Most Dangerous Cities in South Carolina 2024

According to NIBRS, Violent crime in the United States is most likely to be committed in urban areas, Violent crime field is made up of rape, robbery, aggravated assault, and murder. North Charleston being most populous city in South Carolina registered 4,690 number of Violent cases other high crime rate cities include Orangeburg, Darlington, Clinton, Cayce, Hartsville, Myrtle Beach, Camden, Union, Georgetown and Spartanburg. To determine the most dangerous cities in South Carolina in 2024, we have reviewed the number of violent crimes reported in 2022, 2021, 2020 and 2019 per 1,000 residents, with data from the Uniform Crime Reporting Program.

Rank	Cities	Population	Violent Crimes	Violent Crimes	Violent Crimes	Change	Crime Rate
		2021	2019	2020	2021	2020 - 2021	per 1000 persons
1	Orangeburg	12,335	-	658	763	105	61.86
2	Darlington	5,856	87	322	337	15	57.55
3	Clinton	8,288	66	406	449	43	54.17
4	Cayce	14,088	138	544	739	195	52.46
5	Hartsville	7,454	108	355	377	22	50.58
6	Myrtle Beach	36,543	415	1,694	1,802	108	49.31
7	Camden	7,335	86	273	331	58	45.13
8	Union	7,458	76	315	332	17	44.52
9	Georgetown	8,753	107	299	378	79	43.19
10	Spartanburg	37,375	448	1,466	1,607	141	43.00
11	Florence	38,521	447	1,614	1,590	-24	41.28
12	Beaufort	13,293	58	443	542	99	40.77
13	North Myrtle Beach	17,648	71	611	716	105	40.57
14	Walterboro	5,303	21	242	214	-28	40.35
15	York	8,728	67	276	348	72	39.87
16	Cheraw	5,527	61	233	219	-14	39.62
17	North Charleston	121,060	1,114	4,481	4,690	209	38.74
18	Batesburg-Leesville	5,405	61	181	199	18	36.82
19	Sumter	39,328	418	1,364	1,395	31	35.47
20	Greenwood	23,369	350	915	824	-91	35.26
21	Marion	6,136	55	276	215	-61	35.04
22	Seneca	8,611	50	333	261	-72	30.31
23	Moncks Corner	13,108	55	276	378	102	28.84
24	Aiken	31,270	178	829	893	64	28.56
25	Anderson	27,831	-	-	781	-	28.06
26	Laurens	8,835	80	-	242	-	27.39
27	Forest Acres	10,261	64	347	276	-71	26.90
28	Bennettsville	7,301	53	211	178	-33	24.38
29	West Columbia	18,257	127	536	443	-93	24.26
30	Easley	21,789	98	521	518	-3	23.77
31	Newberry	10,119	72	314	213	-101	21.05
32	Fountain Inn	11,306	45	279	228	-51	20.17
33	Hardeeville	9,332	53	140	168	28	18.00
34	Summerville	54,438	186	1,184	973	-211	17.87
35	Greenville	73,653	402	1,316	1,288	-28	17.49
36	Conway	27,781	111	399	478	79	17.21
37	Goose Creek	45,901	-	-	738	-	16.08
38	Simpsonville	26,077	46	392	407	15	15.61
39	Lexington	23,161	72	295	341	46	14.72
40	Port Royal	14,970	40	194	217	23	14.50
41	Charleston	141,768	516	1,863	2,019	156	14.24
42	Irmo	12,902	39	228	178	-50	13.80
43	Columbia	132,255	1,037	2,244	1,817	-427	13.74
44	Mauldin	25,808	57	299	284	-15	11.00
45	Hanahan	29,582	55	284	318	34	10.75
46	Greer	36,423	143	336	357	21	9.80
47	Clemson	18,220	32	168	172	4	9.44
48	Clover	6,992	19	76	59	-17	8.44
49	North Augusta	24,435	55	252	188	-64	7.69
50	Travelers Rest	8,297	5	58	54	-4	6.51
51	Fort Mill	26,923	22	196	175	-21	6.50
52	Tega Cay	12,178	5	37	74	37	6.08
53	Bluffton	30,519	46	205	153	-52	5.01
54	Mount Pleasant	95,657	105	535	422	-113	4.41

Top 10 most dangerous cities in South Carolina

The top ten in most dangerous cities in South Carolina in 2023 are Orangeburg, Darlington, Clinton, Cayce, Hartsville, Myrtle Beach, Camden, Union, Georgetown and Spartanburg. In any city Crime will not be everywhere, Most of the Crime is often concentrated in some of the neighbourhoods, we listed few cities to take extra care when you plan to move to the city and the area.

Orangeburg population is 12,335. There are 763 crime cases in 2021, It is the most dangerous cities in South Carolina by 2023, Violent crime occur at the rate of about 61.86 per 1000 residents in 2021. Myrtle Beach recorded 9 Homicides, 23 Kidnapping, 111 sex offenses, 49 Rape cases, and in the crime against property there were 10 Arson, 297 Motor vehicle theft, 96 Robbery, 1,636 Drug/Narcotic offenses.

Darlington population is 5,856. There are 337 crime cases in 2021, It is the second most dangerous cities in South Carolina by 2023, Violent crime occur at the rate of about 57.55 per 1000 residents in 2021. Darlington recorded 5 Homicides, 2 sex offenses, 1 Rape cases, and in the crime against property there were 23 Motor vehicle theft, 4 Robbery, 145 Drug/Narcotic offenses.

Clinton population is 8,288. There are 449 crime cases in 2021, It is the third most dangerous cities in South Carolina by 2023, Violent crime occur at the rate of about 54.17 per 1000 residents in 2021. Clinton recorded 1 Homicides, 7 Kidnapping, 18 sex offenses, 10 Rape cases, and in the crime against property there were 2 Arson, 25 Motor vehicle theft, 6 Robbery, 203 Drug/Narcotic offenses.

Cayce population is 14,088. There are 739 crime cases in 2021, It is the fourth most dangerous cities in South Carolina by 2023, Violent crime occur at the rate of about 52.46 per 1000 residents in 2021. Cayce recorded 2 Homicides, 7 Kidnapping, 18 sex offenses, 7 Rape cases, and in the crime against property there were 1 Arson, 66 Motor vehicle theft, 9 Robbery, 90 Drug/Narcotic offenses.

Hartsville population is 7,454. There are 377 crime cases in 2021, It is the fifth most dangerous cities in South Carolina by 2023, Violent crime occur at the rate of about 50.58 per 1000 residents in 2021. Hartsville recorded 2 Homicides, 12 Kidnapping, 7 sex offenses, 1 Rape cases, and in the crime against property there were 3 Arson, 30 Motor vehicle theft, 11 Robbery, 325 Drug/Narcotic offenses.

Myrtle Beach population is 36,543. There are 1,802 crime cases in 2021, It is the sixth most dangerous cities in South Carolina by 2023, Violent crime occur at the rate of about 49.31 per 1000 residents in 2021.

Camden population is 7,335. There are 331 crime cases in 2021, It is the seventh most dangerous cities in South Carolina by 2023, Violent crime occur at the rate of about 45.13 per 1000 residents in 2021. Camden recorded 4 Homicides, 10 Kidnapping, 12 sex offenses, 5 Rape cases, and in the crime against property there were 1 Arson, 22 Motor vehicle theft, 9 Robbery, 146 Drug/Narcotic offenses.

Union population is 7,458. There are 332 crime cases in 2021, It is the eighth most dangerous cities in South Carolina by 2023, Violent crime occur at the rate of about 44.52 per 1000 residents in 2021. Union recorded 1 Homicides, 2 Kidnapping, 14 sex offenses, 8 Rape cases, and in the crime against property there were 3 Arson, 23 Motor vehicle theft, 2 Robbery, 148 Drug/Narcotic offenses.

Georgetown population is 8,753. There are 378 crime cases in 2021, It is the ninth most dangerous cities in South Carolina by 2023, Violent crime occur at the rate of about 43.19 per 1000 residents in 2021. Georgetown recorded 2 Homicides, 13 sex offenses, 7 Rape cases, and in the crime against property there were 2 Arson, 30 Motor vehicle theft, 6 Robbery, 103 Drug/Narcotic offenses.

Spartanburg population is 37,375. There are 1,607 crime cases in 2021, It is the tenth most dangerous cities in South Carolina by 2023, Violent crime occur at the rate of about 43.00 per 1000 residents in 2021. Spartanburg recorded 10 Homicides, 25 Kidnapping, 35 sex offenses, 24 Rape cases, and in the crime against property there were 8 Arson, 211 Motor vehicle theft, 78 Robbery, 292 Drug/Narcotic offenses.

Florence population is 38,521. There are 1,590 crime cases in 2021, It is the eleventh most dangerous cities in South Carolina by 2023, Violent crime occur at the rate of about 41.28 per 1000 residents in 2021. Florence recorded 5 Homicides, 21 Kidnapping, 43 sex offenses, 22 Rape cases, and in the crime against property there were 8 Arson, 159 Motor vehicle theft, 42 Robbery, 509 Drug/Narcotic offenses.

Beaufort population is 13,293. There are 542 crime cases in 2021, It is the twelfth most dangerous cities in South Carolina by 2023, Violent crime occur at the rate of about 40.77 per 1000 residents in 2021. Beaufort recorded 1 Homicides, 3 Kidnapping, 4 sex offenses, and in the crime against property there were 1 Arson, 22 Motor vehicle theft, 10 Robbery, 100 Drug/Narcotic offenses.

North Myrtle Beach population is 17,648. There are 716 crime cases in 2021, It is the thirteenth most dangerous cities in South Carolina by 2023, Violent crime occur at the rate of about 40.57 per 1000 residents in 2021. North Myrtle Beach recorded 1 Homicides, 2 Kidnapping, 27 sex offenses, 16 Rape cases, and in the crime against property there were 4 Arson, 90 Motor vehicle theft, 6 Robbery, 322 Drug/Narcotic offenses.

Walterboro population is 5,303. There are 214 crime cases in 2021, It is the fourteenth most dangerous cities in South Carolina by 2023, Violent crime occur at the rate of about 40.35 per 1000 residents in 2021. Walterboro recorded 5 Homicides, 1 Kidnapping, 5 sex offenses, 2 Rape cases, and in the crime against property there were 2 Arson, 25 Motor vehicle theft, 4 Robbery, 94 Drug/Narcotic offenses.

York population is 8,728. There are 348 crime cases in 2021, It is the fifteenth most dangerous cities in South Carolina by 2023, Violent crime occur at the rate of about 39.87 per 1000 residents in 2021. York recorded 1 Homicides, 4 Kidnapping, 5 sex offenses, 2 Rape cases, and in the crime against property there were 3 Arson, 25 Motor vehicle theft, 4 Robbery, 91 Drug/Narcotic offenses.

Cheraw population is 5,527. There are 219 crime cases in 2021, It is the sixteenth most dangerous cities in South Carolina by 2023, Violent crime occur at the rate of about 39.62 per 1000 residents in 2021. Cheraw recorded 2 Kidnapping, 5 sex offenses, 2 Rape cases, and in the crime against property there were 33 Motor vehicle theft, 9 Robbery, 37 Drug/Narcotic offenses.

North Charleston population is 121,060. There are 4,690 crime cases in 2021, It is the seventeenth most dangerous cities in South Carolina by 2023, Violent crime occur at the rate of about 38.74 per 1000 residents in 2021. North Charleston recorded 35 Homicides, 15 Kidnapping, 136 sex offenses, 59 Rape cases, and in the crime against property there were 14 Arson, 758 Motor vehicle theft, 257 Robbery, 915 Drug/Narcotic offenses.

Batesburg-Leesville population is 5,405. There are 199 crime cases in 2021, Violent crime occur at the rate of about 36.82 per 1000 residents in 2021. Batesburg-Leesville recorded 14 sex offenses, 10 Rape cases, and in the crime against property there were 12 Motor vehicle theft, 2 Robbery, 82 Drug/Narcotic offenses.

Greenwood population is 23,369. There are 824 crime cases in 2021, Violent crime occur at the rate of about 35.26 per 1000 residents in 2021. Greenwood recorded 20 Homicides, 8 Kidnapping, 32 sex offenses, 19 Rape cases, and in the crime against property there were 2 Arson, 42 Motor vehicle theft, 21 Robbery, 627 Drug/Narcotic offenses.

Marion population is 6,136. There are 215 crime cases in 2021, Violent crime occur at the rate of about 35.04 per 1000 residents in 2021. Marion recorded 2 Kidnapping, 5 sex offenses, 1 Rape cases, and in the crime against property there were 1 Arson, 23 Motor vehicle theft, 12 Robbery, 83 Drug/Narcotic offenses.

South Carolina Offenses(Crime/Property/Social) in 2021

Below are the South Carolina Offenses in 2021, detailed by Violent and Property Crimes, Violent cases include Assault, Homicides, Sex Offences, Rape, Arson, Motor Vehicle Theft, Robbery, Drug and Narcotic cases. Property Crimes in South Carolina include Burglary, Breaking, Property Vandalism, Arson, Motor Vehicle Theft and other offenses.

Rank (Total Offenses)	Cities	Population (2021)	Violent Crime	Property Crimes	Total Offenses	Assault	Homicide	Kidnappings	Sex Offenses	Rape	Arson	Motor Vehicle Theft	Robbery	Drug/Narcotic	Total Offenses per 1000
1	Myrtle Beach	36,543	1,802	4,494	8,260	1,656	9	23	111	49	10	297	96	1,636	226.04
2	Hartsville	7,454	377	751	1,616	356	2	12	7	1	3	30	11	325	216.80
3	Darlington	5,856	337	515	1,030	330	5	0	2	1	0	23	4	145	175.89
4	Walterboro	5,303	214	569	923	203	5	1	5	2	2	25	4	94	174.05
5	Orangeburg	12,335	763	1,138	2,097	742	3	3	15	5	3	51	17	115	170.00
6	Clinton	8,288	449	581	1,401	423	1	7	18	10	2	25	6	203	169.04
7	Camden	7,335	331	605	1,192	305	4	10	12	5	1	22	9	146	162.51
8	Spartanburg	37,375	1,607	3,659	5,838	1,537	10	25	35	24	8	211	78	292	156.20
9	Marion	6,136	215	641	958	208	0	2	5	1	1	23	12	83	156.13
10	Union	7,458	332	627	1,158	315	1	2	14	8	3	23	2	148	155.27
11	North Myrtle Beach	17,648	716	1,568	2,719	685	1	2	27	16	4	90	6	322	154.07
12	Florence	38,521	1,590	3,219	5,596	1,521	5	21	43	22	8	159	42	509	145.27
13	Greenwood	23,369	824	1,726	3,346	764	20	8	32	19	2	42	21	627	143.18
14	Cayce	14,088	739	1,088	2,004	711	2	7	18	7	1	66	9	90	142.25
15	Anderson	27,831	781	2,514	3,846	752	0	5	24	11	10	189	12	428	138.19
16	Georgetown	8,753	378	621	1,191	363	2	0	13	7	2	30	6	103	136.07
17	Batesburg-Leesville	5,405	199	295	727	185	0	0	14	10	0	12	2	82	134.51
18	Cheraw	5,527	219	458	729	212	0	2	5	2	0	33	9	37	131.90
19	North Charleston	121,060	4,690	9,039	15,203	4,504	35	15	136	59	14	758	257	915	125.58
20	York	8,728	348	575	1,072	338	1	4	5	2	3	25	4	91	122.82
21	Beaufort	13,293	542	729	1,487	534	1	3	4	0	1	22	10	100	111.86
22	West Columbia	18,257	443	1,418	2,039	420	4	5	14	0	3	109	32	105	111.68
23	Aiken	31,270	893	1,893	3,457	802	12	8	69	11	4	89	32	506	110.55
24	Forest Acres	10,261	276	679	1,116	268	0	4	4	2	0	27	12	103	108.76
25	Laurens	8,835	242	441	953	233	1	4	4	3	2	23	5	189	107.87
26	Greenville	73,653	1,288	4,303	7,885	1,185	13	21	67	25	6	270	71	1,358	107.06
27	Easley	21,789	518	1,334	2,313	505	0	6	7	1	4	76	13	281	106.15
28	Sumter	39,328	1,395	2,077	3,783	1,368	8	3	16	5	3	88	38	194	96.19
29	Lexington	23,161	341	972	2,082	327	0	4	10	4	2	36	7	407	89.89
30	Seneca	8,611	261	357	774	255	0	0	6	2	1	19	3	111	89.89
31	Newberry	10,119	213	403	862	197	1	2	13	8	0	15	5	142	85.19
32	Columbia	132,255	1,817	8,494	10,971	1,600	25	57	134	74	9	583	177	274	82.95
33	Moncks Corner	13,108	378	528	1,079	350	4	9	15	4	0	26	6	96	82.32
34	Fountain Inn	11,306	228	478	928	217	0	2	9	3	1	31	7	104	82.08
35	Conway	27,781	478	1,216	2,273	451	3	13	11	9	1	53	19	448	81.82
36	Bennettsville	7,301	178	371	596	167	1	1	9	4	2	7	8	25	81.63
37	Summerville	54,438	973	1,726	4,124	946	0	9	18	14	0	97	12	787	75.76
38	Simpsonville	26,077	407	1,119	1,890	383	2	5	17	10	3	62	11	205	72.48
39	Hardeeville	9,332	168	294	636	154	1	7	6	3	0	21	3	131	68.15
40	Charleston	141,768	2,019	5,092	9,152	1,852	20	15	129	58	19	473	89	1,252	64.56
41	Irmo	12,902	178	557	789	171	0	1	6	1	1	29	2	42	61.15
42	Greer	36,423	357	1,417	2,059	333	1	10	13	5	5	112	14	218	56.53
43	Goose Creek	45,901	738	1,298	2,495	702	5	4	27	16	4	73	21	253	54.36
44	Travelers Rest	8,297	54	313	442	47	0	0	7	0	0	16	1	69	53.27
45	Mauldin	25,808	284	723	1,347	266	2	3	13	6	1	68	9	174	52.19
46	Clemson	18,220	172	578	927	158	0	3	11	9	2	46	3	158	50.88
47	North Augusta	24,435	188	816	1,191	168	4	7	9	9	0	41	13	132	48.74
48	Tega Cay	12,178	74	281	585	71	0	1	2	0	0	4	1	188	48.04
49	Clover	6,992	59	116	330	54	0	1	4	2	1	9	2	103	47.20
50	Port Royal	14,970	217	338	678	208	1	1	7	5	0	11	7	107	45.29
51	Hanahan	29,582	318	581	1,023	286	1	11	19	10	1	50	17	85	34.58
52	Bluffton	30,519	153	371	830	147	1	1	4	2	0	23	4	216	27.20
53	Mount Pleasant	95,657	422	1,538	2,370	392	1	1	28	6	0	81	9	258	24.78
54	Fort Mill	26,923	175	312	587	170	0	0	4	3	2	15	1	77	21.80

Crime data in South Carolina State Universities

Rank (Total Offenses)	Universities	Population (2021)	Violent Crime	Property Crimes	Total Offenses	Assault	Sex Offenses	Rape	Arson	Motor Vehicle Theft	Robbery	Drug/Narcotic	Total Offenses per 1000
1	Medical University of South Carolina	3,458	104	166	272	94	10	1	0	11	1	1	78.66
2	University of South Carolina, Columbia	38,526	44	317	827	40	4	1	1	20	1	277	21.47
3	Coastal Carolina University	11,870	37	152	244	36	1	1	0	2	0	32	20.56
4	Clemson University	28,933	29	233	425	23	6	4	0	12	0	92	14.69
5	University of South Carolina, Beaufort	2,480	4	18	32	3	1	1	0	0	0	10	12.90
6	The Citadel	4,409	10	42	53	8	2	1	0	1	0	0	12.02
7	University of South Carolina, Upstate	7,421	1	5	21	0	1	1	0	1	0	9	2.83