F
59%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
69%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
57%
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 peopleLaurens/100k peopleSouth Carolina/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime343n/a (estimate)3,6852,8002,324
Murder0n/a0.011.26.3
Rape5n/a53.738.240.0
Robbery2n/a21.540.666.1
Assault51n/a548.0401.3268.2
Violent crime58n/a (estimate)623491370
Burglary32n/a343.8352.7269.8
Theft238n/a2,557.21,706.31,401.9
Vehicle theft15n/a161.2249.2282.7
Property crime285n/a (estimate)3,0622,3081,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Laurens, SC

Looking at the most recent crime report, the crime rate in Laurens is 58.6% 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 Laurens, there were 58 reported violent crimes, equivalent to 623 per 100,000 individuals, 68.5% higher than the national average. Additionally, there were 285 property crimes, amounting to 3062 per 100,000 residents, 56.7% higher than the U.S. average.

In a remarkable testament to the city's commitment to safety, Laurens 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.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Laurens?

AreaVibes surveyed 7 local residents in Laurens to gauge the safety of the area. Based on the results, 71% of people answered that there was very little crime in Laurens and that they felt very comfortable walking alone at night. Another 29% 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 Laurens a Safe Place to Live?

To determine if Laurens is a safe place to live, let's take a look at the overall crime rate of the area, as well as the number of daily crimes. Laurens has a total crime rate that is 59% higher than the national average per 100,000 residents. This results in a total of 0.94 daily crimes (0.16 violent daily crimes and 0.78 daily property crimes) in Laurens.

Has Crime in Laurens Increased Since Last Year?

In the most recent crime report, year-over-year crime rates in Laurens has decreased by 26.7%. Examining the change in crime rates from one year to the next provides valuable insights into the evolving safety landscape of Laurens, aiding residents in assessing whether it is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live. These crime rates are categorized into two primary groups: violent and property crimes. Year-over-year, violent crime has decreased by 14.7%, while property crime has decreased by 28.8%. This comprehensive analysis offers potential residents essential information for making informed decisions about whether or not Laurens is a safe place to live.

Potential Causes for Crime in Laurens

Laurens has a poverty rate of 27, 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.

In areas where employment options are limited or where a significant proportion of jobs offer meager wages, the likelihood of heightened unemployment and homelessness increases. Regions facing challenges related to unemployment or inadequate income may become more vulnerable to a surge in crime stemming from economic instability. While low unemployment rates tend to lead to reduced crime in most areas. Laurens currently has an unemployment rate of 2.6%, contrasting with the national average of 4.7%. This could be one of many factors that could contribute to a higher or lower crime rate.

In Laurens, 71.4% 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.

Laurens crime map



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

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      Crime Quick Facts

      • Laurens crime rates are 59% higher than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Laurens are 69% higher than the national average
      • In Laurens you have a 1 in 28 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Laurens is safer than 11% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Laurens has decreased by 30%

      Laurens, SC Crime Quiz

         

        Safest Places to Live in and Around Laurens

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        Daily Crime In Laurens (per 100,000 people)

        The number of daily crimes per 100,000 residents in Laurens, South Carolina is displayed in the graph above. As you can see, the daily crimes for Laurens are 1.32 times more than the South Carolina average and 1.59 times more than the national level. Daily violent crimes in Laurens are 1.27 times more than than South Carolina and 1.69 times more than the national mean. While daily property crimes in Laurens are 1.33 times more than than South Carolina and 1.57 times more than the national average.

        How Safe is Laurens (higher is better)

        What are the odds that you'll be safer in Laurens, South Carolina compared to other areas of South Carolina, as well as the rest of America? When it comes down to it, is Laurens safe? In the graphs above, it shows that Laurens is safer than 40% of South Carolina cities, and 11% compared to all other cities across America. These statistics are calculated by taking a closer look at each city's crime rate in South Carolina, as well as the rest of the US. It is then determined which cities see less crime than Laurens. At this time, Laurens sees a below average rate of crime in comparison to other United States cities.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Laurens

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Laurens is 1 in 161
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Laurens is 1 in 33
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Laurens is 1 in 28
        Wondering what the chances are that you fall victim to a crime in Laurens? In Laurens, SC you have a 1 in 161 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime. Violent crimes include murder, rape, robbery and assault. With regards to property crime, you have a 1 in 33 chance of becoming a victim. Property crimes include burglary, theft and motor vehicle theft. Overall, you have a 1 in 28 chance of becoming a victim of crime in Laurens.

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

        An analysis of year to year crime rates in Laurens, South Carolina (per 100,000 people) is a useful indicator of whether the area is becoming a safer or a more dangerous place to live. The amount of violent crime in Laurens has decreased by 19%, the amount of property crime in Laurens has decreased by 32%, and the total amount of crime in Laurens has decreased by 30% year over year.

        Laurens police department

        Item Laurens South Carolina National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)355,812558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents3.85.13.3
        There are a total of 35 Laurens police officers. This results in 3.8 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 25.1% less than the South Carolina average and 16.7% 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
        Joanna, SC1,2702501,1731,423
        Watts Mills, SC1,9702711,2761,547
        Ware Shoals, SC2,4552771,3041,581
        Fountain Inn, SC10,1274511,7882,239
        Hodges, SC2265162,4272,943
        Cokesbury, SC4325732,6933,266
        Waterloo, SC1816813,2013,882
        Laurens, SC8,8636233,0623,685

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Covington, TN8,8631,0721,9693,041
        Redlands, CO8,8634182,6763,094
        Plainedge, NY8,8652781,1171,396
        Smithville, NJ8,8612051,4341,640
        Valley Cottage, NY8,8612931,1751,467
        Laurens, SC8,8636233,0623,685
        Source: The Laurens, 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.