Dorchester, SC Crime Rate & Safety
Higher crime than 87% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Dorchester Safe?
Not really — crime is above the national average
Neighborhood choice matters significantly. Stay aware of your surroundings, especially at night.
Dorchester has a crime rate that is 48% above the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 205.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 205
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
28% higher than national average
Property Crime
1 in 80
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
32% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Dorchester 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
|
98 | -2% | Average | |
|
Assault
|
140 | +40% | Moderate | |
|
Robbery
|
89 | -11% | Average | |
|
Rape
|
126 | +26% | Moderate | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
127 | +27% | Moderate | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
55 | -45% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
41 | -59% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Dorchester Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Dorchester Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Dorchester zip codes.
Dorchester Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Dorchester, SC?
Dorchester, SC has a crime safety grade of C- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 48% above the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 205 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 80 chance for property crime. Dorchester has higher crime than 87% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Dorchester, SC safe to live in?
Dorchester has a moderate level of crime with a safety grade of C-. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Dorchester is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Dorchester?
The estimated violent crime rate in Dorchester is 487.7 per 100,000 residents, which is 28% higher than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 205 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 4.9 per 100K (2% below average); aggravated assault at 374.5 per 100K (40% above average); robbery at 65.9 per 100K (11% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Dorchester?
The estimated property crime rate in Dorchester is 1,245.2 per 100,000 residents, which is 32% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 80 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 342.7 per 100K (27% above average); larceny/theft at 770.4 per 100K (45% below average); vehicle theft at 132.1 per 100K (59% below average).
How does Dorchester crime compare to the national average?
Dorchester's overall crime rate is 48% above the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is assault (40% above average), while vehicle theft is 59% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Dorchester has higher crime than 87% of them.
Is Dorchester safe to visit?
Visitors to Dorchester should take standard urban precautions. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 32% below 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 Dorchester crime compare to the rest of South Carolina?
South Carolina as a whole has crime that is 16% above the national average. Dorchester's crime rate is 48% above the national average, making it more dangerous than the typical South Carolina city.
What type of crime is most common in Dorchester?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Dorchester, with an estimated rate of 770.4 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 45% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,245 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (488 per 100K) in Dorchester, which is consistent with national trends.