| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Hartsville/100k people | South Carolina/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 487 | n/a (estimate) | 6,591 | 2,403 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 1 | n/a | 13.5 | 7.5 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 5 | n/a | 67.7 | 37.1 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 10 | n/a | 135.3 | 35.1 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 113 | n/a | 1,529.3 | 357.1 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 129 | n/a (estimate) | 1,746 | 437 | 359 |
| Burglary | 33 | n/a | 446.6 | 282.4 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 289 | n/a | 3,911.2 | 1,468.2 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 36 | n/a | 487.2 | 215.1 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 358 | n/a (estimate) | 4,845 | 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 Hartsville is 211% higher than the national average. Specifically, there were 129 violent crimes reported in Hartsville, equivalent to 1746 per 100,000 residents, which is higher than the national average by 386.2%. Additionally, Hartsville recorded 358 property crimes, amounting to 4845 per 100,000 people, higher than the national average by 175.3%.
Having a crime rate of 6591 per 100,000 residents, Hartsville experiences a crime rate that is 211.01% 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, Hartsville 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.
With a violent crime rate of 1746 crimes per 100,000 residents, Hartsville is known as one of the most dangerous cities in the United States. In fact, Hartsville ranks in the bottom 10% of all cities that reported violent crime last year. This translates into a 1 in 58 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime. Keep in mind that some areas will be safer than others and this doesn't necessarily mean that the entire city suffers from a high violent crime rate.
While murder rates in the United States have shown a consistent decline since 1990, recent years have witnessed an increase. Unfortunately, Hartsville ranks among the cities with the highest murder rates in the nation, when compared to all reporting cities in the U.S. In Hartsville, there were a total of 1 murders, translating to 14 murders per 100,000 residents. This alarming statistic underscores the need for heightened attention to community safety and crime prevention efforts in the area.
Hartsville reports one of the nation's highest property crime rates, with 4845 incidents per 100,000 people, positioning it among the worst 10% of American cities reporting crime. This unfortunate statistic translates to a 1 in 21 chance of falling victim to property crime in Hartsville, significantly surpassing the national average. These figures underscore the city's challenges in combating property-related offenses, necessitating a concerted effort to enhance security and community safety.
With a total of 36 vehicle thefts last year, Hartsville has one of the most stolen cars in the country at 487 per 100,000 people. This lands Hartsville in the bottom 10% of all cities that reported crime and the chance of any vehicle being stolen is one in 206.
AreaVibes conducted surveys inquiring about the safety perception of Hartsville residents. Out of the respondents (31 in total), 26% expressed a strong sense of security, believing that crime rates in Hartsville were low, and they felt comfortable walking alone at night. Conversely, 74% held a contrasting viewpoint, expressing concerns about safety in the area and feeling uncomfortable walking alone during the nighttime hours.
To determine if Hartsville is a safe place to live, let's take a look at the overall crime rate of the area, as well as the number of daily crimes. Hartsville has a total crime rate that is 211% higher than the national average per 100,000 residents. This results in a total of 1.33 daily crimes (0.35 violent daily crimes and 0.98 daily property crimes) in Hartsville.
Year-over-year crime rates in Hartsville has decreased by 7.9% in the last reported crime report. Comparing crime rates from one year to another offers some insight into whether or not Hartsville 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 increased by 19.4%, while property crime has decreased by 15%. This analysis equips individuals with crucial information for making informed decisions about living in Hartsville.
In Hartsville, the current unemployment rate stands at 3.9%, diverging from the national average of 4.9%. The availability of job opportunities is a pivotal factor influencing unemployment and underemployment rates. Communities where individuals contend with limited employment prospects or a preponderance of low-wage positions may witness elevated rates of joblessness and income inadequacy, which can contribute to heightened crime levels driven by financial insecurity. Conversely, areas characterized by robust employment rates often experience a reduction in overall Hartsville crime rates.
In cities grappling with housing affordability challenges, crime can emerge as a prominent issue. Certain individuals and families may find themselves needing to reside in cramped or subpar housing conditions, elevating stress levels and potentially fueling domestic conflicts and associated criminal incidents. Hartsville has a median home price of $236,041, deviating from the national average of $326,622. Large disparities in housing costs can significantly impact the well-being of residents and the prevalence of crime within the community.
Hartsville has an average rental rate of $1,009 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 | Hartsville | South Carolina | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 37 | 5,812 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 4.7 | 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 |
| McBee, SC | 1,011 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| North Hartsville, SC | 2,033 | 151 | 679 | 830 |
| Society Hill, SC | 504 | 0 | 1,869 | 1,869 |
| Patrick, SC | 332 | 646 | 2,904 | 3,550 |
| Lamar, SC | 1,156 | 0 | 4,052 | 4,052 |
| Bishopville, SC | 3,141 | 816 | 4,363 | 5,179 |
| Darlington, SC | 6,123 | 1,131 | 5,887 | 7,018 |
| Hartsville, SC | 7,799 | 1,746 | 4,845 | 6,591 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Port Jefferson Station, NY | 7,798 | 256 | 1,157 | 1,412 |
| Fairfax, CA | 7,797 | 109 | 964 | 1,073 |
| Kaufman, TX | 7,802 | 121 | 1,485 | 1,606 |
| Bernardsville, NJ | 7,804 | 37 | 599 | 636 |
| Lamar, CO | 7,804 | 0 | 522 | 522 |
| Hartsville, SC | 7,799 | 1,746 | 4,845 | 6,591 |