Safest Places to Live in South Carolina of September 2026
ElitePersonalFinance
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Living •
Last Update: September 1, 2026
South Carolina is located on the East Coast of the United States, in its southeastern part. It borders Georgia to the south and west and its sister, North Carolina, to the north.
South Carolina is the 23rd most populous state globally, being home to around 5 million Americans. The state’s capital is Columbia; Charleston is the largest city (around 135,000 residents), the greatest metropolitan area in Greenville.
The state was named after King Charles I, who formed the colony. The culture of the state is a mix of colonial, African, and European heritage. South Carolina’s economy has been steadily increasing, reaching an annual growth rate of 3.13% and over $183 billion in 2013.
Ranking Criteria
ElitePersonalFinance extracted the latest data from the FBI crime statistics in the United States. We took violent crime as the main criteria. To get our score, we used this formula:
Crime Score = ( Total Number of Violent Crimes / Population ) * 1,000
This way, safer cities got the lowest score, and those more vulnerable to crimes got higher scores.
The cities that did not report crimes to the FBI and those under 3,000 residents were not included in the list.
30 Safest Places in South Carolina of September 2026
| Rank: | City: | Population: | Total Number of Crimes: | Crime Score: |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank:1 | City:Central | Population:5380 | Total Number of Crimes:1 | Crime Score:0,19 |
| Rank:2 | City:Isle of Palms | Population:4366 | Total Number of Crimes:1 | Crime Score:0,23 |
| Rank:3 | City:Tega Cay | Population:11322 | Total Number of Crimes:5 | Crime Score:0,44 |
| Rank:4 | City:Woodruff | Population:4356 | Total Number of Crimes:3 | Crime Score:0,69 |
| Rank:5 | City:Travelers Rest | Population:5339 | Total Number of Crimes:5 | Crime Score:0,94 |
| Rank:6 | City:Fort Mill | Population:21219 | Total Number of Crimes:22 | Crime Score:1,04 |
| Rank:7 | City:Mount Pleasant | Population:92448 | Total Number of Crimes:105 | Crime Score:1,14 |
| Rank:8 | City:Walhalla | Population:4384 | Total Number of Crimes:7 | Crime Score:1,60 |
| Rank:9 | City:Clemson | Population:17547 | Total Number of Crimes:32 | Crime Score:1,82 |
| Rank:10 | City:Bluffton | Population:24812 | Total Number of Crimes:46 | Crime Score:1,85 |
| Rank:11 | City:Simpsonville | Population:23682 | Total Number of Crimes:46 | Crime Score:1,94 |
| Rank:12 | City:Duncan | Population:3573 | Total Number of Crimes:7 | Crime Score:1,96 |
| Rank:13 | City:Hanahan | Population:26941 | Total Number of Crimes:55 | Crime Score:2,04 |
| Rank:14 | City:Mauldin | Population:25453 | Total Number of Crimes:57 | Crime Score:2,24 |
| Rank:15 | City:North Augusta | Population:23875 | Total Number of Crimes:55 | Crime Score:2,30 |
| Rank:16 | City:Saluda | Population:3641 | Total Number of Crimes:9 | Crime Score:2,47 |
| Rank:17 | City:Clover | Population:6575 | Total Number of Crimes:19 | Crime Score:2,89 |
| Rank:18 | City:Port Royal | Population:13368 | Total Number of Crimes:40 | Crime Score:2,99 |
| Rank:19 | City:Irmo | Population:12516 | Total Number of Crimes:39 | Crime Score:3,12 |
| Rank:20 | City:Honea Path | Population:3810 | Total Number of Crimes:12 | Crime Score:3,15 |
| Rank:21 | City:Lexington | Population:22160 | Total Number of Crimes:72 | Crime Score:3,25 |
| Rank:22 | City:Belton | Population:4434 | Total Number of Crimes:15 | Crime Score:3,38 |
| Rank:23 | City:Summerville | Population:52886 | Total Number of Crimes:186 | Crime Score:3,52 |
| Rank:24 | City:Charleston | Population:138254 | Total Number of Crimes:516 | Crime Score:3,73 |
| Rank:25 | City:Walterboro | Population:5429 | Total Number of Crimes:21 | Crime Score:3,87 |
| Rank:26 | City:North Myrtle Beach | Population:16942 | Total Number of Crimes:71 | Crime Score:4,19 |
| Rank:27 | City:Conway | Population:26127 | Total Number of Crimes:111 | Crime Score:4,25 |
| Rank:28 | City:Beaufort | Population:13485 | Total Number of Crimes:58 | Crime Score:4,30 |
| Rank:29 | City:Greer | Population:32976 | Total Number of Crimes:143 | Crime Score:4,34 |
| Rank:30 | City:Fountain Inn | Population:10375 | Total Number of Crimes:45 | Crime Score:4,34 |
Crime Score in All Cities in South Carolina of September 2026
If your city didn’t make our list, you could see our full list of South Carolina cities.
We can’t compare crime rates in small and large cities. That’s why ElitePersonalFinance made a detailed analysis and narrowed the results according to population segments:
- Under 3,000 Residents
- 3,000 – 10,000 Residents
- 10,000 – 30,000 Residents
- Over 30,000 Residents
(Other sites don’t include places with under 3,000 residents, but we included them.)
These are the results that we got:
Under 3,000 Residents
| Rank: | City: | Population: | Total Number of Crimes: | Crime Score: |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank:1 | City:Salem | Population:152 | Total Number of Crimes:0 | Crime Score:0,00 |
| Rank:2 | City:West Union | Population:325 | Total Number of Crimes:0 | Crime Score:0,00 |
| Rank:3 | City:Cameron | Population:396 | Total Number of Crimes:0 | Crime Score:0,00 |
| Rank:4 | City:Society Hill | Population:533 | Total Number of Crimes:0 | Crime Score:0,00 |
| Rank:5 | City:Quinby | Population:927 | Total Number of Crimes:0 | Crime Score:0,00 |
| Rank:6 | City:Due West | Population:1240 | Total Number of Crimes:0 | Crime Score:0,00 |
| Rank:7 | City:Burnettown | Population:2751 | Total Number of Crimes:1 | Crime Score:0,36 |
| Rank:8 | City:Wellford | Population:2697 | Total Number of Crimes:1 | Crime Score:0,37 |
| Rank:9 | City:Sullivans Island | Population:1938 | Total Number of Crimes:1 | Crime Score:0,52 |
| Rank:10 | City:Johnsonville | Population:1494 | Total Number of Crimes:1 | Crime Score:0,67 |
| Rank:11 | City:South Congaree | Population:2483 | Total Number of Crimes:2 | Crime Score:0,81 |
| Rank:12 | City:Ninety Six | Population:2039 | Total Number of Crimes:2 | Crime Score:0,98 |
| Rank:13 | City:Branchville | Population:952 | Total Number of Crimes:1 | Crime Score:1,05 |
| Rank:14 | City:Wagener | Population:838 | Total Number of Crimes:1 | Crime Score:1,19 |
| Rank:15 | City:Inman | Population:2404 | Total Number of Crimes:3 | Crime Score:1,25 |
| Rank:16 | City:Cowpens | Population:2408 | Total Number of Crimes:4 | Crime Score:1,66 |
| Rank:17 | City:Chapin | Population:1653 | Total Number of Crimes:3 | Crime Score:1,81 |
| Rank:18 | City:Whitmire | Population:1469 | Total Number of Crimes:3 | Crime Score:2,04 |
| Rank:19 | City:Jackson | Population:1792 | Total Number of Crimes:4 | Crime Score:2,23 |
| Rank:20 | City:Gaston | Population:1692 | Total Number of Crimes:4 | Crime Score:2,36 |
| Rank:21 | City:Jonesville | Population:834 | Total Number of Crimes:2 | Crime Score:2,40 |
| Rank:22 | City:Edisto Beach | Population:406 | Total Number of Crimes:1 | Crime Score:2,46 |
| Rank:23 | City:Chesterfield | Population:1415 | Total Number of Crimes:4 | Crime Score:2,83 |
| Rank:24 | City:Pelion | Population:704 | Total Number of Crimes:2 | Crime Score:2,84 |
| Rank:25 | City:Aynor | Population:994 | Total Number of Crimes:3 | Crime Score:3,02 |
| Rank:26 | City:Clio | Population:660 | Total Number of Crimes:2 | Crime Score:3,03 |
| Rank:27 | City:Iva | Population:1311 | Total Number of Crimes:4 | Crime Score:3,05 |
| Rank:28 | City:Chesnee | Population:948 | Total Number of Crimes:3 | Crime Score:3,16 |
| Rank:29 | City:Prosperity | Population:1219 | Total Number of Crimes:4 | Crime Score:3,28 |
| Rank:30 | City:Pacolet | Population:2502 | Total Number of Crimes:9 | Crime Score:3,60 |
| Rank:31 | City:Elgin | Population:1612 | Total Number of Crimes:6 | Crime Score:3,72 |
| Rank:32 | City:Great Falls | Population:1875 | Total Number of Crimes:7 | Crime Score:3,73 |
| Rank:33 | City:Westminster | Population:2570 | Total Number of Crimes:10 | Crime Score:3,89 |
| Rank:34 | City:Springdale | Population:2753 | Total Number of Crimes:11 | Crime Score:4,00 |
| Rank:35 | City:McCormick | Population:2298 | Total Number of Crimes:10 | Crime Score:4,35 |
| Rank:36 | City:Scranton | Population:864 | Total Number of Crimes:4 | Crime Score:4,63 |
| Rank:37 | City:St. Matthews | Population:1900 | Total Number of Crimes:9 | Crime Score:4,74 |
| Rank:38 | City:Hemingway | Population:400 | Total Number of Crimes:2 | Crime Score:5,00 |
| Rank:39 | City:Swansea | Population:959 | Total Number of Crimes:5 | Crime Score:5,21 |
| Rank:40 | City:Coward | Population:767 | Total Number of Crimes:4 | Crime Score:5,22 |
| Rank:41 | City:Blacksburg | Population:1883 | Total Number of Crimes:10 | Crime Score:5,31 |
| Rank:42 | City:Pamplico | Population:1221 | Total Number of Crimes:7 | Crime Score:5,73 |
| Rank:43 | City:Williston | Population:2907 | Total Number of Crimes:17 | Crime Score:5,85 |
| Rank:44 | City:Ehrhardt | Population:481 | Total Number of Crimes:3 | Crime Score:6,24 |
| Rank:45 | City:Lamar | Population:937 | Total Number of Crimes:6 | Crime Score:6,40 |
| Rank:46 | City:Eutawville | Population:292 | Total Number of Crimes:2 | Crime Score:6,85 |
| Rank:47 | City:Calhoun Falls | Population:1912 | Total Number of Crimes:14 | Crime Score:7,32 |
| Rank:48 | City:Ridge Spring | Population:758 | Total Number of Crimes:6 | Crime Score:7,92 |
| Rank:49 | City:Holly Hill | Population:1181 | Total Number of Crimes:10 | Crime Score:8,47 |
| Rank:50 | City:New Ellenton | Population:2145 | Total Number of Crimes:20 | Crime Score:9,32 |
| Rank:51 | City:Summerton | Population:939 | Total Number of Crimes:9 | Crime Score:9,58 |
| Rank:52 | City:St. Stephen | Population:1809 | Total Number of Crimes:18 | Crime Score:9,95 |
| Rank:53 | City:Hampton | Population:2499 | Total Number of Crimes:26 | Crime Score:10,40 |
| Rank:54 | City:Blackville | Population:2194 | Total Number of Crimes:23 | Crime Score:10,48 |
| Rank:55 | City:Denmark | Population:2924 | Total Number of Crimes:31 | Crime Score:10,60 |
| Rank:56 | City:Ware Shoals | Population:2156 | Total Number of Crimes:23 | Crime Score:10,67 |
| Rank:57 | City:Jamestown | Population:83 | Total Number of Crimes:1 | Crime Score:12,05 |
| Rank:58 | City:Loris | Population:2740 | Total Number of Crimes:34 | Crime Score:12,41 |
| Rank:59 | City:McColl | Population:1981 | Total Number of Crimes:28 | Crime Score:14,13 |
| Rank:60 | City:Latta | Population:1288 | Total Number of Crimes:20 | Crime Score:15,53 |
| Rank:61 | City:Bowman | Population:904 | Total Number of Crimes:16 | Crime Score:17,70 |
| Rank:62 | City:Yemassee | Population:954 | Total Number of Crimes:17 | Crime Score:17,82 |
| Rank:63 | City:Estill | Population:1855 | Total Number of Crimes:37 | Crime Score:19,95 |
| Rank:64 | City:Allendale | Population:2924 | Total Number of Crimes:76 | Crime Score:25,99 |
| Rank:65 | City:Bishopville | Population:2927 | Total Number of Crimes:86 | Crime Score:29,38 |
3,000 – 10,000 Residents
| Rank: | City: | Population: | Total Number of Crimes: | Crime Score: |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank:1 | City:Central | Population:5380 | Total Number of Crimes:1 | Crime Score:0,19 |
| Rank:2 | City:Isle of Palms | Population:4366 | Total Number of Crimes:1 | Crime Score:0,23 |
| Rank:3 | City:Woodruff | Population:4356 | Total Number of Crimes:3 | Crime Score:0,69 |
| Rank:4 | City:Travelers Rest | Population:5339 | Total Number of Crimes:5 | Crime Score:0,94 |
| Rank:5 | City:Walhalla | Population:4384 | Total Number of Crimes:7 | Crime Score:1,60 |
| Rank:6 | City:Duncan | Population:3573 | Total Number of Crimes:7 | Crime Score:1,96 |
| Rank:7 | City:Saluda | Population:3641 | Total Number of Crimes:9 | Crime Score:2,47 |
| Rank:8 | City:Clover | Population:6575 | Total Number of Crimes:19 | Crime Score:2,89 |
| Rank:9 | City:Honea Path | Population:3810 | Total Number of Crimes:12 | Crime Score:3,15 |
| Rank:10 | City:Belton | Population:4434 | Total Number of Crimes:15 | Crime Score:3,38 |
| Rank:11 | City:Walterboro | Population:5429 | Total Number of Crimes:21 | Crime Score:3,87 |
| Rank:12 | City:Bamberg | Population:3195 | Total Number of Crimes:16 | Crime Score:5,01 |
| Rank:13 | City:Kingstree | Population:3026 | Total Number of Crimes:17 | Crime Score:5,62 |
| Rank:14 | City:Seneca | Population:8525 | Total Number of Crimes:50 | Crime Score:5,87 |
| Rank:15 | City:Pickens | Population:3171 | Total Number of Crimes:19 | Crime Score:5,99 |
| Rank:16 | City:Lyman | Population:3661 | Total Number of Crimes:24 | Crime Score:6,56 |
| Rank:17 | City:Liberty | Population:3152 | Total Number of Crimes:21 | Crime Score:6,66 |
| Rank:18 | City:Bennettsville | Population:7726 | Total Number of Crimes:53 | Crime Score:6,86 |
| Rank:19 | City:Winnsboro | Population:3165 | Total Number of Crimes:23 | Crime Score:7,27 |
| Rank:20 | City:Williamston | Population:4249 | Total Number of Crimes:31 | Crime Score:7,30 |
| Rank:21 | City:Hardeeville | Population:7075 | Total Number of Crimes:53 | Crime Score:7,49 |
| Rank:22 | City:Clinton | Population:8412 | Total Number of Crimes:66 | Crime Score:7,85 |
| Rank:23 | City:York | Population:8294 | Total Number of Crimes:67 | Crime Score:8,08 |
| Rank:24 | City:Marion | Population:6373 | Total Number of Crimes:55 | Crime Score:8,63 |
| Rank:25 | City:Laurens | Population:8823 | Total Number of Crimes:80 | Crime Score:9,07 |
| Rank:26 | City:Abbeville | Population:5017 | Total Number of Crimes:47 | Crime Score:9,37 |
| Rank:27 | City:Mullins | Population:4290 | Total Number of Crimes:41 | Crime Score:9,56 |
| Rank:28 | City:Union | Population:7694 | Total Number of Crimes:76 | Crime Score:9,88 |
| Rank:29 | City:Cheraw | Population:5589 | Total Number of Crimes:61 | Crime Score:10,91 |
| Rank:30 | City:Batesburg-Leesville | Population:5389 | Total Number of Crimes:61 | Crime Score:11,32 |
| Rank:31 | City:Camden | Population:7242 | Total Number of Crimes:86 | Crime Score:11,88 |
| Rank:32 | City:Georgetown | Population:8733 | Total Number of Crimes:107 | Crime Score:12,25 |
| Rank:33 | City:Hartsville | Population:7524 | Total Number of Crimes:108 | Crime Score:14,35 |
| Rank:34 | City:Darlington | Population:5886 | Total Number of Crimes:87 | Crime Score:14,78 |
| Rank:35 | City:Manning | Population:3921 | Total Number of Crimes:58 | Crime Score:14,79 |
| Rank:36 | City:Chester | Population:5368 | Total Number of Crimes:82 | Crime Score:15,28 |
| Rank:37 | City:Lake City | Population:6541 | Total Number of Crimes:112 | Crime Score:17,12 |
| Rank:38 | City:Barnwell | Population:4321 | Total Number of Crimes:89 | Crime Score:20,60 |
10,000 – 30,000 Residents
| Rank: | City: | Population: | Total Number of Crimes: | Crime Score: |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank:1 | City:Tega Cay | Population:11322 | Total Number of Crimes:5 | Crime Score:0,44 |
| Rank:2 | City:Fort Mill | Population:21219 | Total Number of Crimes:22 | Crime Score:1,04 |
| Rank:3 | City:Clemson | Population:17547 | Total Number of Crimes:32 | Crime Score:1,82 |
| Rank:4 | City:Bluffton | Population:24812 | Total Number of Crimes:46 | Crime Score:1,85 |
| Rank:5 | City:Simpsonville | Population:23682 | Total Number of Crimes:46 | Crime Score:1,94 |
| Rank:6 | City:Hanahan | Population:26941 | Total Number of Crimes:55 | Crime Score:2,04 |
| Rank:7 | City:Mauldin | Population:25453 | Total Number of Crimes:57 | Crime Score:2,24 |
| Rank:8 | City:North Augusta | Population:23875 | Total Number of Crimes:55 | Crime Score:2,30 |
| Rank:9 | City:Port Royal | Population:13368 | Total Number of Crimes:40 | Crime Score:2,99 |
| Rank:10 | City:Irmo | Population:12516 | Total Number of Crimes:39 | Crime Score:3,12 |
| Rank:11 | City:Lexington | Population:22160 | Total Number of Crimes:72 | Crime Score:3,25 |
| Rank:12 | City:North Myrtle Beach | Population:16942 | Total Number of Crimes:71 | Crime Score:4,19 |
| Rank:13 | City:Conway | Population:26127 | Total Number of Crimes:111 | Crime Score:4,25 |
| Rank:14 | City:Beaufort | Population:13485 | Total Number of Crimes:58 | Crime Score:4,30 |
| Rank:15 | City:Fountain Inn | Population:10375 | Total Number of Crimes:45 | Crime Score:4,34 |
| Rank:16 | City:Easley | Population:21390 | Total Number of Crimes:98 | Crime Score:4,58 |
| Rank:17 | City:Moncks Corner | Population:11986 | Total Number of Crimes:55 | Crime Score:4,59 |
| Rank:18 | City:Forest Acres | Population:10320 | Total Number of Crimes:64 | Crime Score:6,20 |
| Rank:19 | City:Newberry | Population:10333 | Total Number of Crimes:72 | Crime Score:6,97 |
| Rank:20 | City:West Columbia | Population:17986 | Total Number of Crimes:127 | Crime Score:7,06 |
| Rank:21 | City:Gaffney | Population:12528 | Total Number of Crimes:102 | Crime Score:8,14 |
| Rank:22 | City:Cayce | Population:14211 | Total Number of Crimes:138 | Crime Score:9,71 |
| Rank:23 | City:Greenwood | Population:23427 | Total Number of Crimes:350 | Crime Score:14,94 |
Over 30,000 Residents
How safe do you feel?
Is your city safe enough? Are you worried because of the crime rate in your town? Do you have any thoughts on safety levels in the country?
If you want to share anything, feel free to leave a comment. That way, you can help us understand your perspective better.
Thank you!
Archives
- Safest Places to Live in South Carolina 2020
- Safest Places to Live in South Carolina 2019
- Safest Places to Live in South Carolina 2018
- Safest Places to Live in South Carolina 2017
- Safest Places to Live in South Carolina 2016
Sources:
