| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Lake City/100k people | South Carolina/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 389 | n/a (estimate) | 6,552 | 2,403 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 1 | n/a | 16.8 | 7.5 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 3 | n/a | 50.5 | 37.1 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 4 | n/a | 67.4 | 35.1 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 99 | n/a | 1,667.5 | 357.1 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 107 | n/a (estimate) | 1,802 | 437 | 359 |
| Burglary | 51 | n/a | 859.0 | 282.4 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 207 | n/a | 3,486.6 | 1,468.2 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 24 | n/a | 404.2 | 215.1 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 282 | n/a (estimate) | 4,750 | 1,966 | 1,760 |
The Lake City crime rates are 209.2% 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 107 violent crimes in Lake City (1802 per 100,000 people), which is 401.9% higher than the national average and there were a total of 282 property crimes (4750 per 100,000 residents) which is 169.9% higher than average.
With a crime rate of 6552 per 100,000 residents, Lake City has a crime rate that is 209.18% 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 Lake City 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.
Lake City is one of the most dangerous cities in America with a violent crime rate of 1802 per 100,000 people - this ranks in the bottom 10% of all U.S. cities that reported crime. Your chance of being a victim of violent crime in Lake City is 1 in 56.
Although murder rates are essentially half of what they used to be 30+ years ago, some cities still struggle with higher rates than others. Lake City is one of those cities. In the last reported crime year, there were a total of 1 murders in Lake City, which equates to 17 murders per 100,000 people. This results in Lake City being a very dangerous place to live.
Lake City faces some of the nation's most elevated property crime rates, recording 4750 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 Lake City stands at 1 in 22, 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.
Vehicle thefts across all of America are on the rise and Lake City has one of the highest vehicle theft rates in the country. In the most recent crime report, Lake City reported 24 vehicle thefts, which equates to 404 stolen vehicles per 100,000 people. This falls in the bottom 10% of all cities, meaning that 90% of cities have better vehicle theft rates. The chance of having your vehicle stolen in Lake City is 1 in 248.
AreaVibes has conducted polls asking local residents if they feel safe living in Lake City. Based on the results of the surveys (7 responses), 29% of people felt that there was very little crime in Lake City and felt safe walking alone at night. While 71% of people felt that it was not a safe place to live and did not feel safe walking alone at night.
Before you decide to relocate, it’s always good to ask yourself “Is Lake City a safe place to live?” Although the answer might not be that simple, as some areas are safer than others, getting a good feel for the overall rate of crime can definitely be helpful. Overall, the Lake City crime rate is 209% higher than the national average. If we break that down daily, that translates into 1.07 crimes per day - 0.29 violent crimes and 0.77 property crimes.
Year-over-year crime data allows us to analyze short-term trends in crime activity. By comparing crime rates from one year to the next, we can identify patterns and shifts in Lake City crime rates. This information can be invaluable for residents looking to make informed decisions on where to live. When comparing the most recent year to the previous year, total crime in Lake City has decreased by 1.5% year over year. Violent crime has decreased by 4.5% and property crime has decreased by 0.4%.
The economic prosperity of a city's inhabitants exerts substantial influence on crime stats. Elevated poverty rates and income inequality can precipitate heightened criminal activity, as individuals may turn to illicit means to fulfill their fundamental requirements. While lower poverty rates could lead to lower Lake City crime rates. In Lake City, the poverty rate stands at 19.3%, diverging from the national average of 15.1%.
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 Lake City, the cost of living is 14.57% lower than the national average, reflecting a more affordable economic environment that could contribute to a decrease in crime levels.
In Lake City, the average rental rates are $1,139 per month, compared to the national average of $1,444. Rapid increases in rental costs can lead to neighborhood instability as residents are forced to move frequently in search of more affordable housing. This transience can weaken community bonds and hinder the establishment of social support networks, which can indirectly contribute to crime. While affordable rent and areas with higher income per capita, allow for long term renters and community bonds to the formed, therefore reducing crime rates on the long term.
| Item | Lake City | South Carolina | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 23 | 5,812 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 3.4 | 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 |
| Olanta, SC | 606 | 0 | 556 | 556 |
| Stuckey, SC | 358 | 403 | 1,814 | 2,217 |
| Pamplico, SC | 1,254 | 760 | 1,616 | 2,376 |
| Turbeville, SC | 1,028 | 510 | 2,296 | 2,806 |
| Coward, SC | 571 | 566 | 2,547 | 3,113 |
| Kingstree, SC | 3,164 | 1,192 | 7,580 | 8,772 |
| Lake City, SC | 6,803 | 1,802 | 4,750 | 6,552 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Eatonton, GA | 6,807 | 120 | 1,351 | 1,471 |
| Atlantic, IA | 6,807 | 369 | 1,992 | 2,361 |
| Sunnyvale, TX | 6,809 | 113 | 1,164 | 1,277 |
| Red Chute, LA | 6,809 | 393 | 1,736 | 2,129 |
| Talent, OR | 6,797 | 268 | 820 | 1,088 |
| Lake City, SC | 6,803 | 1,802 | 4,750 | 6,552 |
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