| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Charleston/100k people | South Carolina/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 3,733 | n/a (estimate) | 2,379 | 2,403 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 7 | n/a | 4.5 | 7.5 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 44 | n/a | 28.0 | 37.1 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 67 | n/a | 42.7 | 35.1 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 443 | n/a | 282.3 | 357.1 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 561 | n/a (estimate) | 358 | 437 | 359 |
| Burglary | 219 | n/a | 139.6 | 282.4 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 2,599 | n/a | 1,656.5 | 1,468.2 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 354 | n/a | 225.6 | 215.1 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 3,172 | n/a (estimate) | 2,022 | 1,966 | 1,760 |
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 Charleston is 12.3% higher than the national average. Specifically, there were 561 violent crimes reported in Charleston, equivalent to 358 per 100,000 residents, which is lower than the national average by 0.4%. Additionally, Charleston recorded 3172 property crimes, amounting to 2022 per 100,000 people, higher than the national average by 14.9%.
In terms of the total Charleston crime rate per 100,000 people, it falls within the midrange when compared to other cities across the United States. Our analysis of total crimes, encompassing both violent and property offenses in Charleston, revealed that the reported crime rates closely align with the nationwide average reported by other areas.
The violent crime rate per 100,000 people in Charleston is very close to the national average of all cities that reported crime. Charleston reported 358 violent crimes, while the average of all cities was 359.
Charleston has a property crime rate that closely mirrors the national average. There were a total of 2022 property crimes in Charleston, while the national average was 1760 per 100,000 people. This results in the area being no safer or more dangerous than the average city.
AreaVibes has conducted polls asking local residents if they feel safe living in Charleston. Based on the results of the surveys (89 responses), 57% of people felt that there was very little crime in Charleston and felt safe walking alone at night. While 43% of people felt that it was not a safe place to live and did not feel safe walking alone at night.
Is Charleston 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, Charleston has a crime rate that is higher than the national average by 12%. Breaking this down on a daily basis, it translates to 10.23 daily incidents, encompassing 1.54 violent crimes and 8.69 property crimes. Evaluating these statistics can aid in forming a more informed perspective on the safety of Charleston as a potential place to call home.
Year-over-year crime data allows residents and potential residents to assess the crime in Charleston. A decrease in crime rates may indicate improving safety, while an increase could raise concerns. The year-over-year crime rate in Charleston has decreased by 1.5%. Violent crimes have decreased by 9.2%, while property crimes have decreased by 0%. By comparing crime rates from one year to the next, authorities and communities can identify trends and patterns in criminal activity. This helps in understanding whether crime is increasing, decreasing, or remaining stable over time.
The economic well-being of a city's residents plays a significant role in crime rates. High poverty rates and income inequality can lead to increased crime stats as individuals may resort to illegal activities to meet their basic needs. While lower rates could lead to a lower Charleston crime rate. The poverty level in Charleston is 12.6%, while the national average is 15.1%.
Charleston has a population density of 1306.4 people per square mile, contrasting with the national average of 90.6 people per square mile. High population density cities are often large urban hubs teeming with diverse economic opportunities. Within these environments, income disparities can become pronounced, leading to higher poverty levels. This economic divide may contribute to an uptick in property crimes and, occasionally, violent crimes. In contrast, areas characterized by low population density typically exhibit lower Charleston crime rates.
Charleston has an average rental rate of $2,006 per month, compared to the national average of $1,444. 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.
| Item | Charleston | South Carolina | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 523 | 5,812 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 4.2 | 5.1 | 3.3 |
| State | Total offenders | South Carolina /100K | National /100K |
| South Carolina | 15,193 | 377 | 266 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Kiawah Island, SC | 1,832 | 61 | 276 | 337 |
| Seabrook Island, SC | 1,864 | 61 | 276 | 337 |
| James Island, SC | 12,534 | 166 | 749 | 915 |
| Sullivan's Island, SC | 2,226 | 0 | 1,140 | 1,140 |
| Mount Pleasant, SC | 91,527 | 128 | 1,172 | 1,300 |
| Isle of Palms, SC | 4,493 | 137 | 1,325 | 1,462 |
| Hanahan, SC | 26,450 | 225 | 1,419 | 1,644 |
| Charleston, SC | 142,427 | 358 | 2,022 | 2,379 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Carrollton, TX | 142,475 | 137 | 1,316 | 1,453 |
| Surprise, AZ | 142,589 | 109 | 876 | 985 |
| Waco, TX | 142,208 | 426 | 2,126 | 2,552 |
| Metairie, LA | 141,877 | 253 | 1,117 | 1,370 |
| Roseville, CA | 143,208 | 219 | 1,420 | 1,640 |
| Charleston, SC | 142,427 | 358 | 2,022 | 2,379 |
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