Charleston, SC Crime Map

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Charleston, SC Crime

Is Charleston, SC safe in 2026?

Yes, Charleston ranks as a Safe (B) city overall. Of the 18 neighborhoods analyzed, 78% earn a combined A or B grade, meaning the majority of the city's residential areas present low to moderate crime risk. Specifically, 61.1% of neighborhoods hold a Grade A, including standouts like Shadowmoss (A+), Daniel Island (A+), and Charlestowne/South of Broad (A+). On the other end, only 16.7% of neighborhoods — three in total — fall into the D range (East Central at D-, Eastside at D, and Westside at D+), and no neighborhood received an F grade. The city's overall crime grade is C+, reflecting a metro area that is largely safe but with pockets of elevated risk concentrated in specific corridors. Consulting the Charleston crime map before choosing where to live, work, or visit remains the best way to navigate those distinctions.

What is the crime rate in Charleston, SC by neighborhood?

Crime rates in Charleston vary significantly by neighborhood, which is why letter grades are the most practical way to compare them. At the top of the safety spectrum, 11 of 18 neighborhoods (61.1%) earned an A-range grade: French Quarter (A), Ansonborough (A), Gadsden Wharf (A), Mazyck-Wraggborough (A), Harleston Village (A-), and Radcliffeborough (A-) join the four A+ neighborhoods. Three neighborhoods — including Charleston Farms (B-) — sit in the B range (16.7%). The middle tier is slim: only North Central earned a C grade (5.6%). The highest-crime tier covers three neighborhoods at D+ or below (16.7%): Westside (D+), Eastside (D), and East Central (D-). That distribution means a resident choosing among Charleston's analyzed neighborhoods has roughly a 4-in-5 chance of landing in an A- or B-rated area, a notably favorable ratio compared to many similarly sized metro areas.

What are the safest neighborhoods in Charleston, SC?

The four Grade A+ neighborhoods set the benchmark for safety in Charleston: Shadowmoss (pop. 3,477; median income $84,125), Village Green (pop. 770; median income $111,452), Charlestowne/South of Broad (pop. 1,495; median income $138,523), and Daniel Island (pop. 4,426; median income $119,530). Just behind them, French Quarter (A; median income $152,529) posts the highest median income of any analyzed neighborhood despite its small population of 129. Ansonborough (A; median income $54,585) and Mazyck-Wraggborough (A; median income $27,269) are notable because they demonstrate that a Grade A safety rating is achievable across a wide income range — not exclusively in affluent enclaves. Rounding out the A tier, Harleston Village (A-; pop. 5,126) is the largest of the top-rated neighborhoods, suggesting that size alone does not undermine safety when community infrastructure is strong.

Which neighborhoods in Charleston have the highest crime?

Three neighborhoods account for Charleston's highest-crime tier. East Central carries the lowest grade at D-, making it the area of greatest concern among all 18 neighborhoods analyzed. Eastside follows at a D grade, and Westside sits at D+. Together, these three neighborhoods represent 16.7% of the analyzed neighborhoods — a meaningful but contained share of the city. North Central (C) and Charleston Farms (B-) occupy the middle ground; they are not high-crime areas by national standards but do fall below the city's dominant A-range profile. If you are evaluating housing or planning routes near these corridors, the Charleston crime map's incident-level detail can help you identify specific blocks or times of day that warrant extra awareness.

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

Charleston's overall crime grade of C+ and its city-wide safety rating of B place it in a favorable position relative to many South Carolina urban centers. With 78% of its neighborhoods graded A or B and zero neighborhoods receiving an F, the distribution skews heavily toward safety. The city's unemployment rate of 3.4% and median household income of $72,071 — well above the state median — support conditions that correlate with lower crime. The poverty rate of 12.6% is a factor in localized higher-crime pockets like East Central and Eastside, but it has not dragged down the city-wide rating. For context, a metro where 61% of neighborhoods earn an A grade is performing well above average, and Charleston's lack of any F-rated neighborhoods in 2026 is a positive data point for prospective residents and investors.

Is Charleston safe for tourists and visitors?

For most visitors, Charleston is a safe destination. The historic districts that draw the most tourism — French Quarter (A), Ansonborough (A), Charlestowne/South of Broad (A+), and Harleston Village (A-) — all carry strong safety grades. Gadsden Wharf (A), a popular waterfront area, also earns a top-tier rating. These neighborhoods collectively cover the bulk of Charleston's tourist footprint and represent some of the city's safest zip codes. Visitors should exercise the same common-sense precautions used in any city — securing valuables, staying aware of surroundings after dark, and checking the Charleston crime map for real-time incident data near their accommodations. Areas farther from the tourist core, such as Eastside (D) and East Central (D-), are less frequented by visitors but worth noting if travel plans extend beyond the historic peninsula.

Is Charleston a good place to live in 2026?

By the numbers, Charleston presents a compelling case. The city's median home value of $349,993 and median rent of $1,318 reflect a competitive but not prohibitive housing market. A 3.4% unemployment rate signals a healthy labor market, and a median household income of $72,071 provides solid purchasing power relative to housing costs. From a safety standpoint, 11 of 18 analyzed neighborhoods earn an A grade, and the city-wide safety rating is B — meaning most residential choices land in low-crime territory. Families drawn to suburban comfort can look at Shadowmoss (A+) and Daniel Island (A+), both of which combine strong safety grades with populations large enough to support schools, parks, and retail. Urban professionals may favor Harleston Village (A-) or Radcliffeborough (A-) for walkability paired with safety. The 12.6% poverty rate is a reminder that economic inequality persists, and neighborhoods like North Central (C) and the D-rated areas reflect that reality — but they represent a minority of the city's residential landscape.