| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Sumter/100k people | South Carolina/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 2,044 | n/a (estimate) | 4,804 | 2,403 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 10 | n/a | 23.5 | 7.5 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 10 | n/a | 23.5 | 37.1 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 28 | n/a | 65.8 | 35.1 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 419 | n/a | 984.7 | 357.1 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 467 | n/a (estimate) | 1,098 | 437 | 359 |
| Burglary | 145 | n/a | 340.8 | 282.4 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 1,223 | n/a | 2,874.2 | 1,468.2 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 209 | n/a | 491.2 | 215.1 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 1,577 | n/a (estimate) | 3,706 | 1,966 | 1,760 |
Looking at the most recent crime report, the crime rate in Sumter is 126.7% higher than the national average. These crimes fall into two primary categories: violent and property. Violent crimes encompass murder, rape, robbery and assault, while property crimes involve theft, vehicle theft and burglary. In Sumter, there were 467 reported violent crimes, equivalent to 1098 per 100,000 individuals, 205.6% higher than the national average. Additionally, there were 1577 property crimes, amounting to 3706 per 100,000 residents, 110.6% higher than the U.S. average.
In Sumter, the crime rate stands at 4804 per 100,000 residents, surpassing the national average by 126.67%. This places the city among those with some of the highest total crime rates nationwide. However, it's important to recognize that this doesn't imply that the entire city is unsafe. As with any urban area, there are neighborhoods in Sumter that exhibit varying levels of safety, emphasizing the need for localized crime prevention efforts and community involvement to create a safe environment across the entire city.
Sumter ranks among the most perilous cities in the United States, bearing a violent crime rate of 1098 per 100,000 people, positioning it within the lowest 10% of all U.S. cities reporting crime statistics. The odds of falling victim to violent crime in Sumter stand at 1 in every 92 residents, emphasizing the pressing need for enhanced safety measures and community engagement to address this significant concern.
Despite a steady decline in murder rates in the United States since 1990, recent years have witnessed an unfortunate uptick. Sumter stands out with one of the nation's highest murder rates, surpassing other cities that reported crime. In Sumter, there were a total of 10 murders, translating to 24 murders per 100,000 people, underscoring the pressing need for continued efforts to address and reduce severe violent crime in the area.
Sumter faces some of the nation's most elevated property crime rates, recording 3706 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 Sumter stands at 1 in 27, 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.
Recently, vehicle thefts have seen an upward trend across the United States, and Sumter ranks among the cities with the highest vehicle theft rates in the country. Last year, there were 209 vehicle thefts, amounting to 491 stolen vehicles per 100,000 residents. This places Sumter within the worst 10% of all cities, indicating that 90% of cities fare better in terms of vehicle theft rates. The likelihood of your vehicle being stolen stands at 1 in 204.
AreaVibes surveyed 114 local residents in Sumter to gauge the safety of the area. Based on the results, 23% of people answered that there was very little crime in Sumter and that they felt very comfortable walking alone at night. Another 77% 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.
Is Sumter a safe place to live? While the answer may not be straightforward due to variations in safety levels across the city, gaining an understanding of the overall crime rate can prove to be advantageous. In general, Sumter has a crime rate that is higher than the national average by 127%. Breaking this down on a daily basis, it translates to 5.6 daily incidents, encompassing 1.28 violent crimes and 4.32 property crimes. Evaluating these statistics can aid in forming a more informed perspective on the safety of Sumter as a potential place to call home.
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 Sumter 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 Sumter has increased by 18.5% year over year. Violent crime has increased by 33.4% and property crime has increased by 14.7%.
Sumter has a poverty rate of 21.4, while the national average is 15.1. In the past, there has been a direct correlation between high or low poverty rates and high or low crime stats. Elevated poverty levels and income disparities can contribute to heightened criminal activity, as individuals may resort to unlawful means to address their fundamental necessities. While lower poverty levels have led to a reduction in typical crime levels compared to other areas.
If employment opportunities are limited or if many jobs offer low wages, it can lead to higher rates of unemployment and underemployment, which could lead to an increase in Sumter crime rates. Areas where individuals struggle with unemployment or low wages, may be more susceptible to an increase in criminal activities as a result of financial insecurity. While lower rates of unemployment or a surplus of job opportunities could lead to a decrease in crime as their basic needs are being met. Sumter has an unemployment rate of 5.6%, compared to a national average of 4.9%.
The impact of law enforcement and community policing efforts plays a crucial role in shaping crime rates in any city. A robust and cooperative bond between law enforcement and the community can serve as a deterrent to criminal activities, enhancing overall safety. In Sumter, the ratio of police officers and civilians per 1,000 residents stands at 2.96, differing from the national average of 3.25. Effective law enforcement hinges not solely on officer numbers but also on the manner in which they interact and collaborate with the community. Building trust and cooperation are central tenets of community policing, amplifying its influence on crime prevention.
| Item | Sumter | South Carolina | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 121 | 5,812 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 3.0 | 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 |
| Lakewood, SC | 3,015 | 104 | 466 | 569 |
| Stateburg, SC | 1,958 | 118 | 530 | 648 |
| Cane Savannah, SC | 1,087 | 158 | 712 | 871 |
| Oakland, SC | 1,315 | 171 | 769 | 941 |
| Wedgefield, SC | 1,990 | 199 | 895 | 1,094 |
| Privateer, SC | 2,574 | 200 | 901 | 1,101 |
| Dalzell, SC | 3,154 | 219 | 986 | 1,206 |
| Sumter, SC | 40,739 | 1,098 | 3,706 | 4,804 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Marlborough, MA | 40,753 | 421 | 1,036 | 1,457 |
| Germantown, TN | 40,725 | 168 | 1,177 | 1,345 |
| Essex, MD | 40,724 | 575 | 2,807 | 3,382 |
| Crystal Lake, IL | 40,724 | 105 | 1,103 | 1,208 |
| New Berlin, WI | 40,724 | 62 | 993 | 1,055 |
| Sumter, SC | 40,739 | 1,098 | 3,706 | 4,804 |
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