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Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI 2024 crime data, Summerville, SC has a Safety Score of 40/100 — higher crime than 60% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 1,990.5 per 100,000 residents, ranking #1,770 of 2,971 US cities and #14 of 40 in South Carolina.
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Summerville, South Carolina Safe?
Summerville, the "Flowertown in the World," is a historic town in Dorchester County, South Carolina. Known for its picturesque downtown and abundant azaleas, it lies approximately 25 miles northwest of Charleston, drawing residents seeking a suburban lifestyle.
Summerville has a safety score of 40/100 (Higher Crime Than Average). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 1,990.5 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Summerville ranks #14 out of 40 cities in South Carolina and #1770 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 40th percentile for safety — with higher crime than 60% of US cities.
Year over year, Summerville's total crime rate decreased by 43.4%, with violent crime declining 48.7%.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Summerville Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 116 | 222.4 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 2 | 3.8 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 9 | 17.3 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 11 | 21.1 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 94 | 180.3 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 922 | 1,768.0 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 51 | 97.8 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 806 | 1,545.6 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 65 | 124.7 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Summerville vs South Carolina Average
How does Summerville's crime rate compare to the South Carolina state average?
| Metric | Summerville | South Carolina Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 222.4 | 493.6 | -54.9% |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,768.0 | 2,669.0 | -33.8% |
| Murder Rate | 3.8 | 8.0 | -52.2% |
| Total Crime Rate | 1,990.5 | 3,162.7 | -37.1% |
Summerville Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Summerville, South Carolina.
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 52,148 | 1,990.5 | 222.4 | 1,768.0 |
| 2023 | 51,886 | 3,519.3 | 433.6 | 3,085.6 |
| 2022 | 51,423 | 3,111.5 | 383.1 | 2,728.4 |
| 2021 | 54,438 | 2,327.4 | 284.7 | 2,042.7 |
| 2020 | 53,711 | 3,180.0 | 351.9 | 2,828.1 |
| 2019 | 52,886 | 3,494.3 | 351.7 | 3,142.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Summerville, South Carolina safe?
Summerville has a safety score of 40/100, meaning it has less crime than about 40% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 1,990.5 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Summerville is higher-crime than most US cities.
What is the crime rate in Summerville, South Carolina?
According to FBI data for 2024, Summerville has a violent crime rate of 222.4 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 1,768.0 per 100,000 residents.
How does Summerville compare to the national average?
Summerville's total crime rate of 1,990.5 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The data covers 52,148 residents.
What types of crime are most common in Summerville?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Summerville include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Summerville safe to visit?
Like any city, Summerville has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 40/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.