Violent
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Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI 2024 crime data, Charleston, SC has a Safety Score of 31/100 — higher crime than 69% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 2,379.3 per 100,000 residents, ranking #2,051 of 2,971 US cities and #19 of 40 in South Carolina.
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Charleston, South Carolina Safe?
Charleston, a historic port city founded in 1670, boasts cobblestone streets and antebellum architecture. Situated on a peninsula, its population is predominantly white, with a significant Black community contributing to its rich Lowcountry culture.
Charleston has a safety score of 31/100 (Higher Crime Than Average). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 2,379.3 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Charleston ranks #19 out of 40 cities in South Carolina and #2051 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 31st percentile for safety — with higher crime than 69% of US cities.
Year over year, Charleston's total crime rate decreased by 0.1%, with violent crime declining 11.7%.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Charleston Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 561 | 357.6 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 7 | 4.5 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 44 | 28.0 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 67 | 42.7 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 443 | 282.4 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 3,172 | 2,021.7 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 219 | 139.6 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 2,599 | 1,656.5 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 354 | 225.6 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Charleston vs South Carolina Average
How does Charleston's crime rate compare to the South Carolina state average?
| Metric | Charleston | South Carolina Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 357.6 | 493.6 | -27.6% |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,021.7 | 2,669.0 | -24.3% |
| Murder Rate | 4.5 | 8.0 | -44.5% |
| Total Crime Rate | 2,379.3 | 3,162.7 | -24.8% |
Charleston Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Charleston, South Carolina.
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 156,898 | 2,379.3 | 357.6 | 2,021.7 |
| 2023 | 155,159 | 2,382.1 | 404.8 | 1,977.3 |
| 2022 | 152,324 | 2,268.9 | 376.8 | 1,892.0 |
| 2021 | 141,768 | 2,682.6 | 440.9 | 2,241.7 |
| 2020 | 139,582 | 2,786.2 | 470.7 | 2,315.5 |
| 2019 | 138,254 | 2,632.8 | 373.2 | 2,259.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Charleston, South Carolina safe?
Charleston has a safety score of 31/100, meaning it has less crime than about 31% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 2,379.3 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Charleston is higher-crime than most US cities.
What is the crime rate in Charleston, South Carolina?
According to FBI data for 2024, Charleston has a violent crime rate of 357.6 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 2,021.7 per 100,000 residents.
How does Charleston compare to the national average?
Charleston's total crime rate of 2,379.3 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The data covers 156,898 residents.
What types of crime are most common in Charleston?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Charleston include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Charleston safe to visit?
Like any city, Charleston has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 31/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.