| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Darlington/100k people | South Carolina/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 422 | n/a (estimate) | 7,018 | 2,403 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 1 | n/a | 16.6 | 7.5 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 1 | n/a | 16.6 | 37.1 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 5 | n/a | 83.2 | 35.1 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 61 | n/a | 1,014.5 | 357.1 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 68 | n/a (estimate) | 1,131 | 437 | 359 |
| Burglary | 37 | n/a | 615.3 | 282.4 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 264 | n/a | 4,390.5 | 1,468.2 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 53 | n/a | 881.4 | 215.1 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 354 | n/a (estimate) | 5,887 | 1,966 | 1,760 |

The Darlington crime rates are 231.2% higher than the national average. There are two main categories of crime - violent crime and property crime. Violent crime consists of murder, rape, robbery and assault, while property crimes include burglary, theft and vehicle theft. There were a total of 68 violent crimes in Darlington (1131 per 100,000 people), which is 214.9% higher than the national average and there were a total of 354 property crimes (5887 per 100,000 residents) which is 234.5% higher than average.
Having a crime rate of 7018 per 100,000 residents, Darlington experiences a crime rate that is 231.17% higher when compared to the national average, leading to one of the highest overall crime rates in the nation. It's important to clarify that this doesn't imply the entire city is unsafe. Like any area, Darlington contains neighborhoods with varying safety levels and you can find areas that are notably safer than others, emphasizing the need for targeted crime prevention efforts and community engagement initiatives.
Darlington has gained notoriety as one of the most dangerous cities in the United States, given its alarming violent crime rate of 1131 crimes per 100,000 people. In fact, Darlington falls within the lowest 10% among cities reporting violent crimes last year, resulting in a concerning 1 in 89 likelihood of experiencing a violent crime. It's important to note that safety levels may vary across different areas within the city, and this statistic doesn't necessarily reflect the entire city's situation regarding violent crime.
While murder rates in the United States have shown a consistent decline since 1990, recent years have witnessed an increase. Unfortunately, Darlington ranks among the cities with the highest murder rates in the nation, when compared to all reporting cities in the U.S. In Darlington, there were a total of 1 murders, translating to 17 murders per 100,000 residents. This alarming statistic underscores the need for heightened attention to community safety and crime prevention efforts in the area.
Darlington faces some of the nation's most elevated property crime rates, recording 5887 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 Darlington stands at 1 in 17, 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.
With a total of 53 vehicle thefts last year, Darlington has one of the most stolen cars in the country at 881 per 100,000 people. This lands Darlington in the bottom 10% of all cities that reported crime and the chance of any vehicle being stolen is one in 114.
Is Darlington 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, Darlington has a crime rate that is higher than the national average by 231%. Breaking this down on a daily basis, it translates to 1.16 daily incidents, encompassing 0.19 violent crimes and 0.97 property crimes. Evaluating these statistics can aid in forming a more informed perspective on the safety of Darlington as a potential place to call home.
Year-over-year crime rates in Darlington has increased by 6% in the last reported crime report. Comparing crime rates from one year to another offers some insight into whether or not Darlington 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 18.1%, while property crime has increased by 12.4%. This analysis equips individuals with crucial information for making informed decisions about living in Darlington.
In Darlington, the poverty rate currently stands at 25.4%, which contrasts with the national average of 15.1%. It's essential to recognize that the economic status of a city's inhabitants could be a pivotal factor influencing crime stats. Communities grappling with high poverty rates and income inequality are often susceptible to elevated crime levels, as some individuals may turn to unlawful activities to fulfill their essential needs. While lower poverty rates could lead to a reduction in Darlington crime rates.
The educational level achieved in any given city can influence crime rates significantly. Greater educational achievement is frequently associated with decreased crime rates, as it offers individuals improved job prospects and alternatives to engaging in crime related activities. Conversely, lower educational attainment rates tend to coincide with elevated crime rates. In Darlington, 74.9% of residents have successfully graduated from high school, in contrast to the national average where 83% have achieved high school graduation.
In areas where housing affordability is an issue, crime can become a significant concern. Some individuals and families may be forced to live in overcrowded or substandard housing conditions, which can increase stress and potentially contribute to domestic disputes and related crimes. The median home price in Darlington is $223,543, compared to a national average of $326,622.
| Item | Darlington | South Carolina | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 28 | 5,812 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 4.4 | 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 |
| Quinby, SC | 1,103 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| North Hartsville, SC | 2,033 | 151 | 679 | 830 |
| Society Hill, SC | 504 | 0 | 1,869 | 1,869 |
| Timmonsville, SC | 2,540 | 570 | 2,232 | 2,802 |
| Blenheim, SC | 126 | 594 | 2,672 | 3,266 |
| Lamar, SC | 1,156 | 0 | 4,052 | 4,052 |
| Florence, SC | 39,448 | 807 | 3,918 | 4,725 |
| Darlington, SC | 6,123 | 1,131 | 5,887 | 7,018 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Roanoke, AL | 6,123 | 776 | 3,881 | 4,657 |
| Lebanon, KY | 6,121 | 152 | 970 | 1,122 |
| Sweetwater, TN | 6,125 | 343 | 1,374 | 1,717 |
| Columbia, MS | 6,125 | 212 | 1,374 | 1,585 |
| Gateway, AK | 6,126 | 466 | 1,100 | 1,566 |
| Darlington, SC | 6,123 | 1,131 | 5,887 | 7,018 |