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Is Clemson, South Carolina Safe?

Population 18,941 · Safer than 40% of US cities

Improving· 2023 FBI UCR data

In a community of 18,941, each crime incident has a bigger statistical impact. Clemson earns a C with violent crime below the national average. The trend has been positive. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,100 per 100K.

Clemson Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricClemsonSouth Carolina AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate221.9339.3363.8
Property Crime Rate1811.12029.81,832.3
Murder Rate3.0--5.7
Assault Rate128.0--268.2
Theft Rate1100.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate376.0--318.3

All rates per 100,000 residents. 2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report + Census Bureau population estimates.

Overall SafetyC

203.3 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeB-

222/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeC

1811/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Clemson

Violent crime in Clemson is below the national average. The rate of 221.9 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 1811.1 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,100 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Clemson Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder3
053% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault128
048% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery26
041% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary210
078% of avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,100
078% of avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft376
01.2x national avgAvg: 318.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. Vertical marker = national average.

How Clemson Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Clemson
221.9
State
339.3
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Clemson
1811.1
State
2029.8
National
1832.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. National averages from 2023 FBI UCR data.

Frequently Asked Questions About Clemson Safety

Is Clemson safe?
It depends on where in Clemson you are. The city gets a C overall, with violent crime below the national average and property crime close to the national average. Some areas are safer than others.
What is the crime rate in Clemson?
203.3 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 221.9 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 1811.1 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Clemson safe for tourists?
Stick to well-traveled areas and you'll be fine. Clemson has a C grade, so it's not the safest destination, but tourist areas generally see less violent crime than the citywide average suggests.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Clemson?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Clemson generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Clemson police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Clemson?
No. Crime in Clemson has been trending down, which is good news for the C-rated city.
How does Clemson compare to other cities in South Carolina?
Below average for the state. Clemson ranks behind about 65% of South Carolina cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.0x the national rate.
How safe is Clemson to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is below the national average, which is encouraging. Crime has been dropping, which helps.
How bad is crime in Clemson?
Mixed. Violent crime is below the national average, and property crime is close to the national average. It's not great, but it's not the worst either, landing at the 40th percentile nationally.
What is the violent crime rate in Clemson?
221.9 per 100,000, which is 39% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (128), robbery (26), and murder (3.0) per 100,000.

Nearby Cities in South Carolina

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View all South Carolina city safety grades

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2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report data and Census Bureau population estimates. Safety grades calculated using national and state-level crime rate distributions. Not a substitute for local law enforcement guidance.

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