CityCheck
CitiesSafetyAskPlan
D+

Is Gaffney, South Carolina Safe?

Population 12,583 · Safer than 22% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

Gaffney is a smaller community of 12,583 people with a D+ safety grade. Crime runs close to the national average for violent offenses, and the overall rate sits at 248.9 per 1,000. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,737 per 100K.

Gaffney Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricGaffneySouth Carolina AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate338.6339.3363.8
Property Crime Rate2150.42029.81,832.3
Murder Rate3.0--5.7
Assault Rate198.0--268.2
Theft Rate1737.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate344.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD+

248.9 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC

339/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD+

2150/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Gaffney

Violent crime in Gaffney is close to the national average. The rate of 338.6 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2150.4 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,737 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Gaffney Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder3
053% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault198
074% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery62
098% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary226
084% of avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,737
01.2x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft344
01.1x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Gaffney Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Gaffney
338.6
State
339.3
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Gaffney
2150.4
State
2029.8
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Gaffney Safety

Is Gaffney safe?
Not especially. Gaffney earns a D+ with a crime rate of 248.9 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs close to the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Gaffney?
248.9 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 338.6 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2150.4 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Gaffney safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Gaffney's D+ grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,737 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Gaffney?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Gaffney generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Gaffney police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Gaffney?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Gaffney's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a D+ grade overall.
How does Gaffney compare to other cities in South Carolina?
Below average for the state. Gaffney ranks behind about 71% of South Carolina cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.2x the national rate.
How safe is Gaffney to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is close to the national average, which is encouraging. The upward trend in crime is concerning.
How bad is crime in Gaffney?
Bad. A D+ grade and 248.9 per-thousand rate put Gaffney below 78% of US cities. Violent crime at 339 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Gaffney?
338.6 per 100,000, which is 7% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (198), robbery (62), and murder (3.0) per 100,000.

Nearby Cities in South Carolina

Similar-sized communities in South Carolina. Compare crime rates across the state.

C
See crime rates in James Island12,660 pop · Grade C
D+
See crime rates in Irmo12,204 pop · Grade D+
D+
See crime rates in Orangeburg13,383 pop · Grade D+
D+
See crime rates in Cayce13,680 pop · Grade D+
C
See crime rates in Newberry10,891 pop · Grade C
C
See crime rates in Tega Cay14,457 pop · Grade C
View all South Carolina city safety grades

Looking for things to do? See activities, events and places in Gaffney

Get weekly safety updates for Gaffney

Weekly crime trend updates and safety grade changes delivered to your inbox.

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.

Know before you go

CityCheck covers safety grades, crime data, and things to do for every US city.

Explore cities