| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Gaffney/100k people | South Carolina/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 563 | n/a (estimate) | 4,581 | 2,800 | 2,324 |
| Murder | 1 | n/a | 8.1 | 11.2 | 6.3 |
| Rape | 9 | n/a | 73.2 | 38.2 | 40.0 |
| Robbery | 3 | n/a | 24.4 | 40.6 | 66.1 |
| Assault | 31 | n/a | 252.2 | 401.3 | 268.2 |
| Violent crime | 44 | n/a (estimate) | 358 | 491 | 370 |
| Burglary | 60 | n/a | 488.2 | 352.7 | 269.8 |
| Theft | 407 | n/a | 3,311.4 | 1,706.3 | 1,401.9 |
| Vehicle theft | 52 | n/a | 423.1 | 249.2 | 282.7 |
| Property crime | 519 | n/a (estimate) | 4,223 | 2,308 | 1,954 |
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 Gaffney is 97.1% higher than the national average. Specifically, there were 44 violent crimes reported in Gaffney, equivalent to 358 per 100,000 residents, which is lower than the national average by 3.2%. Additionally, Gaffney recorded 519 property crimes, amounting to 4223 per 100,000 people, higher than the national average by 116.1%.
With a crime rate of 4581 per 100,000 residents, Gaffney has a crime rate that is 97.08% 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 Gaffney 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.
When it comes to violent crimes per 100,000 people, Gaffney maintains a rate that is very similar to the national average. With 358 reported violent crimes, it falls in line with the national average of 370. This alignment suggests that Gaffney shares a similar crime profile with other cities, highlighting its comparable level of safety within the broader urban landscape.
Gaffney faces some of the nation's most elevated property crime rates, recording 4223 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 Gaffney stands at 1 in 24, 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.
The surge in vehicle thefts is a concerning trend across the United States, and Gaffney is no exception, experiencing one of the nation's highest vehicle theft rates. Last year, Gaffney reported a total of 52 vehicle thefts, resulting in 423 stolen vehicles per 100,000 people. This places the city in the lowest 10% tier among all cities, indicating that 90% of cities have less stolen vehicles. The probability of a vehicle being stolen stands at 1 in 237, underscoring the need for heightened vigilance and security measures.
AreaVibes has conducted polls asking local residents if they feel safe living in Gaffney. Based on the results of the surveys (41 responses), 32% of people felt that there was very little crime in Gaffney and felt safe walking alone at night. While 68% of people felt that it was not a safe place to live and did not feel safe walking alone at night.
Is Gaffney 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, Gaffney has a crime rate that is higher than the national average by 97%. Breaking this down on a daily basis, it translates to 1.54 daily incidents, encompassing 0.12 violent crimes and 1.42 property crimes. Evaluating these statistics can aid in forming a more informed perspective on the safety of Gaffney as a potential place to call home.
Year-over-year crime rates in Gaffney has decreased by 32.6% in the last reported crime report. Comparing crime rates from one year to another offers some insight into whether or not Gaffney 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 56.9%, while property crime has decreased by 29.2%. This analysis equips individuals with crucial information for making informed decisions about living in Gaffney.
The level of education within a community can impact crime rates. Higher educational attainment often correlates with lower crime rates, as it provides individuals with better job opportunities and alternatives to criminal behavior. While lower educational achievement rates tend to lead to higher crime rates. In Gaffney, 74.7% of people have completed high school, while 83% of people have completed high school nationally.
Escalating cost of living expenses, encompassing exorbitant housing costs, grocery and healthcare expenditures, can induce financial strain on individuals and families, particularly those with limited financial resources. Such economic stress may propel individuals towards criminal activities, 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 Gaffney, the cost of living is 14.5% lower than the national average, reflecting a more affordable economic environment that could contribute to a decrease in crime levels.
In Gaffney, the median home price stands at $104,900, diverging from the national average of $184,700. Elevated housing costs often induce financial strain among residents. When individuals grapple with the challenges of affording housing, they may find themselves compelled to resort to criminal activities as a means of addressing their financial hardships, including acts like theft or fraud. This predicament is particularly pronounced in areas where housing affordability poses a persistent issue, giving rise to heightened concerns regarding crime. In such instances, some individuals and families may find themselves constrained to reside in cramped or subpar housing conditions, exacerbating stress levels and potentially fostering domestic disputes and associated criminal incidents.
| Item | Gaffney | South Carolina | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 46 | 5,812 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 3.7 | 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 |
| Mayo, SC | 1,770 | 234 | 1,102 | 1,336 |
| Pacolet, SC | 2,418 | 421 | 1,053 | 1,474 |
| Boiling Springs, NC | 4,580 | 303 | 1,545 | 1,849 |
| East Gaffney, SC | 3,043 | 355 | 1,670 | 2,025 |
| Blacksburg, SC | 2,101 | 371 | 2,439 | 2,810 |
| Cowpens, SC | 1,944 | 190 | 2,852 | 3,042 |
| Cliffside, NC | 707 | 520 | 2,652 | 3,173 |
| Gaffney, SC | 12,733 | 358 | 4,223 | 4,581 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| College, AK | 12,734 | 748 | 1,764 | 2,513 |
| Windsor Locks, CT | 12,732 | 56 | 1,288 | 1,344 |
| Port Neches, TX | 12,729 | 286 | 970 | 1,256 |
| Franklin Park, NJ | 12,738 | 212 | 1,483 | 1,695 |
| Commerce, CA | 12,738 | 1,553 | 13,863 | 15,415 |
| Gaffney, SC | 12,733 | 358 | 4,223 | 4,581 |
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