Gaffney, 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 Gaffney Safe?
Not really — crime is above the national average
Neighborhood choice matters significantly. Stay aware of your surroundings, especially at night.
Gaffney has a crime rate that is 46% above the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 172.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 172
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
53% higher than national average
Property Crime
1 in 28
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
92% higher than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Gaffney 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
|
150 | +50% | Moderate | |
|
Assault
|
157 | +57% | Moderate | |
|
Robbery
|
138 | +38% | Moderate | |
|
Rape
|
155 | +55% | Moderate | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
147 | +47% | Moderate | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
183 | +83% | Moderate | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
173 | +73% | Moderate | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Gaffney Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Gaffney Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Gaffney zip codes.
Gaffney Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Gaffney, SC?
Gaffney, SC has a crime safety grade of C- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 46% above the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 172 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 28 chance for property crime. Gaffney has higher crime than 87% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Gaffney, SC safe to live in?
Gaffney 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 Gaffney is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Gaffney?
The estimated violent crime rate in Gaffney is 582.2 per 100,000 residents, which is 53% higher than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 172 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 7.5 per 100K (50% above average); aggravated assault at 420.7 per 100K (57% above average); robbery at 101.8 per 100K (38% above average).
What is the property crime rate in Gaffney?
The estimated property crime rate in Gaffney is 3,511.9 per 100,000 residents, which is 92% higher than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 28 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 397.4 per 100K (47% above average); larceny/theft at 2,562.3 per 100K (83% above average); vehicle theft at 552.2 per 100K (73% above average).
How does Gaffney crime compare to the national average?
Gaffney's overall crime rate is 46% above the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is larceny/theft (83% above average), while robbery is 38% above average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Gaffney has higher crime than 87% of them.
Is Gaffney safe to visit?
Visitors to Gaffney should take standard urban precautions. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 92% 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 Gaffney crime compare to the rest of South Carolina?
South Carolina as a whole has crime that is 16% above the national average. Gaffney's crime rate is 46% above the national average, making it more dangerous than the typical South Carolina city.
What type of crime is most common in Gaffney?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Gaffney, with an estimated rate of 2,562.3 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 83% above the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (3,512 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (582 per 100K) in Gaffney, which is consistent with national trends.