North Charleston, SC Crime Rate & Safety

North Charleston, SC has a crime safety grade of C- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 27% above the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 239 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 34 chance for property crime. North Charleston has higher crime than 82% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).

North Charleston has a moderate level of crime with a safety grade of C-. Approximately 50% of the city's 4 neighborhoods are rated A or B for safety. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. For example, North Charleston is one of the safest areas, while Silver Hill / Magnolia has higher crime rates. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting North Charleston is strongly recommended.

Based on 2026 crime data, the safest neighborhoods in North Charleston are North Charleston, Four Mile Hibernian, Rosemont, and Silver Hill / Magnolia. These areas have significantly lower crime rates than the city average and are popular choices for families, professionals, and anyone prioritizing safety.

The neighborhoods with the highest crime rates in North Charleston include Silver Hill / Magnolia, Four Mile Hibernian, and North Charleston. These areas experience significantly more crime than the city average. Visitors and prospective residents should exercise extra caution in these neighborhoods, particularly at night.

The estimated violent crime rate in North Charleston is 418.1 per 100,000 residents, which is 10% higher than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 239 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 6.8 per 100K (36% above average); aggravated assault at 284.7 per 100K (6% above average); robbery at 86.1 per 100K (17% above average).

The estimated property crime rate in North Charleston is 2,964.2 per 100,000 residents, which is 62% higher than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 34 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 384.2 per 100K (42% above average); larceny/theft at 2,105.4 per 100K (50% above average); vehicle theft at 474.6 per 100K (49% above average).

North Charleston's overall crime rate is 27% above the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is larceny/theft (50% above average), while assault is 6% above average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, North Charleston has higher crime than 82% of them.

Visitors to North Charleston should take standard urban precautions. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 62% 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. Popular, safer areas for visitors include North Charleston, Four Mile Hibernian, Rosemont.

South Carolina as a whole has crime that is 16% above the national average. North Charleston's crime rate is 27% above the national average, making it more dangerous than the typical South Carolina city.

Larceny/theft is the most common crime in North Charleston, with an estimated rate of 2,105.4 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 50% above the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (2,964 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (418 per 100K) in North Charleston, which is consistent with national trends.