Violent
Property
Total
Beaufort, SC Crime Rate & Safety
FBI-verified crime statistics for 2024 | Population: 13,937
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Beaufort, South Carolina Safe?
Beaufort has a safety score of 22/100 (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%.
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 | Population | 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 22/100. With a total crime rate of 4,276.4 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Beaufort is higher than average in crime compared to the national average.
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 city has a population of 13,937.
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 22/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.