Is North Charleston or Sumter Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, North Charleston is safer than Sumter (Safety Score 4/100 vs 4/100), with a total crime rate of 4,767 per 100,000 versus 4,804 for Sumter — 1% lower. North Charleston has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Sumter has a 57% lower rate.
Note: North Charleston is 2.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
North Charleston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Sumter — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
North Charleston, SC
Sumter, SC
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | North Charleston | Sumter | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,767.2 | 4,803.7 | -36.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 811.3 | 1,097.5 | -286.3 |
| Murder Rate | 17.0 | 23.5 | -6.5 |
| Rape Rate | 60.7 | 23.5 | +37.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 153.0 | 65.8 | +87.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 579.7 | 984.7 | -405.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,955.9 | 3,706.1 | +249.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 323.9 | 340.8 | -16.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 3,105.8 | 2,874.2 | +231.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 526.3 | 491.2 | +35.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is North Charleston or Sumter safer?
North Charleston is safer with a total crime rate of 4,767 per 100K vs 4,804 for Sumter — a 1% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
North Charleston has a violent crime rate of 811.3 per 100K while Sumter has 1,097.5. North Charleston has lower violent crime.
About North Charleston, SC
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. With a safety score of 4/100 and a population coverage of 123,511, North Charleston has a total crime rate of 4,767.2 per 100,000 residents.
About Sumter, SC
Sumter, SC, known for Shaw Air Force Base, is a mid-sized city in the heart of South Carolina. It boasts a diverse population of over 40,000 residents. With a safety score of 4/100 and a population coverage of 42,551, Sumter has a total crime rate of 4,803.7 per 100,000 residents.