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D-

Is Sumter, South Carolina Safe?

Population 43,094 · Safer than 14% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

Sumter has a crime problem that shows up in the data. The D- safety grade reflects a violent crime rate close to the national average and an overall rate of 279.3 per 1,000 residents. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,893 per 100K.

Sumter Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricSumterSouth Carolina AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate327.2339.3363.8
Property Crime Rate2465.42029.81,832.3
Murder Rate3.0--5.7
Assault Rate272.0--268.2
Theft Rate1893.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate501.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD-

279.3 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC

327/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD-

2465/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Sumter

Violent crime in Sumter is close to the national average. The rate of 327.2 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2465.4 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,893 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Sumter Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder3
053% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault272
01.0x national avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery38
060% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary311
01.2x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,893
01.4x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft501
01.6x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Sumter Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Sumter
327.2
State
339.3
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Sumter
2465.4
State
2029.8
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Sumter Safety

Is Sumter safe?
Not especially. Sumter earns a D- with a crime rate of 279.3 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 Sumter?
279.3 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 327.2 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2465.4 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Sumter safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Sumter's D- grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,893 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Sumter?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Sumter generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Sumter police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Sumter?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Sumter's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a D- grade overall.
How does Sumter compare to other cities in South Carolina?
Below average for the state. Sumter ranks behind about 77% of South Carolina cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.3x the national rate.
How safe is Sumter 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 Sumter?
Bad. A D- grade and 279.3 per-thousand rate put Sumter below 86% of US cities. Violent crime at 327 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Sumter?
327.2 per 100,000, which is 10% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (272), robbery (38), and murder (3.0) per 100,000.

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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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