Is Charleston Safe?
With an overall crime index of 125, Charleston has a 25% higher crime rate than the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 185. However, safety varies dramatically by neighborhood, with areas like Shadowmoss earning an A+ grade while East Central rates D-.
Crime Index Comparison
Charleston
South Carolina Avg
National Avg
100 = national average. Higher values indicate more crime.
Crime Index
125
25% above average
Violent Crime
135
35% above average
Property Crime
141
41% above average
Safe Areas
78%
Neighborhoods rated A or B
Your chance of violent crime in Charleston
1 in 185
Property crime: 1 in 177
Where Is It Safe in Charleston?
Safest Neighborhoods
1
A+
2
A+
3
A+
4
A+
5
A
6
A
7
A
8
A
9
A-
10
A-
Shadowmoss
Median income: $84,125
Village Green
Median income: $111,452
Charlestowne / South of Broad
Median income: $138,523
Daniel Island
Median income: $119,530
French Quarter
Median income: $152,529
Ansonborough
Median income: $54,585
Gadsden Wharf
Median income: $76,667
Mazyck-Wraggborough
Median income: $27,269
Harleston Village
Median income: $48,037
Radcliffeborough
Median income: $37,707
Explore the Interactive Crime Map
See neighborhood-level heatmap
Check Registered Offenders
Search offenders near any address
Charleston Crime Breakdown
Highest Risk
Larceny / Theft · 47% above avg
Lowest Risk
Burglary · 28% above avg
| Crime Type | Index | vs National | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Murder Violent | 133 | ▲ 33% | |
| Assault Violent | 137 | ▲ 37% | |
| Robbery Violent | 135 | ▲ 35% | |
| Burglary Property | 128 | ▲ 28% | |
| Larceny / Theft Property | 147 | ▲ 47% | |
| Vehicle Theft Property | 147 | ▲ 47% |
Violent vs Property Crime
Neighborhood Safety Distribution
All Charleston Neighborhoods
| # | Neighborhood | Grade | Crime Index |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shadowmoss | A+ | 22 |
| 2 | Village Green | A+ | 10 |
| 3 | Charlestowne / South of Broad | A+ | 79 |
| 4 | Daniel Island | A+ | 58 |
| 5 | French Quarter | A | 163 |
| 6 | Ansonborough | A | 140 |
| 7 | Gadsden Wharf | A | 162 |
| 8 | Mazyck-Wraggborough | A | 118 |
| 9 | Harleston Village | A- | 161 |
| 10 | Radcliffeborough | A- | 138 |
| 11 | Wagener Terrace | A- | 102 |
| 12 | Hampton Park Terrace | B+ | 108 |
| 13 | Cannonborough / Elliottborough | B | 156 |
| 14 | Charleston Farms | B- | 147 |
| 15 | North Central | C | 148 |
| 16 | Westside | D+ | 170 |
| 17 | Eastside | D | 188 |
| 18 | East Central | D- | 179 |
Charleston Crime by Zip Code
Charleston Demographics & Cost of Living
Population
645,413
Median Income
$72,071
Home Value
$349,993
Median Rent
$1,318
Home Ownership
55%
Racial Demographics
White
66.4%
Black
26.5%
Hispanic
5.3%
Asian
2%
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Charleston?
Charleston has an overall crime index of 125, which is above the national average of 100. Approximately 78% of neighborhoods in Charleston are rated A or B for safety.
Is Charleston safe to live in?
Charleston has a crime safety grade of B. Average crime. Safety varies significantly by neighborhood, so it is important to research specific areas before moving.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Charleston?
The safest neighborhoods in Charleston based on crime data include Shadowmoss, Village Green, Charlestowne / South of Broad, Daniel Island, and French Quarter. These areas have the lowest crime indices in the city.
How does Charleston crime compare to the national average?
Charleston's overall crime index is 125 compared to the national average of 100, meaning crime is 25% higher than the typical US city.
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