Williston, SC Crime Rates

An Overview of Crime Rates in Williston, SC

Crime can be categorized into two primary types: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes encompass offenses such as murder, rape, robbery, and assault, whereas property crimes involve acts like burglary, theft, and vehicle theft. The overall crime rate in Williston is 118% higher than the national average. Specifically, there were 16 violent crimes reported in Williston, equivalent to 555 per 100,000 residents, which is higher than the national average by 50.1%. Additionally, Williston recorded 130 property crimes, amounting to 4511 per 100,000 people, higher than the national average by 130.8%.

Having a crime rate of 5066 per 100,000 residents, Williston experiences a crime rate that is 117.96% 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.

Although murder rates are essentially half of what they used to be 30+ years ago, some cities still struggle with higher rates than others. Williston is one of those cities. In the last reported crime year, there were a total of 4 murders in Williston, which equates to 139 murders per 100,000 people. This results in Williston being a very dangerous place to live.

Williston has some of the highest property crime rates in the country with 4511 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 23, which is far higher than the national average.

Is Williston a Safe Place to Live?

To determine if Williston 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. Williston has a total crime rate that is 118% higher than the national average per 100,000 residents. This results in a total of 0.4 daily crimes (0.04 violent daily crimes and 0.36 daily property crimes) in Williston.

Has Crime in Williston Increased Since Last Year?

Examining year-over-year crime data provides insights into short-term trends with regards to the crime activity in Williston. This analysis involves comparing crime rates from one year to the next, enabling the identification of patterns and fluctuations in crime. Such information proves invaluable to residents seeking to make well-informed decisions about their choice of residence. In the most recent year, compared to the previous one, total crime in Williston has increased by 31.5%. Specifically, violent crime has increased by 77.8%, while property crime has increased by 27.5%. This data empowers individuals with a clearer understanding of the evolving safety landscape in Williston.

Potential Causes for Crime in Williston

Williston reports an unemployment rate of 5.5%, contrasting with the national average of 4.7%. Constrained employment opportunities or a prevalence of low-paying positions can contribute to elevated rates of unemployment and underemployment. Areas where individuals contend with joblessness or insufficient wages may display heightened susceptibility to an increase in criminal activities attributed to economic insecurity. Conversely, regions characterized by robust employment rates often witness a decrease in overall Williston crime rates.

Williston has a population density of 329.5 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 Williston crime rates.

Escalating cost of living expenses, encompassing exorbitant housing costs, grocery and healthcare expenditures, can induce financial strain on individuals and families, particularly those with limited financial resources. Such economic stress may propel individuals towards criminal activities, including theft or burglary, as a means of addressing their financial hardships. Conversely, cities characterized by a lower cost of living may alleviate economic pressures, potentially resulting in a reduced crime rate. In Williston, the cost of living is 22.32% lower than the national average, reflecting a more affordable economic environment that could contribute to a decrease in crime levels.

Williston crime map