Safest cities in South Carolina

Known as the 'Palmetto State,' South Carolina is celebrated for its warm hospitality, historic charm, and scenic landscapes. Located in the southeastern United States, South Carolina offers a variety of terrains, including beautiful beaches, lush forests, and rolling hills. The state's economy is driven by industries such as tourism, manufacturing, agriculture, and technology. Charleston, the state's oldest city, is known for its well-preserved architecture, vibrant arts scene, and rich history. South Carolina is also home to numerous cultural attractions, including historic sites, museums, and music festivals, reflecting its diverse heritage and traditions.

Low crime rates are essential for maintaining a high quality of life, making the safest cities in South Carolina highly desirable. Safety fosters a sense of community and stability, allowing residents to thrive in a secure environment. Factors contributing to the safety of South Carolina's cities include strong law enforcement, active community policing, and engaged local governments. The safest cities are ranked based on total crime per 100,000 people, ensuring a transparent and reliable measure of safety. This emphasis on security allows residents to enjoy South Carolina's natural beauty, cultural richness, and economic opportunities without the overshadowing concern of crime, making it an attractive place to live and work.

Lexington Population: 21,847 107 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 16 Property Crime / 100k: 92 chance of being a victim: 1 in 931

Lexington proudly holds the honor of being the safest city in South Carolina. With only 107 crimes per 100,000 people, Lexington has a crime rate that is 75% lower than the South Carolina average. This equates to an average of 0.07 crimes per day and a 1 in 931 chance of becoming a victim of a crime. The city's well-funded police department, active neighborhood watch programs, and community engagement initiatives contribute significantly to its low crime rates, making it an ideal place for families and retirees.

Fort Mill Population: 19,920 671 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 82 Property Crime / 100k: 589 chance of being a victim: 1 in 149

Known for its tight-knight community and safe environment, Fort Mill comes in at #2 on our list of the safest cities in South Carolina with a crime rate of 671 crimes per 100,000 people. When you dig deeper into the numbers, this translates to: 35 counts of burglary, 487 counts of theft, 67 counts of vehicle theft, 64 counts of assault, 6 counts of robbery, 12 counts of rape and 0 counts of homicide. The commitment to safety in Fort Mill, makes it one of the safest and most livable areas in the state.

Tega Cay Population: 10,834 923 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 21 Property Crime / 100k: 902 chance of being a victim: 1 in 108

With a population of 10,834 and a total crime rate of 923 per 100,000 residents, Tega Cay is the 3rd safest city in South Carolina. Exhibiting a total crime rate that is 86% lower than the South Carolina average, the commitment to safety is evident in its multifaceted crime prevention strategies. The local government collaborates closely with residents through regular community meetings and feedback sessions to address safety concerns. The end result, is an incredibly safe place to live.

Bluffton Population: 23,176 1,030 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 76 Property Crime / 100k: 954 chance of being a victim: 1 in 97

With many parks and recreational activities readily available, Bluffton is a growing community where residents can enjoy the outdoors. Residents also feel safe, knowing that the overall crime rate per 100,000 people is 1,030, 62% lower than the South Carolina average. This amounts to 1.07 crimes per day and a 1 in 97 chance of becoming a victim of a crime. Strong community partnerships between local businesses, schools, and law enforcement further enhance the city’s security. These combined efforts make Bluffton a highly desirable and safe place to call home.

Clover Population: 6,370 1,134 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 180 Property Crime / 100k: 953 chance of being a victim: 1 in 88

Known for its friendly neighborhoods and proactive safety measures, Clover consistently ranks high in safety. In Clover, the focus on community policing ensures that officers are integrated into the community, building strong relationships with residents. Crime prevention education, offered through schools and local organizations, empowers residents to take an active role in maintaining their safety. With everything working asynchronously, the total crime rate comes in at 1,134, which is 92% lower than the state average.

Port Royal Population: 13,265 1,362 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 142 Property Crime / 100k: 1,220 chance of being a victim: 1 in 73

Port Royal has lots to offer its residents, including safety as it comes in at #6 on our list of the safest cities in South Carolina. The total crime rate from the year that it was last reported was 1,362 crimes per 100,000 people, 84% lower than the South Carolina average. Breaking down each category of crime, it comes out to: 99 reports of burglary, 1,066 reports of theft, 55 reports of vehicle theft, 111 reports of assault, 18 reports of robbery, 12 reports of rape and 0 reports of homicide.

Mount Pleasant Population: 89,410 1,442 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 144 Property Crime / 100k: 1,298 chance of being a victim: 1 in 69

Mount Pleasant ranks as the seventh safest city in South Carolina and offers a peaceful retreat with minimal crime. With a 1 in 69 chance of becoming a victim of a crime and 3.81 crimes per day (per 100,000 people), the area has a safety record that speaks for itself. Active involvement from its residents, such as neighborhood patrols and community safety workshops, fosters a strong sense of community and vigilance. Mount Pleasant’s commitment to safety makes it one of the safest places in South Carolina.

Hanahan Population: 25,743 1,639 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 196 Property Crime / 100k: 1,443 chance of being a victim: 1 in 61

Recognized for sprawling open spaces, outdoor recreational opportunities, and a growing economy, Hanahan is the 8th safest city in South Carolina. Continuously ranking as one of the safest cities in the state, the crime rate came in at 78% lower than the South Carolina average, reporting a total of 1,639 crimes per 100,000 people. The city places a strong emphasis on public safety through various initiatives that promote collaboration between residents and local authorities. Regular community safety events and lots of outdoor spaces, coupled with an accessible and responsive police force, ensure that residents feel safe and supported.

Fountain Inn Population: 10,127 1,657 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 330 Property Crime / 100k: 1,327 chance of being a victim: 1 in 60

Many safe cities implement comprehensive crime prevention programs that include educational initiatives, youth engagement activities, and public awareness campaigns. Fountain Inn is a great example of such a city and continually ranks as one of the safest communities in South Carolina, based on the annual review of the FBI uniform crime report. Statistically speaking, there were a total of 1,657 crimes per 100,000 residents, which is 88% lower than the state average.

Goose Creek Population: 42,944 1,769 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 267 Property Crime / 100k: 1,502 chance of being a victim: 1 in 57

Completing the list as the 10th safest city in South Carolina, is Goose Creek. With a low rate of crime that included 155 burglaries, 1,184 thefts, 163 vehicle thefts, 195 assaults, 29 robberies, 43 rapes and 0 homicides, the overall crime rate was 52% lower than the state average. Cities with engaged citizens and responsive government bodies are more likely to implement effective policies and practices that promote safety and address residents’ concerns.

Full list of the safest cities in South Carolina

Rank	Location	Population	Violent Crimes /100k	Property Crimes /100k	Total Crimes /100k
1	Lexington	21,847	16	92	107
2	Fort Mill	19,920	82	589	671
3	Tega Cay	10,834	21	902	923
4	Bluffton	23,176	76	954	1,030
5	Clover	6,370	180	953	1,134
6	Port Royal	13,265	142	1,220	1,362
7	Mount Pleasant	89,410	144	1,298	1,442
8	Hanahan	25,743	196	1,443	1,639
9	Fountain Inn	10,127	330	1,327	1,657
10	Goose Creek	42,944	267	1,502	1,769
11	Seneca	8,424	398	1,570	1,969
12	Hardeeville	6,788	160	1,821	1,981
13	Abbeville	5,014	226	1,770	1,997
14	Clemson	16,917	106	1,967	2,073
15	Central	5,342	74	2,007	2,081
16	Conway	24,747	378	1,852	2,230
17	Charleston	137,041	402	1,977	2,379
18	Easley	21,149	278	2,106	2,383
19	Mauldin	25,829	171	2,213	2,384
20	Batesburg-Leesville	5,504	475	2,373	2,848
21	Moncks Corner	11,370	411	2,561	2,972
22	Simpsonville	23,200	232	2,756	2,988
23	Rock Hill	74,410	511	2,673	3,184
24	Newberry	10,219	605	2,671	3,276
25	Travelers Rest	7,947	226	3,164	3,390
26	Summerville	53,643	432	3,086	3,517
27	Forest Acres	10,300	435	3,125	3,560
28	Laurens	8,863	725	2,998	3,723
29	Aiken	31,428	322	3,440	3,762
30	York	8,287	552	3,277	3,829
31	Beaufort	13,417	501	3,707	4,207
32	Columbia	134,057	757	3,467	4,223
33	Greenville	69,648	607	3,738	4,345
34	North Myrtle Beach	16,684	448	4,011	4,458
35	Greenwood	23,351	674	3,968	4,642
36	Sumter	39,758	886	3,948	4,834
37	West Columbia	17,782	649	4,507	5,156
38	Clinton	8,347	785	4,509	5,294
39	Bennettsville	7,905	1,376	4,172	5,548
40	North Charleston	113,880	924	4,675	5,598
41	Florence	38,535	1,156	4,459	5,615
42	Cheraw	5,596	907	4,835	5,741
43	Anderson	27,387	598	5,360	5,959
44	Lake City	6,562	1,824	4,184	6,008
45	Camden	7,185	1,068	4,949	6,017
46	Marion	6,598	982	5,452	6,434
47	Lancaster	9,187	745	5,858	6,602
48	Myrtle Beach	33,638	1,002	5,886	6,889
49	Dillon	6,358	1,873	5,138	7,011
50	Darlington	6,000	1,542	5,489	7,032

Methodology

The AreaVibes list of the safest cities in South Carolina is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reporting program (UCR Program) from their most recent release. To compile this list, we used violent crime (assualt, robbery, rape and murder) and property crime data (burglary, theft, vehicle theft) per 100,000 people and only included South Carolina cities with a population of 5,000 or more. Displaying crime rates based on a population of 100,000 allows for an equal comparison for each city.

Map of Crime by State

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The interactive map above is a powerful tool for discovering the safest cities in each state across the USA. By highlighting states with the lowest total crime rates, this map provides valuable insights into the factors contributing to these statistics. It showcases urban centers with thriving economies, regions boasting solid job markets, and areas with low unemployment, all of which correlate with reduced crime rates. By clicking on each state, you can dive deeper into information about their safest cities and explore detailed crime statistics that paint a clearer picture of safety across the nation.