Violent
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Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI 2024 crime data, Beaufort, SC has a Safety Score of 7/100 — higher crime than 93% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 4,276.4 per 100,000 residents, ranking #2,770 of 2,971 US cities and #30 of 40 in South Carolina.
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Beaufort, South Carolina Safe?
Beaufort, South Carolina, a historic coastal city founded in 1711, is the second-oldest city in the state. Situated on Port Royal Island, it's home to a diverse population of roughly 13,000 residents.
Beaufort has a safety score of 7/100 (High Crime). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 4,276.4 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Beaufort ranks #30 out of 40 cities in South Carolina and #2770 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 7th percentile for safety — with higher crime than 93% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in Beaufort is larceny-theft, at 3,078.1 per 100K — 1.9x the national average. Conversely, motor vehicle theft is relatively low at just 0.5x the national rate.
Year over year, Beaufort's total crime rate increased by 1.6%, with violent crime rising 40.5%.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Beaufort Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 98 | 703.2 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 1 | 7.2 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 7 | 50.2 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 15 | 107.6 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 74 | 531.0 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 498 | 3,573.2 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 45 | 322.9 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 429 | 3,078.1 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 24 | 172.2 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Beaufort vs South Carolina Average
How does Beaufort's crime rate compare to the South Carolina state average?
| Metric | Beaufort | South Carolina Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 703.2 | 493.6 | +42.4% |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,573.2 | 2,669.0 | +33.9% |
| Murder Rate | 7.2 | 8.0 | -10.7% |
| Total Crime Rate | 4,276.4 | 3,162.7 | +35.2% |
Beaufort Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Beaufort, South Carolina.
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 13,937 | 4,276.4 | 703.2 | 3,573.2 |
| 2023 | 13,786 | 4,207.2 | 500.5 | 3,706.7 |
| 2022 | 13,003 | 3,383.8 | 330.7 | 3,053.1 |
| 2021 | 13,293 | 3,911.8 | 361.1 | 3,550.7 |
| 2020 | 13,561 | 3,996.8 | 486.7 | 3,510.1 |
| 2019 | 13,485 | 3,841.3 | 430.1 | 3,411.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Beaufort, South Carolina safe?
Beaufort has a safety score of 7/100, meaning it has less crime than about 7% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 4,276.4 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Beaufort is among the highest-crime US cities.
What is the crime rate in Beaufort, South Carolina?
According to FBI data for 2024, Beaufort has a violent crime rate of 703.2 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 3,573.2 per 100,000 residents.
How does Beaufort compare to the national average?
Beaufort's total crime rate of 4,276.4 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The data covers 13,937 residents.
What types of crime are most common in Beaufort?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Beaufort include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Beaufort safe to visit?
Like any city, Beaufort has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 7/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.