South Carolina’s 20 Safest Cities of 2024

John Carlsen
Mar 18, 2024
bullet2 min read

Here are the 10 Safest Cities in South Carolina for 2024

See crime rates for the safest cities.

South Carolina residents share similar levels of concern about crime as the rest of the country in our State of Safety survey, and its safest cities collectively boast crime rates below national averages. But statewide, there’s more crime reported in The Palmetto State than much of the rest of the US.

In this report

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NOTE: If your city is missing from our full report, it means that it was below the population threshold or didn’t submit a complete crime report to the FBI in 2022.

2024 South Carolina crime rates

South Carolina's crime rates are higher than nationwide rates for violent crime and property crime.

Image: SafeWise

Violent crime in South Carolina increased this year, from 5.2 incidents per 1,000 people to 5.5. Property crime continued a downward trend, falling from 25.9 crimes per 1,000 people to 23.9.

South Carolina's crime rates are higher than the national rate. Across the states that met reporting requirements this year, South Carolina is seventh for violent crime and tenth for property crime.

Property crime in South Carolina: Fear vs. reality

South Carolinians experienced less property crime this survey year. Still, the statewide ranks in the top ten for most property crime.

  • 60% of respondents said they were concerned about property crime (US 52%).
  • 35% of survey participants reported an experience with property crime in the 12 months prior to the survey, compared to 27% nationwide.
  • Reported experiences with property crime rose by 25% year over year.
  • Burglaries are 31% less common in the safest cities.
  • 81% of respondents said they used some form of home protection. The most popular type is  security cameras.
  • 34% of survey respondents in South Carolina reported experiencing package theft in the last 12 months, which is just below the US average of 35%.

What security measures do South Carolinians use most?

Security measures used most in South Carolina: security cameras, security systems, and firearms.

Image: SafeWise


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What crimes are South Carolina residents most concerned about?

Bar chart showing percentages of how concerned state residents are about crime compared to the national averages for violent crime, property crime, package theft and gun violence.

Image: SafeWise

Violent crime in South Carolina: Fear vs. reality

People in South Carolina are more worried about violent crime than the average American, though reports of violent crime experiences fell 29% year over year. 

  • 35% of South Carolinians say they feel safe in their state—that's a 30% drop from the last year.
  • Respondents' experiences with violent crime incidents rank 12% higher than the nation.
  • 53% of respondents said they were worried about violent crime (US 50%).
  • Aggravated assault is the most common violent crime in South Carolina, making up 75% of all reported incidents—5% higher than the national average.
  • 15% of reported violent crimes were robberies, just below the national average (US 16%).
  • 37% say they use some form of personal protection (US 36%).
  • The most common forms of personal protection in the state are pocket knives, concealed weapons, and pepper spray. These tied for first place at 41%.

Attitudes about gun violence in South Carolina

  • 52% are most worried about a gun violence incident happening to them (US 51%).
  • Survey respondents say their gun violence experiences dropped 23% year over year—from 22% to 17%.
  • The 16 mass shooting incidents in South Carolina. There were 20 for each of the two years before.
  • South Carolina ranks eighth in its experience with gun violence.

A closer look at the safest cities in South Carolina

For the purposes of this report, the terms “dangerous” and “safest” refer explicitly to crime rates as calculated from FBI crime data—no other characterization of any community is implied or intended.

  • 75 cities met the criteria to be considered for ranking.
  • Bluffton reached the number one spot this year after ranking second the year before.
  • Seven cities in the top ten reported zero murders.
  • Ridgeland was the only city to report zero motor vehicle thefts.
  • Travelers Rest was the only city to report zero murders, rapes, and robberies. 
  • Eight cities in the top 15 were new to the safest cities list.
  • The violent crime rate in the safest cities is 3.9 incidents per 1,000 people, less than the state rate (5.5).
  • The property crime rate in the safest cities is 24.2 incidents per 1,000 people.

The 20 safest cities in South Carolina

Silhouette of South Carolina with pins marking where the safest cities are located.

Image: SafeWise

Bluffton, South Carolina
#1
Bluffton
(
+1
bullet
)
  • bullet
    Population
    36,064
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    VC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
    0.7, 0.8, 0.9
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    PC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
    6.1, 7.3, 7.2
  • bullet
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
#2
Fort Mill
(
-1
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)
  • bullet
    Population
    31,023
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    VC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
    0.6, 0.7, 1.3
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    PC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
    7.6, 6.2, 9.6
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    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Tega Cay, South Carolina
#3
Tega Cay
(
+1
bullet
)
  • bullet
    Population
    13,607
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    VC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
    0.4, 0.6, 0.4
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    PC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
    10.8, 14.0, 19.0
  • bullet
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Ridgeland, South Carolina
#4
Ridgeland
(
New
)
  • bullet
    Population
    3,680
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    VC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
    0.8, N/A, 1.8
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    PC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
    12.8, N/A, 17.7
  • bullet
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Clover, South Carolina
#5
Clover
(
New
)
  • bullet
    Population
    7,153
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    VC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
    1.1, N/A, 3.9
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    PC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
    12.4, N/A, 20.9
  • bullet
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Lyman, South Carolina on map
#6
Lyman
(
New
)
  • bullet
    Population
    6,437
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    VC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
    2.6, N/A, 4.0
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    PC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
    8.2, N/A, 19.9
  • bullet
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Mount Pleasant, South Carolina
#7
Mount Pleasant
(
-4
bullet
)
  • bullet
    Population
    93,951
  • bullet
    VC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
    1.2, 1.0, 1.0
  • bullet
    PC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
    13.7, 11.2, 13.3
  • bullet
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
#8
Central
(
New
)
  • bullet
    Population
    5,335
  • bullet
    VC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
    0.2, N/A, 0.6
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    PC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
    17.6, N/A, 19.6
  • bullet
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Port Royal, South Carolina
#9
Port Royal
(
-3
bullet
)
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    Population
    13,430
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    VC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
    2.5, 3.1, 2.7
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    PC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
    12.7, 12.9, 15.0
  • bullet
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Isle of Palms, South Carolina
#10
Isle of Palms
(
New
)
  • bullet
    Population
    4,284
  • bullet
    VC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
    2.8, N/A, 1.6
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    PC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
    12.8, N/A, 13.0
  • bullet
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
#11
Duncan
(
New
)
  • bullet
    Population
    4,241
  • bullet
    VC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
    2.6, N/A, 3.0
  • bullet
    PC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
    15.3, N/A, 17.7
  • bullet
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
#12
Lexington
(
+1
bullet
)
  • bullet
    Population
    24,880
  • bullet
    VC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
    2.5, 2.8, 2.1
  • bullet
    PC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
    16.6, 24.2, 21.8
  • bullet
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
#13
Walhalla
(
New
)
  • bullet
    Population
    4,121
  • bullet
    VC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
    2.7, N/A, 1.8
  • bullet
    PC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
    16.7, N/A, 7.3
  • bullet
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
#14
Honea Path
(
New
)
  • bullet
    Population
    3,793
  • bullet
    VC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
    2.6, N/A, 5.7
  • bullet
    PC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
    17.1, N/A, 52.9
  • bullet
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Clemson, South Carolina
#15
Clemson
(
-6
bullet
)
  • bullet
    Population
    18,174
  • bullet
    VC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
    2.1, 1.9, 1.4
  • bullet
    PC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
    19.6, 21.0, 20.0
  • bullet
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Hanahan, South Carolina
#16
Hanahan
(
-6
bullet
)
  • bullet
    Population
    22,320
  • bullet
    VC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
    4.0, 2.6, 2.2
  • bullet
    PC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
    14.7, 12.9, 11.6
  • bullet
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Goose Creek, South Carolina
#17
Goose Creek
(
-9
bullet
)
  • bullet
    Population
    46,665
  • bullet
    VC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
    2.9, 2.8, N/A
  • bullet
    PC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
    18.3, 17.1, N/A
  • bullet
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Greer, South Carolina
#18
Greer
(
-3
bullet
)
  • bullet
    Population
    42,196
  • bullet
    VC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
    2.5, 2.4, 2.8
  • bullet
    PC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
    20.3, 27.4, 30.6
  • bullet
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Mauldin, South Carolina
#19
Mauldin
(
-12
bullet
)
  • bullet
    Population
    26,576
  • bullet
    VC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
    2.9, 1.9, 2.6
  • bullet
    PC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
    19.1, 17.6, 19.7
  • bullet
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
#20
North Augusta
(
-9
bullet
)
  • bullet
    Population
    24,957
  • bullet
    VC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
    1.7, 2.0, 2.0
  • bullet
    PC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
    23.0, 23.1, 29.9
  • bullet
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime

How we determined the safest cities

Learn how we identified the safest cities on our methodology page.

How to make a safe home anywhere

Over 6 in 10 Americans surveyed don't have a home security system, despite over 50% of all burglaries being residential. Unfortunately, a majority of people who have a security system added it after they had a break-in. One of the best ways to stop a burglary before it happens—and get immediate help if a break-in is detected—is to add a monitored home security system.

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Get a home security system

Find out which companies we recommend for every budget and lifestyle in our roundup of the Best Home Security Systems—and learn the basics with our guide on Everything You Need to Know About Home Security

Find security and safety resources in your area

Find the safest cities in each state

Click on the state image or dropdown menu below to check out the safest cities for each state.

Related articles on SafeWise


Endnotes and sources

Find all endnotes and sources in our full methodology.

FBI Crime Data Explorer, "Documents & Downloads." Accessed March 18, 2024.

  • 2022 and 2021 Crime in the United States Annual Reports
    • Offenses Known to Law Enforcement
  • 2022 NIBRS Estimation Tables

Bureau of Justice Statistics, "National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS)." Accessed March 18, 2024.

Gun Violence Archive, "Mass Shootings." Accessed March 18, 2023.

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John Carlsen
Written by
John Carlsen
John is a technology journalist specializing in smart home devices, security cameras, and home security systems. He has over a decade of experience researching, testing, and reviewing the latest tech—he was the Smart Home Editor for Top Ten Reviews and wrote for ASecureLife before joining SafeWise as a Staff Writer in 2020. John holds a Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism emphasis from Utah Valley University. In his spare time, he enjoys hiking, photography, cooking, and starting countless DIY projects he has yet to complete.

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