Violent
Property
Total
Myrtle Beach, SC Crime Rate & Safety
FBI-verified crime statistics for 2024 | Population: 41,022
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Myrtle Beach, South Carolina Safe?
Myrtle Beach has a safety score of 1/100 (High Crime). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 6,767.1 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Myrtle Beach ranks #39 out of 40 cities in South Carolina and #2943 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 1st percentile for safety — with higher crime than 99% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in Myrtle Beach is rape, at 185.3 per 100K — 4.3x the national average.
Year over year, Myrtle Beach's total crime rate decreased by 1.8%, with violent crime rising 10.9%.
Myrtle Beach Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 456 | 1,111.6 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 5 | 12.2 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 76 | 185.3 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 71 | 173.1 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 304 | 741.1 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 2,320 | 5,655.5 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 183 | 446.1 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 1,975 | 4,814.5 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 162 | 394.9 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Myrtle Beach vs South Carolina Average
How does Myrtle Beach's crime rate compare to the South Carolina state average?
| Metric | Myrtle Beach | South Carolina Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,111.6 | 493.6 | +125.2% |
| Property Crime Rate | 5,655.5 | 2,669.0 | +111.9% |
| Murder Rate | 12.2 | 8.0 | +51.6% |
| Total Crime Rate | 6,767.1 | 3,162.7 | +114.0% |
Myrtle Beach Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
| Year | Population | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 41,022 | 6,767.1 | 1,111.6 | 5,655.5 |
| 2023 | 39,703 | 6,888.7 | 1,002.4 | 5,886.2 |
| 2022 | 38,117 | 7,765.6 | 1,044.2 | 6,721.4 |
| 2021 | 36,543 | 9,613.3 | 1,245.1 | 8,368.2 |
| 2020 | 35,658 | 10,143.6 | 1,391.0 | 8,752.6 |
| 2019 | 34,860 | 12,424.0 | 1,190.5 | 11,233.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Myrtle Beach, South Carolina safe?
Myrtle Beach has a safety score of 1/100. With a total crime rate of 6,767.1 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Myrtle Beach is higher than average in crime compared to the national average.
What is the crime rate in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina?
According to FBI data for 2024, Myrtle Beach has a violent crime rate of 1,111.6 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 5,655.5 per 100,000 residents.
How does Myrtle Beach compare to the national average?
Myrtle Beach's total crime rate of 6,767.1 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The city has a population of 41,022.
What types of crime are most common in Myrtle Beach?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Myrtle Beach include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Myrtle Beach safe to visit?
Like any city, Myrtle Beach has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 1/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.