South Carolina Crime Analysis for 8 Cities in SC

Table of Contents
ToggleSouth Carolina Crime Analysis: Comparing Crime Rates Across 8 Key Cities
Neighborhood Scout has reports for South Carolina. According to their website, the crime analysis for the 2022 calendar year, was released by the FBI in Oct. 2023. South Carolina’s crime statistics reveal a diverse landscape across its cities, with significant disparities in violent and property crime rates. While some cities experience elevated crime levels, others remain comparatively safer. This article examines crime rates per 1,000 residents in Clemson, Columbia, Myrtle Beach, Florence, Greenville, Rock Hill, and Hampton, focusing on violent and property crimes and identifying cities with the highest rates.
Statewide Overview
South Carolina reports a total crime rate of 28.0 per 1,000 residents, with 4.91 violent crimes per 1,000 residents and 23.08 property crimes per 1,000 residents. Property crimes, which include burglary, larceny, and motor vehicle theft, represent the bulk of offenses statewide.
Statewide Overview
In 2023, South Carolina reported decreases in several crime categories:
- Violent Crimes:
- Murder: Decreased from 517 cases in 2022 to 495 in 2023.
- Sexual Battery: Dropped from 2,414 to 2,240 cases.
- Robbery: Slight decline from 2,222 to 2,185 incidents.
- Aggravated Assault: Reduced from 22,381 to 21,462 cases.
- Property Crimes:
- Burglary: Fell from 18,722 to 17,217 incidents.
- Larceny: Decreased from 96,184 to 91,516 cases.
- Motor Vehicle Theft: Slight increase from 14,462 to 14,754 incidents.
- Arson: Increased from 675 to 700 cases.

City Comparisons: Violent Crime vs. Property Crime
- Clemson
- Violent Crime Rate: 6.76 per 1,000 residents (Higher than Columbia, Charleston, and Hampton, SC)
- Property Crime Rate: 22.24 per 1,000 residents
Clemson’s crime rates are relatively low compared to larger cities in the state, though it still experiences moderate levels of property crime.
- Columbia
- Violent Crime Rate: 5.95 per 1,000 residents (Only Charleston and Hampton are lower)
- Property Crime Rate: 29.37 per 1,000 residents
As the state capital, Columbia faces elevated property crime rates, placing it among the higher-crime cities in South Carolina.
- Charleston:
- Violent Crime Rate: 3.77 per 1,000 residents
- Property Crime Rate: 19.30 per 1,000 residents
- Myrtle Beach
- Violent Crime Rate: 17.30 per 1,000 residents (Highest of the major cities)
- Property Crime Rate: 65.60 per 1,000 residents
Myrtle Beach leads the state in both violent and property crime rates, likely due to its status as a major tourist destination. Property crime, in particular, is more than double the state average.
- Florence
- Violent Crime Rate: 10.76 per 1,000 residents
- Property Crime Rate: 40.22 per 1,000 residents
Florence experiences high rates of both violent and property crimes, making it one of the more dangerous cities in the state.
- Greenville
- Violent Crime Rate: 10.65 per 1,000 residents
- Property Crime Rate: 38.10 per 1,000 residents
Greenville’s growing urban population has contributed to increased crime rates, particularly property-related offenses.
- Rock Hill
- Violent Crime Rate: 11.06 per 1,000 residents
- Property Crime Rate: 45.07 per 1,000 residents
Rock Hill’s property crime rate is one of the highest in the state, with frequent incidents of larceny and vehicle theft.
- Hampton
- Violent Crime Rate: 4.50 per 1,000 residents
- Property Crime Rate: 18.00 per 1,000 residents
Hampton remains one of the safer cities in South Carolina, with crime rates well below state and national averages.
Leaders in Crime per 1,000
- Highest Violent Crime Rate: Myrtle Beach leads with 17.3 violent crimes per 1,000 residents, followed by Florence and Rock Hill.
- Highest Property Crime Rate: Myrtle Beach also tops the list with 65.6 property crimes per 1,000 residents, far exceeding other cities.
- Lowest Crime Rates: Hampton reports the lowest crime rates in both categories, followed by Clemson.
Conclusion
South Carolina’s overall crime rate is higher than the national average, with property crimes being a significant issue across the state. Myrtle Beach, Florence, and Rock Hill face the greatest challenges in both violent and property crimes, while Columbia and Hampton provide a safer environment for residents, per 1,000 people. Addressing these disparities requires tailored local strategies and greater community involvement to improve safety across the state. Some of the above analysis is based on the latest available data from the FBI and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division’s 2023 Crime Report.
Stay tuned with CC News Network for more in-depth reports on South Carolina’s safety and crime prevention initiatives.
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