Safest cities in South Carolina

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Known as the 'Palmetto State,' South Carolina is celebrated for its warm hospitality, historic charm, and scenic landscapes. Located in the southeastern United States, South Carolina offers a variety of terrains, including beautiful beaches, lush forests, and rolling hills. The state's economy is driven by industries such as tourism, manufacturing, agriculture, and technology. Charleston, the state's oldest city, is known for its well-preserved architecture, vibrant arts scene, and rich history. South Carolina is also home to numerous cultural attractions, including historic sites, museums, and music festivals, reflecting its diverse heritage and traditions.

Low crime rates are essential for maintaining a high quality of life, making the safest cities in South Carolina highly desirable. Safety fosters a sense of community and stability, allowing residents to thrive in a secure environment. Factors contributing to the safety of South Carolina's cities include strong law enforcement, active community policing, and engaged local governments. The safest cities are ranked based on total crime per 100,000 people, ensuring a transparent and reliable measure of safety. This emphasis on security allows residents to enjoy South Carolina's natural beauty, cultural richness, and economic opportunities without the overshadowing concern of crime, making it an attractive place to live and work.

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Tega Cay Population: 10,834 325 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 28 Property Crime / 100k: 297 chance of being a victim: 1 in 308

Tega Cay proudly holds the honor of being the safest city in South Carolina. With only 325 crimes per 100,000 people, Tega Cay has a crime rate that is 86% lower than the South Carolina average. This equates to an average of 0.13 crimes per day and a 1 in 308 chance of becoming a victim of a crime. The city's well-funded police department, active neighborhood watch programs, and community engagement initiatives contribute significantly to its low crime rates, making it an ideal place for families and retirees.

North Augusta Population: 23,370 444 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 34 Property Crime / 100k: 409 chance of being a victim: 1 in 225

Known for its tight-knight community and safe environment, North Augusta comes in at #2 on our list of the safest cities in South Carolina with a crime rate of 444 crimes per 100,000 people. When you dig deeper into the numbers, this translates to: 8 counts of burglary, 379 counts of theft, 23 counts of vehicle theft, 27 counts of assault, 4 counts of robbery, 4 counts of rape and 0 counts of homicide. The commitment to safety in North Augusta, makes it one of the safest and most livable areas in the state.

Fort Mill Population: 19,920 678 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 46 Property Crime / 100k: 632 chance of being a victim: 1 in 148

With a population of 19,920 and a total crime rate of 678 per 100,000 residents, Fort Mill is the 3rd safest city in South Carolina. Exhibiting a total crime rate that is 63% lower than the South Carolina average, the commitment to safety is evident in its multifaceted crime prevention strategies. The local government collaborates closely with residents through regular community meetings and feedback sessions to address safety concerns. The end result, is an incredibly safe place to live.

Bluffton Population: 23,176 944 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 119 Property Crime / 100k: 825 chance of being a victim: 1 in 106

With many parks and recreational activities readily available, Bluffton is a growing community where residents can enjoy the outdoors. Residents also feel safe, knowing that the overall crime rate per 100,000 people is 944, 62% lower than the South Carolina average. This amounts to 0.98 crimes per day and a 1 in 106 chance of becoming a victim of a crime. Strong community partnerships between local businesses, schools, and law enforcement further enhance the city’s security. These combined efforts make Bluffton a highly desirable and safe place to call home.

Fountain Inn Population: 10,127 1,057 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 79 Property Crime / 100k: 979 chance of being a victim: 1 in 95

Known for its friendly neighborhoods and proactive safety measures, Fountain Inn consistently ranks high in safety. In Fountain Inn, the focus on community policing ensures that officers are integrated into the community, building strong relationships with residents. Crime prevention education, offered through schools and local organizations, empowers residents to take an active role in maintaining their safety. With everything working asynchronously, the total crime rate comes in at 1,057, which is 86% lower than the state average.

Clover Population: 6,370 1,128 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 144 Property Crime / 100k: 984 chance of being a victim: 1 in 89

Clover has lots to offer its residents, including safety as it comes in at #6 on our list of the safest cities in South Carolina. The total crime rate from the year that it was last reported was 1,128 crimes per 100,000 people, 92% lower than the South Carolina average. Breaking down each category of crime, it comes out to: 118 reports of burglary, 748 reports of theft, 118 reports of vehicle theft, 131 reports of assault, 0 reports of robbery, 13 reports of rape and 0 reports of homicide.

Mount Pleasant Population: 89,410 1,300 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 128 Property Crime / 100k: 1,172 chance of being a victim: 1 in 77

Mount Pleasant ranks as the seventh safest city in South Carolina and offers a peaceful retreat with minimal crime. With a 1 in 77 chance of becoming a victim of a crime and 3.44 crimes per day (per 100,000 people), the area has a safety record that speaks for itself. Active involvement from its residents, such as neighborhood patrols and community safety workshops, fosters a strong sense of community and vigilance. Mount Pleasant’s commitment to safety makes it one of the safest places in South Carolina.

Central Population: 5,342 1,311 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 56 Property Crime / 100k: 1,255 chance of being a victim: 1 in 76

Recognized for sprawling open spaces, outdoor recreational opportunities, and a growing economy, Central is the 8th safest city in South Carolina. Continuously ranking as one of the safest cities in the state, the crime rate came in at 95% lower than the South Carolina average, reporting a total of 1,311 crimes per 100,000 people. The city places a strong emphasis on public safety through various initiatives that promote collaboration between residents and local authorities. Regular community safety events and lots of outdoor spaces, coupled with an accessible and responsive police force, ensure that residents feel safe and supported.

Port Royal Population: 13,265 1,353 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 130 Property Crime / 100k: 1,223 chance of being a victim: 1 in 74

Many safe cities implement comprehensive crime prevention programs that include educational initiatives, youth engagement activities, and public awareness campaigns. Port Royal is a great example of such a city and continually ranks as one of the safest communities in South Carolina, based on the annual review of the FBI uniform crime report. Statistically speaking, there were a total of 1,353 crimes per 100,000 residents, which is 83% lower than the state average.

Mauldin Population: 25,829 1,600 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 219 Property Crime / 100k: 1,381 chance of being a victim: 1 in 62

Completing the list as the 10th safest city in South Carolina, is Mauldin. With a low rate of crime that included 195 burglaries, 1,038 thefts, 147 vehicle thefts, 164 assaults, 27 robberies, 21 rapes and 7 homicides, the overall crime rate was 71% lower than the state average. Cities with engaged citizens and responsive government bodies are more likely to implement effective policies and practices that promote safety and address residents’ concerns.

Full list of the safest cities in South Carolina

Rank	Location	Population	Violent Crimes /100k	Property Crimes /100k	Total Crimes /100k
1	Tega Cay	10,834	28	297	325
2	North Augusta	23,370	34	409	444
3	Fort Mill	19,920	46	632	678
4	Bluffton	23,176	119	825	944
5	Fountain Inn	10,127	79	979	1,057
6	Clover	6,370	144	984	1,128
7	Mount Pleasant	89,410	128	1,172	1,300
8	Central	5,342	56	1,255	1,311
9	Port Royal	13,265	130	1,223	1,353
10	Mauldin	25,829	219	1,381	1,600
11	Hanahan	25,743	225	1,419	1,644
12	Hardeeville	6,788	160	1,507	1,667
13	Lexington	21,847	118	1,566	1,684
14	Abbeville	5,014	370	1,316	1,686
15	Goose Creek	42,944	256	1,465	1,722
16	Irmo	12,397	238	1,568	1,807
17	Summerville	53,643	222	1,768	1,990
18	Easley	21,149	239	1,796	2,035
19	Greer	32,229	344	1,728	2,072
20	Clemson	16,917	162	1,987	2,149
21	Seneca	8,424	615	1,724	2,339
22	Moncks Corner	11,370	336	2,022	2,358
23	Charleston	137,041	358	2,022	2,379
24	Conway	24,747	445	1,975	2,419
25	Travelers Rest	7,947	264	2,487	2,751
26	Rock Hill	74,410	441	2,348	2,789
27	Simpsonville	23,200	214	2,608	2,822
28	Cayce	13,964	734	2,781	3,515
29	Batesburg-Leesville	5,504	772	2,769	3,541
30	North Myrtle Beach	16,684	361	3,223	3,583
31	Forest Acres	10,300	291	3,405	3,696
32	Newberry	10,219	586	3,112	3,698
33	York	8,287	726	3,064	3,790
34	Greenwood	23,351	485	3,323	3,808
35	Laurens	8,863	928	3,001	3,930
36	Columbia	134,057	770	3,233	4,003
37	Greenville	69,648	644	3,468	4,113
38	Beaufort	13,417	696	3,573	4,269
39	Gaffney	12,733	226	4,178	4,404
40	Georgetown	8,884	850	3,604	4,454
41	Aiken	31,428	569	3,958	4,527
42	Bennettsville	7,905	995	3,561	4,557
43	Florence	38,535	807	3,918	4,725
44	North Charleston	113,880	810	3,956	4,766
45	Sumter	39,758	1,098	3,706	4,804
46	Camden	7,185	948	3,861	4,809
47	Chester	5,392	1,554	3,281	4,835
48	West Columbia	17,782	748	4,438	5,185
49	Clinton	8,347	1,279	4,029	5,308
50	Marion	6,598	882	5,308	6,190

Methodology

The AreaVibes list of the safest cities in South Carolina is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reporting program (UCR Program) from their most recent release. To compile this list, we used violent crime (assualt, robbery, rape and murder) and property crime data (burglary, theft, vehicle theft) per 100,000 people and only included South Carolina cities with a population of 5,000 or more. Displaying crime rates based on a population of 100,000 allows for an equal comparison for each city.

Map of Crime by State

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The interactive map above is a powerful tool for discovering the safest cities in each state across the USA. By highlighting states with the lowest total crime rates, this map provides valuable insights into the factors contributing to these statistics. It showcases urban centers with thriving economies, regions boasting solid job markets, and areas with low unemployment, all of which correlate with reduced crime rates. By clicking on each state, you can dive deeper into information about their safest cities and explore detailed crime statistics that paint a clearer picture of safety across the nation.