F
20%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
78%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
10%
Property crime NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects the 2022 calendar year and was released from the FBI in September, 2023; this is the most current data available.
StatisticReportedincidents/100k peopleSeneca/100k peopleSouth Carolina/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime251n/a (estimate)2,8002,8002,324
Murder0n/a0.011.26.3
Rape8n/a89.238.240.0
Robbery4n/a44.640.666.1
Assault47n/a524.3401.3268.2
Violent crime59n/a (estimate)658491370
Burglary30n/a334.7352.7269.8
Theft144n/a1,606.41,706.31,401.9
Vehicle theft18n/a200.8249.2282.7
Property crime192n/a (estimate)2,1422,3081,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Seneca, SC

Crime is typically categorized into two main types: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes encompass offenses such as murder, rape, robbery, and assault, while property crimes include burglary, theft, and vehicle theft. Based on the most recent report, the Seneca crime rate is higher than the national average by 20.5%. Specifically, there were 59 violent crimes in Seneca, equivalent to 658 per 100,000 individuals, higher than the national average by 78%. Furthermore, Seneca recorded 192 property crimes, amounting to 2142 per 100,000 residents, which was higher than the average by 9.6%.

During the most recently reported crime year, Seneca experienced a total of 0 reported murders. This statistic paints it as a beacon of security when it comes to severe violent crimes. Such an achievement not only instills a profound sense of security for its residents but also sets a high standard for other communities striving to create similarly secure environments. It underscores the area as a place where safety is a top priority, enhancing its appeal as a desirable location to live and thrive.

Seneca maintains a property crime rate that closely resembles the national norm. In Seneca, 2142 property crimes were reported, aligning with the national average of 1954 per 100,000 individuals. Consequently, the area's safety profile stands on par with the average city, neither significantly safer nor more dangerous. This consistency underscores a balanced commitment to community safety and security, providing residents with a stable and reassuring living environment.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Seneca?

AreaVibes conducted surveys inquiring about the safety perception of Seneca residents. Out of the respondents (20 in total), 55% expressed a strong sense of security, believing that crime rates in Seneca were low, and they felt comfortable walking alone at night. Conversely, 45% held a contrasting viewpoint, expressing concerns about safety in the area and feeling uncomfortable walking alone during the nighttime hours.

Is Seneca a Safe Place to Live?

Before you decide to relocate, it’s always good to ask yourself “Is Seneca 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 Seneca crime rate is 20% higher than the national average. If we break that down daily, that translates into 0.69 crimes per day - 0.16 violent crimes and 0.53 property crimes.

Has Crime in Seneca Increased Since Last Year?

In the most recent crime report, year-over-year crime rates in Seneca has increased by 5.5%. Examining the change in crime rates from one year to the next provides valuable insights into the evolving safety landscape of Seneca, 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 increased by 15.7%, while property crime has increased by 2.7%. This comprehensive analysis offers potential residents essential information for making informed decisions about whether or not Seneca is a safe place to live.

Potential Causes for Crime in Seneca

In areas where employment options are limited or where a significant proportion of jobs offer meager wages, the likelihood of heightened unemployment and homelessness increases. Regions facing challenges related to unemployment or inadequate income may become more vulnerable to a surge in crime stemming from economic instability. While low unemployment rates tend to lead to reduced crime in most areas. Seneca currently has an unemployment rate of 6.6%, contrasting with the national average of 4.7%. This could be one of many factors that could contribute to a higher or lower crime rate.

In Seneca, the ratio of police officers and civilians stands at 5.61 per 1,000 residents, contrasting with the national average of 3.25. This discrepancy highlights the potential impact of law enforcement and community policing on crime rates. The strength of their collaboration can serve as a deterrent to criminal behavior, fostering a safer environment. Effective law enforcement leans heavily on community policing strategies that prioritize the cultivation of trust and cooperation between police and residents. It's essential to recognize that the effectiveness of these efforts isn't solely tied to the quantity of officers but also hinges on the quality of their engagement with the community.

In Seneca, the median home price stands at $161,800, 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.

Seneca crime map



The Seneca crime map provides a detailed overview of all crimes in Seneca as reported by the local law enforcement agencies. Based on the color coded legend above, the crime map outlines the areas with lower crime compared to the areas with higher crime. The Seneca crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the Seneca crime map does not always indicate that it is a dangerous area for its residents. Areas on the heat map could be inflated if they are located in high traffic areas like airports, sports centers or large parks. Other areas on the heat map could see increased crime rates if they are located in major tourist areas like the downtown core.
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Compare Seneca, SC Crime

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      Crime Quick Facts

      • Seneca crime rates are 20% higher than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Seneca are 78% higher than the national average
      • In Seneca you have a 1 in 36 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Seneca is safer than 13% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Seneca has increased by 1%

      Seneca, SC Crime Quiz

         

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        Daily Crime In Seneca (per 100,000 people)

        The graph above illustrates the number of daily crimes in Seneca, SC per 100,000 people. In Seneca, the total number of daily crimes is 1.00 times more than the South Carolina average and 1.20 times more than the national average. The number of daily violent crimes in Seneca is 1.34 times more than the South Carolina average and 1.78 times more than the national average. With regards to property crimes, Seneca has a daily crime rate that is 1.08 times less than the South Carolina average and 1.10 times more than the national average.

        How Safe is Seneca (higher is better)

        When comparing the safety of Seneca to every other city in South Carolina, as well as the entirety of the United States, is Seneca safe? The gauges above illustrate that Seneca is safer than 47% of every city located within South Carolina along with 13% of the all the cities located in the United States. The results of these graphs are created after analyzing each of the cities in South Carolina and in the United States as a whole. As a result, Seneca, SC is ranked below average when compared to the rest of the US cities.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Seneca

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Seneca is 1 in 152
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Seneca is 1 in 47
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Seneca is 1 in 36
        Are you at risk of becoming a victim of crime in Seneca, South Carolina? If you reside in Seneca, then there is a 1 in 152 chance that you will experience a violent crime. These types of crimes may include homicide, sexual assault, robbery, and physical assault. Your risk of being a victim of property crime is 1 in 47. These types of crime include burglary, petty theft, and theft of motor vehicles. Altogether, there is a 1 in 36 risk that you will become a victim of crime in Seneca.

        Year Over Year Crime In Seneca (per 100,000 people)

        Determining whether Seneca is becoming less or more safe for its residents (per 100,000) is most easily done by comparing year-over-year crime rates. Seneca violent crime rates have increased by 11%. At the same time, property crime has decreased by 1% year over year. Total crimes for Seneca has increased by 1% in the same time frame.

        Seneca police department

        Item Seneca South Carolina National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)465,812558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents5.65.13.3
        There are a total of 46 Seneca police officers. This results in 5.6 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 10.8% greater than the South Carolina average and 72.7% greater than the National average.

        Sex offenders in South Carolina

        State Total offenders South Carolina /100K National /100K
        South Carolina15,193377266
        There are a total of 15,193 sex offenders in South Carolina. This yields a total of 377 sex offenders in South Carolina per 100,000 residents which is 42% greater than the national average.

        Nearby Cities With Low Crime Rates

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Gumlog, GA2,336169776945
        Utica, SC1,7612481,1661,414
        Walhalla, SC4,3772671,4801,747
        Central, SC5,342191,7811,799
        Clemson, SC16,9172261,9482,173
        Fair Play, SC2823881,8252,213
        Centerville, SC6,8164241,9932,417
        Seneca, SC8,4246582,1422,800

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Donaldsonville, LA8,4247203,1443,863
        Perry Heights, OH8,4233111,8872,198
        North Haledon, NJ8,42534410444
        Dalhart, TX8,422250654904
        Virginia, MN8,4215322,1632,695
        Seneca, SC8,4246582,1422,800
        Source: The Seneca, SC crime data displayed above is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reports for the year of 2022. The crime report encompasses more than 18,000 city and state law enforcement agencies reporting data on property and violent crimes. The uniform crime reports program represents approximately 309 million American residents, which results in 98% coverage of metropolitan statistical areas.