions can contribute to elevated rates of unemployment and underemployment. Areas where individuals contend with joblessness or insufficient wages may display heightened susceptibility to an increase in criminal activities attributed to economic insecurity. Conversely, regions characterized by robust employment rates often witness a decrease in overall Beaufort crime rates.

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 Beaufort, the cost of living is 2.24% higher than the national average, reflecting a more affordable economic environment that could contribute to a decrease in crime levels.

Beaufort crime map



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

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      Crime Quick Facts

      • Beaufort crime rates are 45% higher than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Beaufort are 11% lower than the national average
      • In Beaufort you have a 1 in 30 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Beaufort is safer than 23% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Beaufort has decreased by 14%

      Beaufort, SC Crime Quiz

         

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        Daily Crime In Beaufort (per 100,000 people)

        The number of daily crimes per 100,000 residents in Beaufort, South Carolina is displayed in the graph above. As you can see, the daily crimes for Beaufort are 1.21 times more than the South Carolina average and 1.45 times more than the national level. Daily violent crimes in Beaufort are 1.49 times less than than South Carolina and 1.12 times less than the national mean. While daily property crimes in Beaufort are 1.32 times more than than South Carolina and 1.56 times more than the national average.

        How Safe is Beaufort (higher is better)

        Compared to the other cities in South Carolina and all other cities across the US, is Beaufort safe? From the gauges displayed above, you will notice that Beaufort is safer than 57% of other cities in the state of South Carolina. In addition, Beaufort is safer than 23% 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 Beaufort. By studying this data, it was possible to determine that Beaufort is below average in safety when compared with other United States cities.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Beaufort

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Beaufort is 1 in 303
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Beaufort is 1 in 33
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Beaufort is 1 in 30
        How likely are you to become a victim of crime? In Beaufort, South Carolina you have a 1 in 303 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 33 chance of becoming a victim. Property crimes include burglary, theft and vehicle theft. Overall, you have a 1 in 30 chance of becoming a victim of crime in Beaufort.

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

        A good indicator of whether Beaufort is becoming a safer or a more dangerous place to live can be determined by analyzing the year over year crime rate (per 100,000 people). The number of violent crimes in Beaufort has decreased by 8%, while the property crime rate in Beaufort has decreased by 14% year over year. The number of total crimes in Beaufort has decreased by 14% year over year.

        Beaufort police department

        Item Beaufort South Carolina National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)485,812558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents3.85.13.3
        There are a total of 48 Beaufort police officers. This results in 3.8 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 25.1% less than the South Carolina average and 16.7% 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
        Bluffton, SC23,17669585654
        Shell Point, SC2,9911878781,065
        Port Royal, SC13,2652611,2511,512
        Burton, SC8,7794752,2312,706
        Laurel Bay, SC6,3885052,3762,881
        Beaufort, SC13,4173313,0453,376

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Brainerd, MN13,4235072,3202,827
        Washington, PA13,4043661,9382,304
        Lyndhurst, OH13,4311171,0091,126
        Beach Park, IL13,4332991,7532,052
        Whitehall, PA13,4372781,4701,748
        Beaufort, SC13,4173313,0453,376
        Source: The Beaufort, 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.