Violent
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Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI 2024 crime data, Clemson, SC has a Safety Score of 37/100 — higher crime than 63% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 2,149.2 per 100,000 residents, ranking #1,885 of 2,971 US cities and #17 of 40 in South Carolina.
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Clemson, South Carolina Safe?
Clemson, South Carolina, a small city in Pickens County, is home to Clemson University, founded in 1889. Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, its population is predominantly young due to the university.
Clemson has a safety score of 37/100 (Higher Crime Than Average). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 2,149.2 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Clemson ranks #17 out of 40 cities in South Carolina and #1885 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 37th percentile for safety — with higher crime than 63% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in Clemson is rape, at 67.2 per 100K — 1.5x the national average. Conversely, murder is relatively low at just 0.0x the national rate.
Year over year, Clemson's total crime rate increased by 3.7%, with violent crime rising 52.8%.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Clemson Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 29 | 162.3 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 0 | 0.0 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 12 | 67.2 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 2 | 11.2 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 15 | 84.0 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 355 | 1,986.9 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 32 | 179.1 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 254 | 1,421.6 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 69 | 386.2 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Clemson vs South Carolina Average
How does Clemson's crime rate compare to the South Carolina state average?
| Metric | Clemson | South Carolina Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 162.3 | 493.6 | -67.1% |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,986.9 | 2,669.0 | -25.6% |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 8.0 | -100.0% |
| Total Crime Rate | 2,149.2 | 3,162.7 | -32.0% |
Clemson Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Clemson, South Carolina.
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 17,867 | 2,149.2 | 162.3 | 1,986.9 |
| 2023 | 17,893 | 2,073.4 | 106.2 | 1,967.3 |
| 2022 | 18,174 | 2,371.5 | 247.6 | 2,123.9 |
| 2021 | 18,220 | 2,299.7 | 186.6 | 2,113.1 |
| 2020 | 17,951 | 2,150.3 | 144.8 | 2,005.5 |
| 2019 | 17,547 | 2,604.4 | 182.4 | 2,422.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Clemson, South Carolina safe?
Clemson has a safety score of 37/100, meaning it has less crime than about 37% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 2,149.2 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Clemson is higher-crime than most US cities.
What is the crime rate in Clemson, South Carolina?
According to FBI data for 2024, Clemson has a violent crime rate of 162.3 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 1,986.9 per 100,000 residents.
How does Clemson compare to the national average?
Clemson's total crime rate of 2,149.2 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The data covers 17,867 residents.
What types of crime are most common in Clemson?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Clemson include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Clemson safe to visit?
Like any city, Clemson has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 37/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.