Lake City, 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 Lake City Safe?
No — Lake City has very high crime
Strong precautions are advised for residents and visitors.
Lake City has a crime rate that is 564% above the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 41.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 41
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
548% higher than national average
Property Crime
1 in 8
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
573% higher than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Lake City 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
|
664 | +564% | Very High | |
|
Assault
|
686 | +586% | Very High | |
|
Robbery
|
485 | +385% | Very High | |
|
Rape
|
699 | +599% | Very High | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
542 | +442% | Very High | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
612 | +512% | Very High | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
721 | +621% | Very High | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Lake City Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Lake City Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Lake City zip codes.
Lake City Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Lake City, SC?
Lake City, SC has a crime safety grade of F as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 564% above the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 41 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 8 chance for property crime. Lake City has higher crime than 100% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Lake City, SC safe to live in?
Lake City has elevated crime levels with a safety grade of F. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Lake City is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Lake City?
The estimated violent crime rate in Lake City is 2,466.7 per 100,000 residents, which is 548% higher than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 41 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 33.2 per 100K (564% above average); aggravated assault at 1,840.1 per 100K (586% above average); robbery at 358.5 per 100K (385% above average).
What is the property crime rate in Lake City?
The estimated property crime rate in Lake City is 12,337.8 per 100,000 residents, which is 573% higher than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 8 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 1,462.0 per 100K (442% above average); larceny/theft at 8,577.0 per 100K (512% above average); vehicle theft at 2,298.8 per 100K (621% above average).
How does Lake City crime compare to the national average?
Lake City's overall crime rate is 564% above the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is vehicle theft (621% above average), while robbery is 385% above average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Lake City has higher crime than 100% of them.
Is Lake City safe to visit?
Visitors to Lake City should be cautious, especially in high-crime neighborhoods. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 573% 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 Lake City crime compare to the rest of South Carolina?
South Carolina as a whole has crime that is 16% above the national average. Lake City's crime rate is 564% above the national average, making it more dangerous than the typical South Carolina city.
What type of crime is most common in Lake City?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Lake City, with an estimated rate of 8,577.0 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 512% above the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (12,338 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (2,467 per 100K) in Lake City, which is consistent with national trends.