| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Williston/100k people | South Carolina/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 128 | n/a (estimate) | 4,490 | 2,403 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 1 | n/a | 35.1 | 7.5 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 2 | n/a | 70.2 | 37.1 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 2 | n/a | 70.2 | 35.1 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 11 | n/a | 385.8 | 357.1 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 16 | n/a (estimate) | 561 | 437 | 359 |
| Burglary | 22 | n/a | 771.7 | 282.4 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 87 | n/a | 3,051.6 | 1,468.2 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 3 | n/a | 105.2 | 215.1 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 112 | n/a (estimate) | 3,928 | 1,966 | 1,760 |
Looking at the most recent crime report, the crime rate in Williston is 111.9% 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 Williston, there were 16 reported violent crimes, equivalent to 561 per 100,000 individuals, 56.3% higher than the national average. Additionally, there were 112 property crimes, amounting to 3928 per 100,000 residents, 123.2% higher than the U.S. average.
Having a crime rate of 4490 per 100,000 residents, Williston experiences a crime rate that is 111.86% higher when compared to the national average, leading to one of the highest overall crime rates in the nation. It's important to clarify that this doesn't imply the entire city is unsafe. Like any area, Williston contains neighborhoods with varying safety levels and you can find areas that are notably safer than others, emphasizing the need for targeted crime prevention efforts and community engagement initiatives.
Despite a steady decline in murder rates in the United States since 1990, recent years have witnessed an unfortunate uptick. Williston stands out with one of the nation's highest murder rates, surpassing other cities that reported crime. In Williston, there were a total of 1 murders, translating to 35 murders per 100,000 people, underscoring the pressing need for continued efforts to address and reduce severe violent crime in the area.
Williston has some of the highest property crime rates in the country with 3928 crimes per 100,000 people - this ranks in the bottom 10% of all American cities that reported crime. Your chance of being a victim of property crime in Williston is 1 in 26, which is far higher than the national average.
AreaVibes has conducted polls asking local residents if they feel safe living in Williston. Based on the results of the surveys (6 responses), 83% of people felt that there was very little crime in Williston and felt safe walking alone at night. While 17% of people felt that it was not a safe place to live and did not feel safe walking alone at night.
To get a feel for the safety of living in Williston, it's essential to analyze both the overall crime rate and the daily incident count. Williston presents a total crime rate that is 112% higher than the national average per 100,000 residents. Consequently, Williston experiences an average of 0.35 daily crimes, comprising 0.04 violent incidents and 0.31 property-related offenses. This evaluation offers a comprehensive understanding of the safety landscape, aiding individuals in making informed decisions when considering relocation.
Year-over-year crime data allows residents and potential residents to assess the crime in Williston. A decrease in crime rates may indicate improving safety, while an increase could raise concerns. The year-over-year crime rate in Williston has increased by 15.3%. Violent crimes have increased by 77.8%, while property crimes have increased by 9.8%. By comparing crime rates from one year to the next, authorities and communities can identify trends and patterns in criminal activity. This helps in understanding whether crime is increasing, decreasing, or remaining stable over time.
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 Williston 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. Williston has an unemployment rate of 5.7%, compared to a national average of 4.9%.
In Williston, 75% 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 cities grappling with housing affordability challenges, crime can emerge as a prominent issue. Certain individuals and families may find themselves needing to reside in cramped or subpar housing conditions, elevating stress levels and potentially fueling domestic conflicts and associated criminal incidents. Williston has a median home price of $284,197, deviating from the national average of $326,622. Large disparities in housing costs can significantly impact the well-being of residents and the prevalence of crime within the community.
| Item | Williston | South Carolina | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 9 | 5,812 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 2.9 | 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 |
| New Ellenton, SC | 2,214 | 212 | 1,527 | 1,740 |
| Snelling, SC | 228 | 550 | 2,476 | 3,027 |
| Blackville, SC | 2,084 | 947 | 2,262 | 3,209 |
| Springfield, SC | 511 | 608 | 2,738 | 3,346 |
| Hilda, SC | 474 | 609 | 2,738 | 3,347 |
| Barnwell, SC | 4,497 | 1,208 | 3,382 | 4,589 |
| Williston, SC | 3,028 | 561 | 3,928 | 4,490 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Savanna, IL | 3,028 | 156 | 923 | 1,078 |
| Heritage Lake, IN | 3,027 | 90 | 396 | 485 |
| Denver, NC | 3,029 | 115 | 600 | 714 |
| Marshall, VA | 3,027 | 61 | 443 | 504 |
| Georgetown, CA | 3,029 | 196 | 837 | 1,032 |
| Williston, SC | 3,028 | 561 | 3,928 | 4,490 |
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