10 Most Dangerous Cities in South Carolina

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While South Carolina may be famous for its pleasant weather, gorgeous white sand beaches, charming parks, and lively festivals, it is actually the state’s well-regarded southern hospitality, vibrant culture, delectable cuisine, and laid-back way of life (which predated the current “slow living” trend) that motivates individuals to contemplate relocating to South Carolina.

However, despite its beautiful beaches and the hospitality of the residents, South Carolina is in the country’s top 10 most dangerous states.

10 Most Dangerous Cities in South Carolina

Let’s look at the 10 most dangerous cities in this state.

Orangeburg

With a population of 12,779 residents, Orangeburg has a crime index of 0, meaning that 100% of the communities in the state are safer than this city.

When it comes to violent crimes, Orangeburg’s rate – including crimes like rape, murder, non-negligent manslaughter, armed robbery, and assault – is among the highest in the nation.

Additionally, a significant portion of the criminal activity occurring in Orangeburg is related to property crimes such as burglary, larceny, motor vehicle theft, and arson.

The chances of becoming the victim of a property crime in Orangeburg are 1 in 17.

Darlington

With a population of fewer than 7000 residents, Darlington ranks as the second most hazardous city in South Carolina.

The city has a crime index of 1 out of 100, meaning that it is only safer than 1% of the communities in the state.

Darlington has a crime rate of 65 per 1000 residents, with one’s chance of becoming the victim of a crime is 1 in 15.

According to residents, the safest area of the city is the northwest, while the northern neighborhoods are the most dangerous.

Myrtle Beach

With a population of 38,253 residents, Myrtle Beach is in the 15th percentile for safety, indicating that only 15% of cities are more dangerous.

On average, the crime rate in Myrtle Beach is 51.08 per 1,000 residents.

However, depending on which part of the city you live in, your chances of being a victim of crime in Myrtle Beach can vary significantly.

For example, in the eastern neighborhoods, the likelihood of being a victim of crime may be as high as 1 in 7, whereas, in the southwest part of the city, it could be as low as 1 in 43.

This city also has a high rate of property crime, with one’s chance of becoming a victim being 1 in 82.

Florence

With a population of 40,751, Florence has a crime rate of 65 per 1000 residents, among the highest in the nation.

The city has a crime grade of D- because the crime rate here is significantly higher than in most other cities or towns around the country.

In fact, some suggest that Florence is one of the top 100 most dangerous cities in the United States.

Residents consider the southwest area of the city the safest, with one’s chance of becoming the victim of a crime being as low as 1 in 33.

Comparably, those odds increase drastically in the central neighborhoods, to 1 in 7.

Spartanburg

With a population of 39,248, this city has a crime grade of D, with a crime happening here, on average, every hour and 32 minutes.

Spartanburg’s safety percentile is 23, with one’s chance of becoming the victim of a crime in Spartanburg being roughly 1 in 13.

The violent crime rate in Spartanburg is one of the highest in the country, with the city’s murder rates being disproportionately high compared to the number of residents living here.

Spartanburg also has a high rate of property crime – which includes things like larceny, grand theft auto, and arson – being as high as 1 in 16.

According to residents and stats, the northwest parts of the city are the safest (the chance of being the victim of a crime here is as low as 1 in 374).

Greenwood

The city has a population of 22,541 and a crime index of 2, meaning that Greenwood is only safer than 2% of the cities in the country.

A crime happens every 4 hours and 15 minutes on average, earning this city a crime grade score of D+.

Greenwood has a crime rate of 57 per 1000 residents, with one’s chance of becoming the victim of a crime is 1 in 18.

The city also has one of the highest rates of violent crime in the nation – including offenses like rape, burglary, car theft, and assault – with the chance of becoming a victim of one of these crimes being as high as 1 in 84.

However, these odds increase or decrease based on the part of the city.

According to residents, you have a lower chance of becoming the victim of a crime in the southwest part of the city and a higher chance in the central neighborhoods.

Georgetown

On average, a crime happens here every 6 hours and 16 minutes here, and the odds of getting your house broken into or robbed increase by 300% if you do not have a home security system.

The city has a crime index of 2 out of 100, meaning that Georgetown is only safer than 2% of the cities in the country.

Georgetown has one of the highest crime rates in the nation, with 57 crimes per 1000 residents.

The chances of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime in Georgetown is one in 18.

The city has one of the highest violent crime rates, with property crime being a close second.

Hartsville

With a population of 7,350, Hartsville is in the 13th percentile for safety and has earned an overall crime grade of D.

On average, a crime happens here every 5 hours and 33 minutes, and the overall crime rate is 57 per 1000 residents.

The chance of becoming the victim of a crime is 1 in 14, though those odds increase or decrease drastically based on what part of the city you are in.

For example. one’s odds of being victimized in the city’s west side are as low as 1 in 43, compared to the high odds of 1 in 14 in the central neighborhoods.

Additionally, according to statistics, most crimes happen in the central parts of the city – roughly 564 per year – whereas the southeast part has the smallest number – roughly 65 crimes per year.

West Columbia

With a population of 18,145, West Columbia is only safer than 1% of the cities in the country.

On average, a crime occurs in West Columbia every 13 minutes, earning the city a crime grade of D.

Regarding safety, the Columbia Metro area ranks in the 16th percentile, meaning that only 16% of metro areas are more dangerous.

West Columbia has one of the highest violent crime rates in the United States, with one’s chance of becoming a victim being 1 in 35.

The general consensus among residents of the Columbia metro area is that the northwest region of the area is the safest.

However, the likelihood of becoming the victim of a crime can vary significantly depending on the specific neighborhood.

For instance, the chances of being victimized can be as high as 1 in 11 in central neighborhoods or as low as 1 in 41 in the northwest area.

Beaufort

With a population of 13,982 residents, Beaufort has a crime index of 5, and an overall crime of D, meaning that the crime rate here is significantly higher than in other cities.

On average, a crime happens every 8 hours and 31 minutes, and one’s chance of getting their house broken into is 300% higher than in other cities nationwide.

Beaufort has a crime rate of 41 per 1000 residents, with one’s chance of becoming the victim of a crime being approximately 1 in 24.

According to residents, the safest area is the northeast, with the chances of becoming the victim of a crime going down from 1 in 14 (in the northern neighborhoods) to 1 in 50.

Safety Tips for Traveling

Call your bank

To help prevent theft, contact your bank and credit card companies before traveling, and inform them of your plans, so they can flag any suspicious charges on your accounts if necessary.

Use bank ATMs

These are less prone to tampering since they necessitate bank staff intervention to access and modify their settings (e.g., personal identification number or PIN).

Also, select ATMs that seem well-maintained and located in secure areas, such as lobbies.

Keep your purse easily accessible

To avoid theft, keep your bag close by and place it on your lap while on a bus or train.

Be aware of scammers

They often operate in groups, with one person distracting the victim while another steals their possessions.

Protect your drinks at clubs and bars

Stay vigilant and don’t leave your drinks unattended. 

Choose bottled beers instead of poured pints or glasses to decrease vulnerability.

Avoid accepting drinks from strangers to prevent getting drugged and potentially assaulted.

South Carolina Safety Overview

READ THE FULL REPORT: South Carolina Safety Review

Safety Index:

65

• OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
• TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
• PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
• NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: HIGH
• MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
• TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM
• SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
• WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW