Cayce, SC Crime Map

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Crime in Cayce, SC

What is Cayce's overall crime grade?

Cayce, SC receives an overall crime grade of C- for 2026. This grade reflects a crime environment that is somewhat elevated compared to the national average, influenced in part by the city's 19.4% poverty rate and 5.3% unemployment rate — both of which are statistically correlated with higher crime frequency. With a population of roughly 13,964 spread across a low-density footprint of 318 residents per square mile, Cayce is not a high-density urban environment, but its crime metrics still place it in the lower-middle tier of safety grades. Residents should use the interactive crime map to identify specific incident clusters rather than treating the entire city as uniformly risky.

Is Cayce safe to live in?

Safety in Cayce is best understood through its data profile. The city earns a C- overall crime grade, meaning roughly 60–65% of comparable U.S. cities score better on combined violent and property crime metrics. That said, Cayce's low population density of 318 people per square mile means crime incidents are not as concentrated as in denser metros. Property crimes — including theft and vehicle break-ins — tend to account for the largest share of reported incidents. Violent crime exists but is more localized. Neighborhoods closer to the Riverwalk corridor and near the Cayce Historical Museum district have historically reported fewer incidents on the crime map, making them comparatively safer choices for families.

What are the safest neighborhoods in Cayce?

Based on crime map data, areas near North Cayce and the Riverwalk district tend to show lower incident densities. The neighborhoods bordering the West Columbia line and those adjacent to local parks and schools also report fewer property and violent crime events. By contrast, some corridors closer to higher-traffic commercial zones show elevated theft and vandalism rates on the heat map. Cayce's overall C- grade is an average across all neighborhoods — meaning some areas grade closer to a B while others pull the average down toward D territory. Using the time-filter and category-filter tools on the crime map lets you isolate which specific blocks align with your safety priorities.

What types of crimes are most common in Cayce?

Property crimes dominate Cayce's incident reports, consistent with national patterns for cities of its size and income profile. With a median household income of $52,713 and a median home value of $129,226 — both below South Carolina's statewide medians — economic pressure contributes to elevated rates of theft, larceny, and vehicle-related offenses. Vandalism and drug-related incidents are also present, particularly in areas with higher poverty concentration. Violent crimes such as assault occur but represent a smaller percentage of total incidents. The C- overall grade reflects this blend: property crime is the primary driver pulling the score down, while violent crime, though present, is not the dominant concern for most residents.

How does Cayce's crime rate compare to other South Carolina cities?

Cayce's C- crime grade places it in the lower-middle range when benchmarked against similarly sized South Carolina municipalities. Cities with stronger economic indicators — lower poverty rates well below Cayce's 19.4% and unemployment below Cayce's 5.3% — typically score in the B range or higher. Larger cities like Columbia, which borders Cayce, carry their own elevated crime profiles, and some of that activity spills into adjacent communities. However, Cayce's low density of 318 people per square mile does limit the sheer volume of incidents compared to denser urban neighbors. In practical terms, Cayce is safer than the core of Columbia but faces more crime pressure than smaller, wealthier suburban towns in the Midlands region.

Is Cayce a good place to buy a home from a safety perspective?

From a data standpoint, Cayce offers affordable entry-level homeownership — with a median home value of just $129,226 and median rent of $1,024 — but the C- crime grade is a factor prospective buyers should weigh carefully. Homes in lower-incident neighborhoods like North Cayce or the Riverwalk area may carry slightly higher price tags but offer a better safety profile. Buyers should cross-reference the crime map's heat layers with specific addresses before committing. It's also worth noting that Cayce's 19.4% poverty rate is a structural factor that influences crime trends citywide; improvements in local economic conditions over time could meaningfully improve the city's grade. For now, neighborhood-level due diligence is strongly recommended.