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C

Is North Charleston, South Carolina Safe?

Population 129,245 · Safer than 32% of US cities

Stable· 2023 FBI UCR data

North Charleston earns a C safety grade with 222.6 crimes per 1,000 residents. Violent crime runs below the national average, putting the city behind 68% of US cities. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,605 per 100K.

North Charleston Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricNorth CharlestonSouth Carolina AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate264.7339.3363.8
Property Crime Rate1960.92029.81,832.3
Murder Rate3.0--5.7
Assault Rate185.0--268.2
Theft Rate1605.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate256.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyC

222.6 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC+

265/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeC-

1961/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for North Charleston

Violent crime in North Charleston is below the national average. The rate of 264.7 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 1960.9 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,605 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

North Charleston Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder3
053% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault185
069% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery57
090% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary357
01.3x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,605
01.1x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft256
080% of avgAvg: 318.3

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

How North Charleston Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

North Charleston
264.7
State
339.3
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

North Charleston
1960.9
State
2029.8
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About North Charleston Safety

Is North Charleston safe?
Not especially. North Charleston earns a C with a crime rate of 222.6 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs below the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in North Charleston?
222.6 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 264.7 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 1960.9 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is North Charleston safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. North Charleston's C grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,605 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in North Charleston?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in North Charleston generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the North Charleston police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in North Charleston?
Crime rates have held steady in North Charleston, without significant movement in either direction. The city maintains its C grade.
How does North Charleston compare to other cities in South Carolina?
Below average for the state. North Charleston ranks behind about 60% of South Carolina cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.1x the national rate.
How safe is North Charleston to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is below the national average, which is encouraging. Rates have been stable.
How bad is crime in North Charleston?
Bad. A C grade and 222.6 per-thousand rate put North Charleston below 68% of US cities. Violent crime at 265 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in North Charleston?
264.7 per 100,000, which is 27% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (185), robbery (57), and murder (3.0) per 100,000.

Nearby Cities in South Carolina

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

D
See crime rates in Columbia147,035 pop · Grade D
C-
See crime rates in Charleston159,423 pop · Grade C-
D+
See crime rates in Mount Pleasant95,469 pop · Grade D+
C-
See crime rates in Rock Hill75,911 pop · Grade C-
D-
See crime rates in Greenville75,310 pop · Grade D-
D-
See crime rates in Summerville53,177 pop · Grade D-
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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