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Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI 2024 crime data, North Charleston, SC has a Safety Score of 4/100 — higher crime than 96% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 4,767.2 per 100,000 residents, ranking #2,846 of 2,971 US cities and #34 of 40 in South Carolina.
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is North Charleston, South Carolina Safe?
North Charleston, a city with a rich naval history, lies in the heart of the Lowcountry. It's home to a diverse population exceeding 115,000 residents, spanning both Charleston and Dorchester counties.
North Charleston has a safety score of 4/100 (High Crime). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 4,767.2 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
North Charleston ranks #34 out of 40 cities in South Carolina and #2846 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 4th percentile for safety — with higher crime than 96% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in North Charleston is murder, at 17.0 per 100K — 2.7x the national average.
Year over year, North Charleston's total crime rate decreased by 14.9%, with violent crime declining 12.3%.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
North Charleston Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 1,002 | 811.3 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 21 | 17.0 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 75 | 60.7 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 189 | 153.0 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 716 | 579.7 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 4,886 | 3,955.9 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 400 | 323.9 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 3,836 | 3,105.8 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 650 | 526.3 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
North Charleston vs South Carolina Average
How does North Charleston's crime rate compare to the South Carolina state average?
| Metric | North Charleston | South Carolina Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 811.3 | 493.6 | +64.3% |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,955.9 | 2,669.0 | +48.2% |
| Murder Rate | 17.0 | 8.0 | +111.4% |
| Total Crime Rate | 4,767.2 | 3,162.7 | +50.7% |
North Charleston Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for North Charleston, South Carolina.
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 123,511 | 4,767.2 | 811.3 | 3,955.9 |
| 2023 | 120,162 | 5,599.1 | 924.6 | 4,674.5 |
| 2022 | 119,198 | 5,773.6 | 948.8 | 4,824.8 |
| 2021 | 121,060 | 6,100.3 | 1,027.6 | 5,072.7 |
| 2020 | 117,503 | 6,335.2 | 1,160.0 | 5,175.2 |
| 2019 | 115,312 | 6,986.3 | 966.9 | 6,019.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is North Charleston, South Carolina safe?
North Charleston has a safety score of 4/100, meaning it has less crime than about 4% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 4,767.2 per 100,000 residents in 2024, North Charleston is among the highest-crime US cities.
What is the crime rate in North Charleston, South Carolina?
According to FBI data for 2024, North Charleston has a violent crime rate of 811.3 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 3,955.9 per 100,000 residents.
How does North Charleston compare to the national average?
North Charleston's total crime rate of 4,767.2 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The data covers 123,511 residents.
What types of crime are most common in North Charleston?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in North Charleston include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is North Charleston safe to visit?
Like any city, North Charleston has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 4/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.