Westside Neighborhood, Charleston

Last updated: May 1, 2026

Crime Rate & Statistics

D+

Elevated crime — noticeably above the national average

Safer than 11% of neighborhoods in Charleston

Summary: Westside, Charleston Crime Rate (2026)

Westside in Charleston, SC has a crime safety grade of D+ as of 2026. The overall crime index is 170, which is 70% above the national average. Westside is safer than 11% of neighborhoods in Charleston.

Data source: FBI UCR & local law enforcement data. Last updated: May 1, 2026.

Safety at a Glance

Overall Crime High

Low 170 / 300 High

Violent Crime 175

75% above national avg

Property Crime 166

66% above national avg

City Ranking

11%

safer than other

Charleston neighborhoods

Check a specific address

in Charleston

Is Westside Safe?

No — crime is noticeably above average here. Westside in Charleston, SC has a safety grade of D+. The overall crime index is 170, which is 70% above the national average of 100. Westside is safer than 11% of neighborhoods in Charleston.

Compared to the Charleston average (crime index 125), Westside is 45% higher in overall crime. Residents and visitors should exercise extra caution in this area, particularly after dark.

Looking at specific crime types, vehicle theft is the most elevated concern (index: 185, 85% above average), while burglary is the lowest risk (index: 134).

Highest Risk

Vehicle Theft · Index 185 (85% above avg)

Lowest Risk

Burglary · Index 134 (34% above avg)

Westside Crime Breakdown

Crime indices compared to national average (100) and Charleston city average. Higher values mean more crime.

Crime Type	Index	vs National	vs Charleston	Risk Level
Violent Crime
Murder	180	+80%	+47%	High
Assault	178	+78%	+41%	High
Robbery	173	+73%	+38%	High
Rape	169	+69%	N/A	High
Property Crime
Burglary	134	+34%	+6%	Moderate
Larceny / Theft	179	+79%	+32%	High
Vehicle Theft	185	+85%	+38%	High

How Westside Compares

Crime index by category: Westside vs Charleston average vs national average.

Crime by Category

Overall Crime Comparison

Westside Crime Map

Crime heatmap based on block-group level data. Red areas indicate higher crime density.

Full Screen Map

Crime Level: Low Below Avg Average Above Avg High

See the crime score for a specific address

Westside Demographics & Context

Population

3,117

Median Income

$37,928

Home Value

$563,267

Median Age

Pop. Density

6,309/mi²

Education

Bachelor's Degree 21.1%

Graduate Degree 14.9%

Housing

30%

70%

Owner-occupied Renter-occupied

Racial Demographics

White 29%

Black 67.5%

Hispanic 1.6%

Asian 0.5%

Nearby Neighborhoods

Hampton Park Terrace Index: 108

B+

Cannonborough / Elliottborough Index: 156

Radcliffeborough Index: 138

A-

North Central Index: 148

Wagener Terrace Index: 102

A-

Eastside Index: 188

Harleston Village Index: 161

A-

East Central Index: 179

D-

Westside Crime Map

Interactive crime heatmap for this neighborhood

Charleston Crime Statistics

View all Charleston neighborhoods & city-wide data

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Westside, Charleston?

Westside in Charleston, SC has a crime safety grade of D+ as of 2026. The overall crime index is 170, which is 70% above the national average. Compared to the Charleston average, crime in Westside is 45% higher. Westside is safer than 11% of neighborhoods in Charleston.

Is Westside a safe neighborhood in Charleston?

Westside has elevated crime levels with a safety grade of D+. Extra caution is recommended, especially at night. The highest concern is Vehicle Theft (index: 185), while Burglary is the lowest risk (index: 134). It is one of the higher-crime neighborhoods in Charleston.

How does Westside compare to the rest of Charleston?

Westside's overall crime index is 170, compared to the Charleston average of 125. This means crime in Westside is 45% higher than the city average. For violent crime, the index is 175, and for property crime it is 166. However, crime can vary block by block, so checking the crime map for specific streets is recommended.

What type of crime is most common in Westside?

The most prevalent crime type in Westside is Vehicle Theft, with a crime index of 185 (85% above the national average). Violent crime is a particular concern in this neighborhood relative to property crime.

What are safer neighborhoods near Westside?

Nearby neighborhoods with good safety ratings include Hampton Park Terrace, Cannonborough / Elliottborough, Radcliffeborough and Wagener Terrace. These areas are close to Westside and offer lower crime rates, making them worth considering for residents who prioritize safety.

What are the demographics of Westside?

Westside has a population of approximately 3,117. The median household income is $37,928. The median home value is $563,267. Research shows that economic factors can correlate with crime rates, though many other variables play a role in neighborhood safety.

How does Westside crime compare to the national average?

Westside's overall crime rate is 70% above the national average (index 170 vs 100). Within Charleston, it is safer than 11% of neighborhoods. For the most accurate picture, review the per-crime-type breakdown above, as some categories may differ significantly from the overall trend.

Crime data sourced from FBI UCR reports and local law enforcement agencies. Crime indices use 100 as the national average. Updated May 2026.