| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | North Charleston/100k people | South Carolina/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 5,887 | n/a (estimate) | 4,766 | 2,403 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 21 | n/a | 17.0 | 7.5 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 75 | n/a | 60.7 | 37.1 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 189 | n/a | 153.0 | 35.1 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 716 | n/a | 579.7 | 357.1 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 1,001 | n/a (estimate) | 810 | 437 | 359 |
| Burglary | 400 | n/a | 323.9 | 282.4 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 3,836 | n/a | 3,105.8 | 1,468.2 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 650 | n/a | 526.3 | 215.1 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 4,886 | n/a (estimate) | 3,956 | 1,966 | 1,760 |
The North Charleston crime rates are 124.9% 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 1001 violent crimes in North Charleston (810 per 100,000 people), which is 125.7% higher than the national average and there were a total of 4886 property crimes (3956 per 100,000 residents) which is 124.8% higher than average.
With a total of 4766 crimes per 100,000 people, the North Charleston crime rates stand at 124.91 higher than the national average. Consequently, the area grapples with one of the nation's highest total crime rates. Addressing this challenge is crucial for enhancing the safety and livability in North Charleston, making it a priority to reduce crime through community engagement, effective law enforcement, and collaborative efforts to secure a better future for residents and prospective residents.
With a violent crime rate of 810 crimes per 100,000 residents, North Charleston is known as one of the most dangerous cities in the United States. In fact, North Charleston ranks in the bottom 10% of all cities that reported violent crime last year. This translates into a 1 in 124 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 generally declined since 1990, recent years have seen an unfortunate uptick. North Charleston stands out with one of the nation's highest murder rates among cities reporting crime data. In North Charleston, a total of 21 murders were reported, equating to 17 murders per 100,000 residents. This statistic underscores the challenges facing the area in terms of severe violent crime and the importance of ongoing efforts to enhance safety and security within the community.
With a property crime rate of 3956 crimes per 100,000 people, North Charleston unfortunately has the distinction of being among the bottom 10% of all U.S. cities reporting crime. The likelihood of falling victim to property crime in North Charleston is alarmingly high, estimated at 1 in 26, significantly surpassing the national average. This data emphasizes the city's pressing need for concerted efforts to address and reduce property crime, ensuring a safer environment for its residents.
The occurrence of vehicle thefts has been increasing nationwide, and North Charleston faces one of the highest vehicle theft rates in the United States. In the latest reported crime year, there were a reported 650 vehicle thefts, translating to 526 stolen vehicles per 100,000 residents. This places North Charleston in the bottom 10% among all cities, signifying that 90% of cities have less stolen vehicles. The likelihood of experiencing a vehicle theft is 1 in 191.
AreaVibes surveyed 110 local residents in North Charleston to gauge the safety of the area. Based on the results, 11% of people answered that there was very little crime in North Charleston and that they felt very comfortable walking alone at night. Another 89% of people responded that there was far too much crime and they would be hesitant to walk the streets alone at night. Keep in mind that the opinions of residents may vary depending on which area they live in.
To get a feel for the safety of living in North Charleston, it's essential to analyze both the overall crime rate and the daily incident count. North Charleston presents a total crime rate that is 125% higher than the national average per 100,000 residents. Consequently, North Charleston experiences an average of 16.13 daily crimes, comprising 2.74 violent incidents and 13.39 property-related offenses. This evaluation offers a comprehensive understanding of the safety landscape, aiding individuals in making informed decisions when considering relocation.
In the most recent crime report, year-over-year crime rates in North Charleston has decreased by 19.3%. Examining the change in crime rates from one year to the next provides valuable insights into the evolving safety landscape of North Charleston, aiding residents in assessing whether it is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live. These crime rates are categorized into two primary groups: violent and property crimes. Year-over-year, violent crime has decreased by 18.4%, while property crime has decreased by 19.5%. This comprehensive analysis offers potential residents essential information for making informed decisions about whether or not North Charleston is a safe place to live.
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 North Charleston, 78.5% of people have completed high school, while 83% of people have completed high school nationally.
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 North Charleston is $332,704, compared to a national average of $326,622.
North Charleston has an average rental rate of $1,661 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 | North Charleston | South Carolina | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 395 | 5,812 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 3.9 | 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 |
| Ravenel, SC | 2,749 | 126 | 569 | 695 |
| James Island, SC | 12,534 | 166 | 749 | 915 |
| Lincolnville, SC | 2,508 | 192 | 864 | 1,056 |
| 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 |
| North Charleston, SC | 117,218 | 810 | 3,956 | 4,766 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Murrieta, CA | 117,330 | 184 | 944 | 1,127 |
| Carlsbad, CA | 117,067 | 199 | 1,511 | 1,710 |
| Costa Mesa, CA | 117,376 | 738 | 2,837 | 3,574 |
| Clovis, CA | 117,046 | 245 | 1,666 | 1,910 |
| Springfield, IL | 117,426 | 901 | 4,911 | 5,813 |
| North Charleston, SC | 117,218 | 810 | 3,956 | 4,766 |
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