F
96%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
48%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
105%
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 peopleWestminster/100k peopleSouth Carolina/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime108n/a (estimate)4,5492,8002,324
Murder0n/a0.011.26.3
Rape1n/a42.138.240.0
Robbery1n/a42.140.666.1
Assault11n/a463.4401.3268.2
Violent crime13n/a (estimate)548491370
Burglary23n/a968.8352.7269.8
Theft68n/a2,864.41,706.31,401.9
Vehicle theft4n/a168.5249.2282.7
Property crime95n/a (estimate)4,0022,3081,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Westminster, SC

The Westminster crime rates are 95.7% 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 13 violent crimes in Westminster (548 per 100,000 people), which is 48.1% higher than the national average and there were a total of 95 property crimes (4002 per 100,000 residents) which is 104.8% higher than average.

In Westminster, the crime rate stands at 4549 per 100,000 residents, surpassing the national average by 95.74%. 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 Westminster 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.

In a remarkable testament to the city's commitment to safety, Westminster reported a murder rate of 0. This could indicate that it is a very safe place to live, but also serves as an inspiration to other urban areas striving for safer communities. Examining the full crime report will provide a complete overview of all crimes - violent and property.

With a property crime rate of 4002 crimes per 100,000 people, Westminster 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 Westminster is alarmingly high, estimated at 1 in 25, 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.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Westminster?

AreaVibes surveyed 10 local residents in Westminster to gauge the safety of the area. Based on the results, 50% of people answered that there was very little crime in Westminster and that they felt very comfortable walking alone at night. Another 50% 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 Westminster a Safe Place to Live?

Before you decide to relocate, it’s always good to ask yourself “Is Westminster 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 Westminster crime rate is 96% higher than the national average. If we break that down daily, that translates into 0.3 crimes per day - 0.04 violent crimes and 0.26 property crimes.

Has Crime in Westminster Increased Since Last Year?

Year-over-year crime rates in Westminster has increased by 4.9% in the last reported crime report. Comparing crime rates from one year to another offers some insight into whether or not Westminster is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live. Crime rates are categorized by violent and property crime. Year-over-year violent crime has decreased by 38.1%, while property crime has increased by 15.9%. This analysis equips individuals with crucial information for making informed decisions about living in Westminster.

Potential Causes for Crime in Westminster

Westminster has a population density of 737.9 people per square mile, while with the national average is 90.6 people per square mile. Cities characterized by high population density are frequently larger urban centers offering diverse economic prospects. Within these areas, income inequality may be accentuated, resulting in the coexistence of poverty and affluence. Such economic disparities can contribute to elevated property crimes and on occasion, violent crimes. Conversely, areas with low population density generally record lower Westminster crime rates.

In Westminster, 66.4% of residents have graduated from high school, whereas the national average stands at 83%. The educational makeup of a community can exert a significant influence on crime rates. Typically, higher levels of educational attainment are associated with reduced crime rates, as they furnish individuals with improved employment prospects and viable alternatives to engaging in criminal activities. Conversely, communities characterized by lower educational achievement often grapple with higher crime rates, as limited opportunities may drive individuals towards criminal behavior.

In Westminster, the ratio of police officers and civilians stands at 3.68 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.

Westminster crime map



The Westminster crime map provides a detailed overview of all crimes in Westminster 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 Westminster crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the Westminster 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 Westminster, SC Crime

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      Crime Quick Facts

      • Westminster crime rates are 96% higher than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Westminster are 48% higher than the national average
      • In Westminster you have a 1 in 22 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Westminster is safer than 10% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Westminster has increased by 15%

      Westminster, SC Crime Quiz

         

        Safest Places to Live in and Around Westminster

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        How would you rate the amount of crime in Westminster?
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        Do you feel safe walking alone at night in Westminster?
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        See all Westminster poll results

        Daily Crime In Westminster (per 100,000 people)

        How Safe is Westminster (higher is better)

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Westminster

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Westminster is 1 in 183
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Westminster is 1 in 25
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Westminster is 1 in 22

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

        Westminster police department

        Item Westminster South Carolina National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)95,812558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents3.75.13.3
        There are a total of 9 Westminster police officers. This results in 3.7 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 27.3% less than the South Carolina average and 13.2% 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
        Fair Play, SC2823881,8252,213
        Avalon, GA1864472,0612,508
        Seneca, SC8,4246582,1422,800
        Martin, GA4535292,4362,965
        Westminster, SC2,5435484,0024,549

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Oakwood Hills, IL2,54397569667
        North Prairie, WI2,54272335407
        Pine Ridge, PA2,544142754896
        La Selva Beach, CA2,54478368446
        Huntsville, AR2,5443281,2491,577
        Westminster, SC2,5435484,0024,549
        Source: The Westminster, 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.