Violent
Property
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Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI 2024 crime data, Aiken, SC has a Safety Score of 5/100 — higher crime than 95% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 4,527.3 per 100,000 residents, ranking #2,810 of 2,971 US cities and #32 of 40 in South Carolina.
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Aiken, South Carolina Safe?
Aiken, South Carolina, a city in Aiken County, is known for its historic Winter Colony estates. Located in the western part of the state, it boasts a population of over 32,000 residents.
Aiken has a safety score of 5/100 (High Crime). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 4,527.3 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Aiken ranks #32 out of 40 cities in South Carolina and #2810 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 5th percentile for safety — with higher crime than 95% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in Aiken is larceny-theft, at 3,404.5 per 100K — 2.1x the national average. Conversely, motor vehicle theft is relatively low at just 0.6x the national rate.
Year over year, Aiken's total crime rate increased by 20.3%, with violent crime rising 76.9%.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Aiken Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 189 | 568.9 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 4 | 12.0 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 19 | 57.2 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 20 | 60.2 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 146 | 439.5 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 1,315 | 3,958.3 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 113 | 340.2 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 1,131 | 3,404.5 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 71 | 213.7 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Aiken vs South Carolina Average
How does Aiken's crime rate compare to the South Carolina state average?
| Metric | Aiken | South Carolina Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 568.9 | 493.6 | +15.3% |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,958.3 | 2,669.0 | +48.3% |
| Murder Rate | 12.0 | 8.0 | +49.8% |
| Total Crime Rate | 4,527.3 | 3,162.7 | +43.1% |
Aiken Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Aiken, South Carolina.
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 33,221 | 4,527.3 | 568.9 | 3,958.3 |
| 2023 | 32,644 | 3,761.8 | 321.7 | 3,440.1 |
| 2022 | 31,985 | 4,095.7 | 600.3 | 3,495.4 |
| 2021 | 31,270 | 4,461.1 | 668.4 | 3,792.8 |
| 2020 | 31,007 | 5,669.7 | 809.5 | 4,860.2 |
| 2019 | 30,922 | 5,423.3 | 575.6 | 4,847.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Aiken, South Carolina safe?
Aiken has a safety score of 5/100, meaning it has less crime than about 5% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 4,527.3 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Aiken is among the highest-crime US cities.
What is the crime rate in Aiken, South Carolina?
According to FBI data for 2024, Aiken has a violent crime rate of 568.9 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 3,958.3 per 100,000 residents.
How does Aiken compare to the national average?
Aiken's total crime rate of 4,527.3 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The data covers 33,221 residents.
What types of crime are most common in Aiken?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Aiken include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Aiken safe to visit?
Like any city, Aiken has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 5/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.