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By Mark A Leon
South Carolina has experienced encouraging declines in crime over the past several years. According to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), 2024 marked the fourth consecutive year of declining crime, with murders, robberies, burglaries and aggravated assaults all falling to their lowest levels in decades.
Despite those improvements, crime remains concentrated in a relatively small number of municipalities. While many communities continue to see historically low crime rates, others still struggle with violent offenses, property crime, gang activity, poverty, drug trafficking and repeat offenders.
Municipalities With the Highest Violent Crime Rates
Based on the latest SLED municipal reporting and FBI crime statistics, these cities consistently report the highest rates of violent crime per capita.
1. Orangeburg
Orangeburg continues to rank among South Carolina’s highest violent crime communities.
Violent crimes include:
- Murder
- Aggravated assault
- Robbery
- Sexual assault
Contributing factors include concentrated poverty, gang activity and recurring firearm violence.
2. Dillon
Although small in population, Dillon experiences one of the state’s highest violent crime rates.
Common offenses include:
- Aggravated assault
- Armed robbery
- Firearm offenses
Dillon County also posts one of South Carolina’s highest countywide violent crime rates.
3. Hartsville
Hartsville continues to report violent crime rates well above the state average despite recent improvements.
Major concerns include:
- Assaults
- Robberies
- Domestic violence incidents
4. Columbia
As South Carolina’s second-largest city, Columbia naturally records one of the state’s highest total numbers of violent crimes.
Major categories include:
- Homicide
- Aggravated assault
- Armed robbery
- Carjackings
Several neighborhoods account for a disproportionate share of incidents.
5. North Charleston
North Charleston has reduced violent crime significantly over the past decade but still records one of the highest totals statewide because of its population.
Recent police initiatives have focused on:
- Illegal firearms
- Gang violence
- Repeat violent offenders
Honorable Mentions
Other municipalities with above-average violent crime rates include:
- Spartanburg
- Florence
- Marion
- Sumter
- Bennettsville
Municipalities With the Highest Property Crime Rates
Property crime remains considerably more common than violent crime across South Carolina.
Property crimes include:
- Burglary
- Motor vehicle theft
- Shoplifting
- Larceny
- Vandalism
The highest rates are generally found in tourist, commercial or retail centers.
1. Myrtle Beach
Myrtle Beach consistently records one of South Carolina’s highest property crime rates.
The city’s millions of annual visitors create increased opportunities for:
- Vehicle break-ins
- Bicycle theft
- Retail theft
- Hotel-related property crimes
The crime rate is heavily influenced by tourism and is not necessarily reflective of residential neighborhoods.
2. North Charleston
North Charleston remains one of the state’s leaders in:
- Auto theft
- Retail theft
- Commercial burglary
Its extensive retail and industrial districts generate large numbers of reported property crimes.
3. Columbia
Property crimes remain concentrated around:
- Downtown
- Commercial corridors
- University districts
The most common offenses are:
- Vehicle break-ins
- Larceny
- Shoplifting
4. Spartanburg
Spartanburg reports elevated levels of:
- Vehicle theft
- Residential burglary
- Retail theft
Downtown redevelopment has coincided with reductions in several categories.
5. Florence
Florence’s location along Interstates 95 and 20 contributes to higher-than-average property crime.
Frequent offenses include:
- Auto theft
- Burglary
- Commercial theft
Statewide Crime Trends
South Carolina’s overall crime picture continues to improve.
According to SLED’s most recent statewide report:
- Murder declined nearly 16%.
- Violent crime fell to its lowest rate since 1995.
- Aggravated assault reached its lowest level since 2018.
- Robbery dropped to a 30-year low.
- Burglary reached a 30-year low.
- Property crime continued its fourth straight annual decline.
Violent crime directly threatens people, while property crime involves the theft or damage of possessions.
Looking Ahead to 2026
Early reports from several South Carolina police departments indicate that crime reductions have continued into 2026, mirroring national trends. Preliminary local data suggest continued declines in violent crime, while property crimes—especially vehicle theft and retail theft—remain persistent challenges in larger cities. However, SLED has not yet released statewide municipal crime rankings for 2025 or preliminary 2026, so any city-by-city rankings beyond the latest official report would be incomplete.
Bottom line: South Carolina is safer today than it was just a few years ago, with statewide violent and property crime continuing a downward trend. Even so, cities such as Orangeburg, Dillon, Columbia, North Charleston, and Myrtle Beach continue to experience crime rates above the state average in one or more categories, underscoring the importance of targeted law enforcement, community investment, and crime-prevention efforts.
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