No state is perfect, and even in a place as wonderful as the Palmetto State, there are disheartening facts and stats that can’t be ignored, such as the following list of cities with the highest crime rates in South Carolina.
But we’re going to say now and it bears repeating: as far as we’re concerned, South Carolina is a wonderful place to live, work, and raise a family. But it’s always good to keep a vigilant eye on the crimes reported in and around where you live and play. The most recent stats from the FBI reveal the 10 most dangerous places in the state are listed below. Numbers aside, each and every one of these cities and towns has its wonderful side, too. So keep that in mind and use the information below as a simple reminder to remain aware if you live in, or are visiting, one of the top 10. Read on to see if your city or town found its way onto this list of cities with the highest crime rates in South Carolina…
- North Charleston
Wikimedia/Thomson200 With a population of 112,840, this city with a gruesome history, North Charleston, tops the list of the state’s most dangerous cities, boasting higher-than-average rates of both property and violent crime, including some of the most violent crimes in South Carolina. North Charleston, SC, USA
- Columbia
Wikipedia/HaloMasterMind In recent years, Columbia’s violent crimes have skyrocketed in Columbia, South Carolina, with both violent and property crime rates (including aggravated assault and larceny) on the rise. Columbia, SC, USA
- Charleston
Wikipedia/ProfReader One of the most historic and beautiful places in South Carolina is, unfortunately, afflicted with high crime rates. The violent crimes in Charleston are much higher than average, with nearly half of all instances classified as aggravated assault. Murder, rape, and larceny rates in Charleston are unfortunately quite high, too. Charleston, SC, USA
- Greenwood
Wikipedia/change-of-venue Over in the much smaller City of Greenwood (population 23,265), the city saw 392 violent crimes committed in 2018. Of those, 329 were aggravated assault, 31 were robberies, 30 rapes were reported, and two murders occurred. Greenwood’s property crimes, however, numbered 1,594 with 1,245 of them classified as larceny theft. Greenwood, SC, USA
- Greenville
Wikipedia/Antony-22 Within the City of Greenville, which falls in the middle of the Top 10, 368 violent crimes occurred in 2018. Of them, 258 were aggravated assault and 74 were robberies. Greenville had 34 reported rapes and two murders in that same year. Property crimes soared to 2,810, with the majority (2,177) of them being larcey theft. Of note is the large number of motor vehicle thefts in Greenville in 2018: 230. The population was reported in the FBI stats as 69,608. Greenville, SC, USA
- Sumter
Wikimedia/Charlesinsumter Over in Sumter County, the county seat of Sumter (population 39,898) saw 366 violent crimes in 2018 — averaging slightly more than one per day. Of those, 297 were aggravated assault; 53 were robberies, 12 were rapes, and there were four murders. Property crimes far outnumbered the violent crimes with a total of 1,873. A large number of them (1,411) were classified as larceny theft; however, 86 motor vehicle thefts are on record as well as one case of arson. Sumter, SC, USA
- Florence
Google Maps [streetview] The City of Florence falls in line very closely behind Sumter. With a similar population (37,819), Florence saw 362 violent crimes in 2018, according to the FBI statistics. The majority of them were aggravated assault but there were 18 cases of rape, 72 robberies, and eight murders. Property crimes far outnumbered the violent crimes, though. With 2,462 reported, 1,935 were classified as larceny theft, nine were arson, 375 robberies are on record, and a large number of motor vehicle thefts occurred: 152. Florence, SC, USA
- West Columbia
Google Maps [streetview] With neighboring Columbia ranked at number two based on the FBI’s statistics, West Columbia (population 17,368) falls into the ranking at number eight on the list. In 2018, West Columbia saw 181 violent crimes, of which 113 were aggravated assault and 35 were robberies. Additionally, there were three murders in the year as well as 30 reported cases of rape. At the same time, 1,292 cases of property crime were recorded including 1,063 larceny thefts, 122 motor vehicle thefts, 107 robberies, and five cases of arson. West Columbia, SC 29169, USA
- Summerville
Google Maps [streetview] South Carolina’s friendly Flowertown ranks number nine on the list with 140 cases of violent crime on record for 2018. Of those, 94 were aggravated assault and 19 were robberies. A total of 25 rapes were reported and two murders took place. Within that same year, property crimes in Summerville reached 1,873. Of them, 1,411 were larceny theft, 376 were robberies, 86 were motor vehicle thefts, and there were eight cases of arson. Summerville, SC, USA
- Mount Pleasant
Flickr/Wally Gobetz Mount Pleasant, population 89,733, saw no murders in 2018, so that’s great news. But the town still encountered 138 violent crimes including 113 aggravated assaults, 10 reported rapes, and 15 robberies. Property crimes were high, though, at a total of 1,221. Of them, 1,002 were larceny thefts, while 126 were robberies. The town saw a large number of motor vehicle thefts, at 93 for the year. A lone case of arson is on record in Mount Pleasant for 2018. Mount Pleasant, Mt Pleasant, SC, USA
Wikimedia/Thomson200
With a population of 112,840, this city with a gruesome history, North Charleston, tops the list of the state’s most dangerous cities, boasting higher-than-average rates of both property and violent crime, including some of the most violent crimes in South Carolina.
North Charleston, SC, USA
Wikipedia/HaloMasterMind
In recent years, Columbia’s violent crimes have skyrocketed in Columbia, South Carolina, with both violent and property crime rates (including aggravated assault and larceny) on the rise.
Columbia, SC, USA
Wikipedia/ProfReader
One of the most historic and beautiful places in South Carolina is, unfortunately, afflicted with high crime rates. The violent crimes in Charleston are much higher than average, with nearly half of all instances classified as aggravated assault. Murder, rape, and larceny rates in Charleston are unfortunately quite high, too.
Charleston, SC, USA
Wikipedia/change-of-venue
Over in the much smaller City of Greenwood (population 23,265), the city saw 392 violent crimes committed in 2018. Of those, 329 were aggravated assault, 31 were robberies, 30 rapes were reported, and two murders occurred. Greenwood’s property crimes, however, numbered 1,594 with 1,245 of them classified as larceny theft.
Greenwood, SC, USA
Wikipedia/Antony-22
Within the City of Greenville, which falls in the middle of the Top 10, 368 violent crimes occurred in 2018. Of them, 258 were aggravated assault and 74 were robberies. Greenville had 34 reported rapes and two murders in that same year. Property crimes soared to 2,810, with the majority (2,177) of them being larcey theft. Of note is the large number of motor vehicle thefts in Greenville in 2018: 230. The population was reported in the FBI stats as 69,608.
Greenville, SC, USA
Wikimedia/Charlesinsumter
Over in Sumter County, the county seat of Sumter (population 39,898) saw 366 violent crimes in 2018 — averaging slightly more than one per day. Of those, 297 were aggravated assault; 53 were robberies, 12 were rapes, and there were four murders. Property crimes far outnumbered the violent crimes with a total of 1,873. A large number of them (1,411) were classified as larceny theft; however, 86 motor vehicle thefts are on record as well as one case of arson.
Sumter, SC, USA
Google Maps [streetview]
The City of Florence falls in line very closely behind Sumter. With a similar population (37,819), Florence saw 362 violent crimes in 2018, according to the FBI statistics. The majority of them were aggravated assault but there were 18 cases of rape, 72 robberies, and eight murders. Property crimes far outnumbered the violent crimes, though. With 2,462 reported, 1,935 were classified as larceny theft, nine were arson, 375 robberies are on record, and a large number of motor vehicle thefts occurred: 152.
Florence, SC, USA
With neighboring Columbia ranked at number two based on the FBI’s statistics, West Columbia (population 17,368) falls into the ranking at number eight on the list. In 2018, West Columbia saw 181 violent crimes, of which 113 were aggravated assault and 35 were robberies. Additionally, there were three murders in the year as well as 30 reported cases of rape. At the same time, 1,292 cases of property crime were recorded including 1,063 larceny thefts, 122 motor vehicle thefts, 107 robberies, and five cases of arson.
West Columbia, SC 29169, USA
South Carolina’s friendly Flowertown ranks number nine on the list with 140 cases of violent crime on record for 2018. Of those, 94 were aggravated assault and 19 were robberies. A total of 25 rapes were reported and two murders took place. Within that same year, property crimes in Summerville reached 1,873. Of them, 1,411 were larceny theft, 376 were robberies, 86 were motor vehicle thefts, and there were eight cases of arson.
Summerville, SC, USA
Flickr/Wally Gobetz
Mount Pleasant, population 89,733, saw no murders in 2018, so that’s great news. But the town still encountered 138 violent crimes including 113 aggravated assaults, 10 reported rapes, and 15 robberies. Property crimes were high, though, at a total of 1,221. Of them, 1,002 were larceny thefts, while 126 were robberies. The town saw a large number of motor vehicle thefts, at 93 for the year. A lone case of arson is on record in Mount Pleasant for 2018.
Mount Pleasant, Mt Pleasant, SC, USA
Are you surprised by any of the cities or towns that made the list? What cities did you think would have the highest crime rates in South Carolina? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Now, for some good news: while the above list of places with the worst crime rates in South Carolina is certainly disheartening, the Palmetto State is, by and large, a safe and wonderful place to live! Need proof? Here are 10 of the best and safest cities to live in South Carolina. And for more state pride, these are just some of the many reasons we love South Carolina and think everyone should live here!
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Highest Crime Rates in South Carolina June 01, 2022 Sarah M. What are some other dangerous places in South Carolina? In addition to the cities with the highest crime rates listed above, there are some other dangerous places in South Carolina you definitely want to be aware of. These aren’t places with the worst crime rates, highest murder rates, and instances with most violent crimes in South Carolina; rather, many of the state’s most dangerous places are its roads! Take, for example, the Intersection of Broad Street and I-20 in Columbia. This intersection is the most dangerous in the state, according to the South Carolina State Highway Office. In the span of one year alone, 39 accidents occurred in the intersection, leaving 11 people injured. If this is an intersection you must cross on a regular basis, take extra care. Another dangerous road in the Palmetto State, Highway 17 has been listed as one of the most dangerous road in the country. The highway has some absolutely gorgeous stretches, but sharp curves and the presence of wildlife, such as deer (who, as we know, can jump out in front of your car from out of nowhere!) cause multiple accidents. Lastly, our beaches, while beautiful, can be quite hazardous. According to the website Shark Attack Data, there were seven shark attacks in South Carolina in 2015. All were non-fatal, but occurred while beachgoers were standing or playing in the water. One attack occurred on Myrtle Beach (pictured). While shark attacks are still rare overall, it pays to be vigilant while playing in South Carolina’s beautiful coastal waters. As with anything, arm yourself with information and knowledge when venturing out to these notoriously dangerous places in South Carolina.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Highest Crime Rates in South Carolina
June 01, 2022
Sarah M.
What are some other dangerous places in South Carolina? In addition to the cities with the highest crime rates listed above, there are some other dangerous places in South Carolina you definitely want to be aware of. These aren’t places with the worst crime rates, highest murder rates, and instances with most violent crimes in South Carolina; rather, many of the state’s most dangerous places are its roads! Take, for example, the Intersection of Broad Street and I-20 in Columbia. This intersection is the most dangerous in the state, according to the South Carolina State Highway Office. In the span of one year alone, 39 accidents occurred in the intersection, leaving 11 people injured. If this is an intersection you must cross on a regular basis, take extra care. Another dangerous road in the Palmetto State, Highway 17 has been listed as one of the most dangerous road in the country. The highway has some absolutely gorgeous stretches, but sharp curves and the presence of wildlife, such as deer (who, as we know, can jump out in front of your car from out of nowhere!) cause multiple accidents. Lastly, our beaches, while beautiful, can be quite hazardous. According to the website Shark Attack Data, there were seven shark attacks in South Carolina in 2015. All were non-fatal, but occurred while beachgoers were standing or playing in the water. One attack occurred on Myrtle Beach (pictured). While shark attacks are still rare overall, it pays to be vigilant while playing in South Carolina’s beautiful coastal waters. As with anything, arm yourself with information and knowledge when venturing out to these notoriously dangerous places in South Carolina.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
In addition to the cities with the highest crime rates listed above, there are some other dangerous places in South Carolina you definitely want to be aware of. These aren’t places with the worst crime rates, highest murder rates, and instances with most violent crimes in South Carolina; rather, many of the state’s most dangerous places are its roads! Take, for example, the Intersection of Broad Street and I-20 in Columbia. This intersection is the most dangerous in the state, according to the South Carolina State Highway Office. In the span of one year alone, 39 accidents occurred in the intersection, leaving 11 people injured. If this is an intersection you must cross on a regular basis, take extra care. Another dangerous road in the Palmetto State, Highway 17 has been listed as one of the most dangerous road in the country. The highway has some absolutely gorgeous stretches, but sharp curves and the presence of wildlife, such as deer (who, as we know, can jump out in front of your car from out of nowhere!) cause multiple accidents.
Lastly, our beaches, while beautiful, can be quite hazardous. According to the website Shark Attack Data, there were seven shark attacks in South Carolina in 2015. All were non-fatal, but occurred while beachgoers were standing or playing in the water. One attack occurred on Myrtle Beach (pictured). While shark attacks are still rare overall, it pays to be vigilant while playing in South Carolina’s beautiful coastal waters. As with anything, arm yourself with information and knowledge when venturing out to these notoriously dangerous places in South Carolina.
