Top 11 Most Dangerous Cities in South Carolina (2023)
- Myrtle Beach
- Orangeburg
- Florence
- Spartanburg
- North Charleston
- Georgetown
- Columbia
- Sumter
- Greenville
- Summerville
- Charleston
1. Myrtle Beach
The most dangerous city in South Carolina is Myrtle Beach. The high crime rates in the city are in part due to Myrtle Beach’s popularity as a tourist spot. Myrtle Beach has a population of 36,000 and a crime rate that is 330% higher than the national average. The crime rate is 10,096 crimes per 100,000 people, and residents have a 1 in 10 chance of falling victim to any type of crime. In 2022, there were 458 violent crimes and 3,056 property crimes. While thousands of people safely visit Myrtle Beach each year, it’s best to stay in the tourist areas.
2. Orangeburg
Another one of the worst cities in South Carolina is Orangeburg, due to its extremely high rate of violent crime. Orangeburg is located 37 miles from Columbia, SC, and has a population of approximately 14,000. The crime rate in Orangeburg is 7,871 per 100,000 people, which is 241% higher than the national average. Violent crime is a major problem in Orangeburg with 2,035 violent crimes per 100,000 residents in 2022.
3. Florence
Florence is another one of the most dangerous cities in South Carolina. Located in Florence County, the city has a population of 39,899. Florence’s crime rate is 7,648 per 100,000 people, which is 226% higher than the US average. Residents have a roughly 1 in 14 chance of being the victim of any type of crime. In 2021, there were five murders, 41 robberies, 455 assaults, and 235 burglaries. Property crime outranks violent crime by far.
4. Spartanburg
Spartanburg is also one of the most dangerous cities in South Carolina. Spartanburg is located in the northern part of the state and has a population of 38,400. The crime rate in spartanburg is 7,639 per 100,000 people, which is 225% higher than the national average. Residents have a rougly 1 in 14 chance of falling victim to a crime. Violent crime rates are particularly high in Spartanburg, with 1,525 per 100,000 people.
5. North Charleston
Another one of the most violent cities in South Carolina is North Charleston. It has a population of 106,113 and a crime rate of 6,249 per 100,000 people. The crime rate is 166% higher than the national average, with residents having a 1 in 17 chance of becoming the victim of any crime. In 2021, there were 35 murders in the city, with other violent crimes like robbery and assault being the most common. Property crimes such as theft and motor vehicle theft are also common.
6. Georgetown
Georgetown is a dangerous South Carolina city located near the state's coastline. It has a population of 9,163 and is the third oldest cities in South Carolina. The crime rate in Georgetown is 5,712 per 100,000, which is 141% higher than the national average. In particular, the violent crime rate is 1,441 per 100,000 people, which is more than double the state average. In 2022 there were 2 murders, 8 robberies, and 105 assaults in Georgetown.
7. Columbia
Columbia is also one of the worst cities in South Carolina for crime. It is South Carolina’s capital city and has a population of 140,000 and a crime rate of 5,228 per 100,000 people. The city’s crime rate is well above the South Carolina state average and 123% higher than the national average. Violent crimes such as robbery and assault are common in the city, while property crimes like burglary and vehicle theft are common. Despite undergoing recent urban revitalization, many areas of the city remain unsafe.
8. Sumter
Sumter is another dangerous South Carolina city. Out of a population of 40,760, Sumter has a crime rate that is 110% higher than the US average. In 2021, there were 8 murders, 38 robberies, and 298 assaults. The chance of becoming the victim of a violent crime is 1 in 123. Other crimes like burglary, theft, and grand theft auto are common. The median household income in Sumter is $38,000, which is 30% lower than the national average.
9. Greenville
Greenville is also one of the worst places to live in South Carolina due to the high crime rates. Located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Greenville has a population of 70,720. The crime rate in Greenville is 4,764 per 100,000, which is 103% higher than the national average. Residents have a roughly 1 in 21 chance of being the victims of a crime in Greenville. Violent crimes such as robbery and assault are common, while other crimes like burglary and theft often occur. Despite having a higher-than-average crime rate, Greenville is a growing city that is home to many large companies.
10. Summerville
Summerville is another one of the most dangerous cities in South Carolina. Summerville is located in Dorchester County and has a population of 51,000. While Summerville’s crime rate is slightly lower than the state average, its crime rate is still 33% above the national average. On average, the city has 3,128 incidents per 100,000 people with residents having a 1 in 32 chance of being the victims of any type of crime. The most common types of crime in the city are assault, burglary, theft, and motor vehicle theft.
11. Charleston
Charleston is another popular tourist destination known for its great food and historic architecture. Charleston has a population of 150,000 with a crime rate that is 18% higher than the US average, which ranks it as the eighth most dangerous city in South Carolina. Residents have a 1 in 37 chance of falling victim to any type of crime. In 2021, there were 621 violent crimes and 3,316 property crimes. Residents have a 1 in 20 chance of falling victim to a crime in Charleston.
Most Dangerous Cities in South Carolina Bottom Line
Overall, South Carolina ranks as one of the more dangerous states with a high violent crime rate. While the state is growing and revitalizing, there are still many areas that are quite dangerous. Even though areas like Charleston and Myrtle Beach are considered unsafe, they still serve as major tourist and economic centers.