Chester, SC Crime Rate & Safety
Higher crime than 100% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Chester Safe?
No — Chester has high crime rates
Exercise extra caution. Avoid walking alone at night and stay in well-lit areas.
Chester has a crime rate that is 291% above the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 66.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 66
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
296% higher than national average
Property Crime
1 in 12
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
373% higher than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Chester Crime Breakdown
Estimated crime rates based on FBI UCR data, calibrated to city-level crime score.
| Crime Type | Index | vs National | Risk Level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | ||||
|
Murder
|
371 | +271% | High | |
|
Assault
|
413 | +313% | Very High | |
|
Robbery
|
327 | +227% | High | |
|
Rape
|
424 | +324% | Very High | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
347 | +247% | High | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
454 | +354% | Very High | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
432 | +332% | Very High | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Chester Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Chester Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Chester zip codes.
Chester Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Chester, SC?
Chester, SC has a crime safety grade of D- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 291% above the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 66 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 12 chance for property crime. Chester has higher crime than 100% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Chester, SC safe to live in?
Chester has elevated crime levels with a safety grade of D-. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Chester is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Chester?
The estimated violent crime rate in Chester is 1,509.4 per 100,000 residents, which is 296% higher than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 66 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 18.6 per 100K (271% above average); aggravated assault at 1,106.6 per 100K (313% above average); robbery at 241.9 per 100K (227% above average).
What is the property crime rate in Chester?
The estimated property crime rate in Chester is 8,674.7 per 100,000 residents, which is 373% higher than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 12 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 935.1 per 100K (247% above average); larceny/theft at 6,362.8 per 100K (354% above average); vehicle theft at 1,376.8 per 100K (332% above average).
How does Chester crime compare to the national average?
Chester's overall crime rate is 291% above the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is larceny/theft (354% above average), while robbery is 227% above average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Chester has higher crime than 100% of them.
Is Chester safe to visit?
Visitors to Chester should be cautious, especially in high-crime neighborhoods. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 373% above average, which is typically the main concern for tourists. Avoid leaving valuables in vehicles, stay aware of your surroundings in unfamiliar areas, and stick to well-traveled neighborhoods.
How does Chester crime compare to the rest of South Carolina?
South Carolina as a whole has crime that is 16% above the national average. Chester's crime rate is 291% above the national average, making it more dangerous than the typical South Carolina city.
What type of crime is most common in Chester?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Chester, with an estimated rate of 6,362.8 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 354% above the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (8,675 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (1,509 per 100K) in Chester, which is consistent with national trends.