Summerville, SC Crime Map

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Summerville, SC Crime

Is Summerville, SC safe to live in?

Yes — Summerville earns an overall crime grade of B- citywide, while its analyzed neighborhood-level data produces a city-wide safety rating of Very Safe (A). Of the 7 neighborhoods studied, 100% received a Grade A, meaning not a single neighborhood fell into the B, C, D, or F tier. Top performers like Legends Oaks Plantation (A+) and Pine Forest Country Club (A+) anchor that strong showing. For context, the national benchmark typically sees only 20–30% of neighborhoods reach Grade A status, so Summerville's clean sweep is statistically notable. Residents enjoy a population density of just 1,050 people per square mile, which research consistently correlates with lower property and violent crime rates compared to denser urban cores.

What is the crime rate in Summerville, SC in 2026?

Summerville's crime picture in 2026 is defined by its B- overall crime grade and a neighborhood-level safety rating of Very Safe (A). All 7 analyzed neighborhoods — covering a combined population that includes dense communities like Wescott Plantation (8,002 residents) and Sangaree (6,353 residents) — hold Grade A ratings. That means 100% of Summerville's analyzed neighborhoods qualify as safe (A or B), versus the national average where roughly 40–50% of neighborhoods fall into the C–F range. The city's 10% poverty rate and 6.6% unemployment rate are moderate factors that contribute to the overall B- citywide score, but at the neighborhood level the data consistently reflects low criminal activity across all parts of town studied.

What are the safest neighborhoods in Summerville, SC?

Based on 2026 neighborhood crime data, the two top-rated communities are Legends Oaks Plantation and Pine Forest Country Club, both earning Grade A+ — the highest possible rating. Key data points:

• Legends Oaks Plantation — Grade A+, population 164, median household income $111,580 (85% above the city median of $60,271).
• Pine Forest Country Club — Grade A+, population 1,015, median household income $93,686 (55% above city median).
• Wescott Plantation — Grade A, population 8,002 (the largest analyzed neighborhood), median income $105,043.
• Sangaree — Grade A, population 6,353, median income $74,058 — notably safe given its size and more moderate income level.
• Cane Bay Plantation — Grade A, population 1,511, median income $74,400.
• Nexton — Grade A, population 2,160, median income $77,143.
• The Ponds — Grade A, population 680, median income $61,350 — closest to the city median yet still Grade A.

The income range across safe neighborhoods spans from $61,350 to $111,580, demonstrating that safety in Summerville is not limited to the most affluent enclaves — even communities near the citywide median household income of $60,271 maintain Grade A ratings.

Which Summerville neighborhoods have the most crime?

Within the 7 neighborhoods analyzed, The Ponds, Nexton, Cane Bay Plantation, Sangaree, and Wescott Plantation represent the relatively higher end of the crime spectrum — yet every single one still holds a Grade A rating. There are no Grade B, C, D, or F neighborhoods in Summerville's dataset. This means that even the "highest crime" neighborhoods in town are statistically safe by any standard grading rubric. For residents comparing options, the distinction between these communities and the A+ neighborhoods (Legends Oaks Plantation and Pine Forest Country Club) is marginal in absolute terms — all fall within the safest tier.

Is Summerville, SC a good place to buy a home in 2026?

From a crime and safety perspective, the data strongly supports Summerville as a sound choice. Consider the numbers: 100% of analyzed neighborhoods are Grade A, the city-wide safety rating is Very Safe (A), and the median home value sits at $215,884 — well below the national median, suggesting buyers still have room for appreciation in a low-crime environment. The median household income of $60,271 and median rent of $1,157 indicate a relatively affordable cost of living. Larger planned communities like Wescott Plantation (8,002 residents, Grade A, median income $105,043) and Nexton (2,160 residents, Grade A, median income $77,143) offer scale and amenities alongside strong safety grades, making them worth prioritizing in your search. The 6.6% unemployment rate is a factor to watch, but the 10% poverty rate — below many comparable Southern cities — helps sustain the neighborhood-level safety grades seen across the board.

How does Summerville's safety compare to other South Carolina cities?

Summerville's combination of a B- overall crime grade and a 100% Grade A neighborhood rate places it in a strong position relative to many South Carolina municipalities. The city's population density of 1,050 people per square mile is low enough to limit the clustering effects that drive crime in higher-density areas, while its median home value of $215,884 and median income of $60,271 reflect a stable economic base. Communities like Sangaree — a Grade A neighborhood with 6,353 residents and a median income of $74,058 — demonstrate that Summerville's safety profile holds even in its larger, more diverse residential zones, which is a meaningful differentiator from cities where only small, wealthy enclaves achieve top safety grades.