| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Walterboro/100k people | South Carolina/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 349 | n/a (estimate) | 6,386 | 2,403 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 2 | n/a | 36.6 | 7.5 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 1 | n/a | 18.3 | 37.1 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 6 | n/a | 109.8 | 35.1 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 46 | n/a | 841.7 | 357.1 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 55 | n/a (estimate) | 1,006 | 437 | 359 |
| Burglary | 24 | n/a | 439.2 | 282.4 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 253 | n/a | 4,629.5 | 1,468.2 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 17 | n/a | 311.1 | 215.1 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 294 | n/a (estimate) | 5,380 | 1,966 | 1,760 |
Looking at the most recent crime report, the crime rate in Walterboro is 201.3% 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 Walterboro, there were 55 reported violent crimes, equivalent to 1006 per 100,000 individuals, 180.3% higher than the national average. Additionally, there were 294 property crimes, amounting to 5380 per 100,000 residents, 205.7% higher than the U.S. average.
With a total of 6386 crimes per 100,000 people, the Walterboro crime rates stand at 201.34 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 Walterboro, 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.
Walterboro is one of the most dangerous cities in America with a violent crime rate of 1006 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 Walterboro is 1 in 100.
Although the murder rates in America have decreased steadily since 1990, over the last few years there has been an uptick. Walterboro has one of the highest murder rates in the country when compared to all other cities that reported crime in the U.S. There were a total of 2 murders in Walterboro, which is 37 murders per 100,000 people.
Every year, one in 19 people fall victim to a property crime in Walterboro - which is high compared to the national average. With a property crime rate of 5380 per 100,000 people, Walterboro has one of the highest property crime rates in the country. In fact, the city ranks among the worst 10% of all cities that reported crime last year.
AreaVibes conducted surveys inquiring about the safety perception of Walterboro residents. Out of the respondents (31 in total), 19% expressed a strong sense of security, believing that crime rates in Walterboro were low, and they felt comfortable walking alone at night. Conversely, 81% held a contrasting viewpoint, expressing concerns about safety in the area and feeling uncomfortable walking alone during the nighttime hours.
Is Walterboro 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, Walterboro has a crime rate that is higher than the national average by 201%. Breaking this down on a daily basis, it translates to 0.96 daily incidents, encompassing 0.15 violent crimes and 0.81 property crimes. Evaluating these statistics can aid in forming a more informed perspective on the safety of Walterboro 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 Walterboro 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 Walterboro has decreased by 15.5% year over year. Violent crime has decreased by 17.9% and property crime has decreased by 15%.
The educational level within a community can have an influence on crime rates. Typically, higher levels of education are associated with reduced crime rates, as they offer individuals improved employment prospects and alternatives to engaging in criminal activities. Conversely, lower educational attainment tends to correspond with higher crime rates. In Walterboro, 77.4% of residents have achieved at least a high school diploma, which differs from the national average of 83%.
In Walterboro, the cost of living is 13.71% lower than the national average. A substantial cost of living can burden residents, particularly those with constrained financial means. When individuals contend with steep housing expenses, grocery bills, utility costs, healthcare and essential needs that strain their budgets, they may turn to criminal activities, such as theft or fraud, as a means of financial survival. Conversely, cities characterized by a more affordable cost of living may alleviate economic pressures, which could potentially lead to decreased crime rates.
The median home price in Walterboro is $204,493, compared to the national average of $326,622. High housing costs can lead to financial stress for residents. When individuals struggle to make ends meet due to expensive housing, they may be more inclined to engage in criminal activities to address their financial difficulties, such as theft or fraud. Communities with stable housing environments tend to foster stronger social bonds and community engagement. This can lead to increased vigilance and cooperation among residents, which can deter criminal behavior.
| Item | Walterboro | South Carolina | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 45 | 5,812 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 8.3 | 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 |
| Cottageville, SC | 1,132 | 183 | 822 | 1,005 |
| Smoaks, SC | 99 | 421 | 1,894 | 2,315 |
| Jacksonboro, SC | 206 | 564 | 2,539 | 3,103 |
| Williams, SC | 202 | 567 | 2,552 | 3,120 |
| Yemassee, SC | 890 | 557 | 4,545 | 5,102 |
| Walterboro, SC | 5,608 | 1,006 | 5,380 | 6,386 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Edgewater, CO | 5,602 | 310 | 9,996 | 10,306 |
| Carrizo Springs, TX | 5,616 | 475 | 2,493 | 2,968 |
| Northwood, OH | 5,600 | 172 | 1,952 | 2,124 |
| Blauvelt, NY | 5,617 | 124 | 559 | 683 |
| Wind Lake, WI | 5,617 | 90 | 375 | 466 |
| Walterboro, SC | 5,608 | 1,006 | 5,380 | 6,386 |
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