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C

Is James Island, South Carolina Safe?

Population 12,660 · Safer than 35% of US cities

Improving· 2023 FBI UCR data

James Island is a smaller community of 12,660 people with a C safety grade. Crime runs well below the national average for violent offenses, and the overall rate sits at 214.2 per 1,000. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,486 per 100K.

James Island Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricJames IslandSouth Carolina AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate217.1339.3363.8
Property Crime Rate1925.12029.81,832.3
Murder Rate3.0--5.7
Assault Rate167.0--268.2
Theft Rate1486.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate403.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyC

214.2 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeB-

217/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeC-

1925/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for James Island

Violent crime in James Island is well below the national average. The rate of 217.1 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 1925.1 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,486 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

James Island Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder3
053% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault167
062% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery41
065% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary315
01.2x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,486
01.1x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft403
01.3x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How James Island Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

James Island
217.1
State
339.3
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

James Island
1925.1
State
2029.8
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About James Island Safety

Is James Island safe?
Not especially. James Island earns a C with a crime rate of 214.2 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs well below the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in James Island?
214.2 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 217.1 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 1925.1 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is James Island safe for tourists?
Stick to well-traveled areas and you'll be fine. James Island 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 James Island?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in James Island generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the James Island police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in James Island?
No. Crime in James Island has been trending down, which is good news for the C-rated city.
How does James Island compare to other cities in South Carolina?
Below average for the state. James Island ranks behind about 75% of South Carolina cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.1x the national rate.
How safe is James Island to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is well below the national average, which is encouraging. Crime has been dropping, which helps.
How bad is crime in James Island?
Mixed. Violent crime is well 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 35th percentile nationally.
What is the violent crime rate in James Island?
217.1 per 100,000, which is 40% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (167), robbery (41), and murder (3.0) per 100,000.

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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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