South Carolina is located in the southeastern United States and is an Atlantic coastal state. Home to 4.8 million residents, it is the 23rd largest state in terms of population and the 40th by size. The state’s capital is Columbia, which is also its largest city and the region is still largely run by agriculture, followed by industrial outputs and tourism. South Carolina has beautiful landscape, with nearly 700 square miles of lakes, and an incredibly rich history. If you’d like to settle in The Palmetto State, here are the 15 safest cities in South Carolina.
Related: Check out our South Carolina Public Records guide.
Our list was compiled based on FBI violent crime stats and proprietary backgroundchecks.org research data. Rates are normalized per 100,000 residents with the state average being 498 for violent crime and 3,460 for property crime. This is calculated by taking (# of crimes/population) * 100,000.
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#1 Hanahan
Located in Berkeley County, the city of Hanahan has a current population of 12,900 residents. The community has direct access to Charleston Harbor and is home to a portion of the Naval Weapons Station Charleston, which covers 27 square miles and supports 53 Military Commands and Federal Agencies. Hanahan is the safest place to live in South Carolina, with a violent crime rate of 144, and the chance of being affected by property crime here just 1.8%.
#2 Summerville
A town in Dorchester, Berkeley, and Charleston counties, Summerville is home to 43,300 residents. The community encompasses 18.1 square miles, has a history dating back to the Revolutionary War, and is known for its Flowertown Festival, the largest arts and crafts festival in the state. Another safe choice, the violent crime rate here is 183.6, and residents of Summerville have a 2.9% chance of being involved in a property crime.
#3 Mauldin
Located in Greenville County, the city of Mauldin is home to 15,200 residents. Incorporated for a second time in 1960, the community is served by the Greenville County School District and is the site of supermarket chain BI-LO’s headquarters. The violent crime rate in Mauldin is 203.1, and the chance of being affected by property crime in the city is 1.9%.
#4 North Augusta
A city in Aiken County, North Augusta is home to 21,300 residents. The community sits on the north bank of the Savannah River, is a popular tourist destination, and is the site of the annual Nike premier summer events for high school basketball. The violent crime rate here is 212.6, and residents of North Augusta have a 4% of being involved in a property crime.
#5 Mount Pleasant
Located in Charleston County, the town of Mount Pleasant is home to 67,800 residents. Considered a fast-growing suburb of Charleston, the community lies on the east side of Charleston Harbor and features a popular naval and maritime museum, where the USS Yorktown aircraft carrier is permanently docked. The violent crime rate in Mount Pleasant is 218.5, and the chance of being affected by property crime here is just 1.7%.
#6 Fort Mill
Also known as Fort Mill Township, this town in York County is home to 10,800 residents. Situated on the North Carolina state line, the community is also considered a suburb of Charlotte (NC) and is home to several large businesses such as Mood Media, Continental Tire the Americas, and Spring Industries. The violent crime rate here is 224.6, and residents of Fort Mill have a 2% chance of being involved in a property crime.
#7 Charleston
The largest city on our list, Charleston has a current population of 130,100 residents. The city lies at the center of the state’s coastline on what is known as Charleston Harbor and is home to a busy port, a community rich in culture, a vibrant tourist industry, a strong education system, and a thriving economy. Another safe place to call home, the violent crime rate in Charleston is 239, and the chance of being affected by property crime here is 2.7%.
#8 Clemson
Located in Pickens and Anderson counties, the city of Clemson is home to 13,900 residents. Considered a suburb of Greenville, the community is best known as the home of Clemson University, and is just 30 miles from the Blue Ridge Mountains. The violent crime rate here is 298.3, and residents of Clemson have a 3.3% chance of being involved in a property crime.
#9 Simpsonville
A city in Greenville County, Simpsonville is home to 18,200 residents. The community encompasses 8.8 square miles and is the site many diverse industries including Para-Chem, Kemet, Milliken, and Sealed Air. The violent crime rate in Simpsonville is 302.7, and the chance of being affected by property crime here is 3.4%.
#10 Bluffton
Located in Beaufort County, the town of Bluffton is home to 12,800 residents. Considered a part of the Lowcountry near Hilton Head, the community lies along the May River and is best known for its eclectic Old Town district. The violent crime rate here is 303.4, and residents of Bluffton have a 3.5% chance of being involved in a property crime.
#11 Lexington
A town in Lexington County, Lexington is home to 20,900 residents. Also the county seat, the community is just 12 miles from the state capital of Columbia, is close to Lake Murray, and has more than twenty buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The violent crime rate in Lexington is 310.6, and the chance of being affected by property crime here is 4.1%.
#12 Goose Creek
Located in Berkeley County, the city of Goose Creek has a current population of 35,900 residents. Considered a suburb of Charleston, the community was established in 1961 and is home to a portion of the Naval Weapons Station Charleston. The violent crime rate here is 312.9, and residents of Goose Creek have a 2.4% chance of being involved in a property crime.
#13 Port Royal
A town on Port Royal Island in Beaufort County, Port Royal is home to 10,600 residents. A part of the Hilton Head area, the community now includes the Naval Hospital Beaufort and the Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, that trains approximately 17,000 new Marines annually. The violent crime rate in Port Royal is 330.5, and the chance of being affected by property crime here is 2.2%.
#14 Irmo
Located in Richland and Lexington counties, the town of Irmo is home to 11,000 residents. Just 12 miles northwest of downtown Columbia, the community was founded in 1890, is nicknamed the “Gateway to Lake Murray”, and is known for its annual Okra Strut festival and parade. The violent crime rate here is 360, and residents of Irmo have a 2.5% chance of being involved in a property crime.
#15 Aiken
A city in Aiken County, Aiken has a current population of 29,400 residents. Also the county seat, the community is a part of the Central Savannah River area and is home to the University of South Carolina at Aiken. The violent crime rate in Aiken is 374.5, and residents of the city have a 5.3% chance of being affected by property crime.
