Summerville, SC Crime Rate & Safety

Summerville, SC has a crime safety grade of B- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 20% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 316 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 47 chance for property crime. Summerville has lower crime than 49% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).

Summerville is generally considered a safe place to live, earning a crime grade of B-. Approximately 100% of the city's 7 neighborhoods are rated A or B for safety. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. For example, Legends Oaks Plantation is one of the safest areas, while The Ponds has higher crime rates. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Summerville is strongly recommended.

Based on 2026 crime data, the safest neighborhoods in Summerville are Legends Oaks Plantation, Pine Forest Country Club, Wescott Plantation, Sangaree, and Cane Bay Plantation. 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 Summerville include The Ponds, Nexton, Cane Bay Plantation, Sangaree, and Wescott Plantation. 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 Summerville is 316.1 per 100,000 residents, which is 17% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 316 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 4.6 per 100K (9% below average); aggravated assault at 208.3 per 100K (22% below average); robbery at 75.1 per 100K (2% above average).

The estimated property crime rate in Summerville is 2,122.9 per 100,000 residents, which is 16% higher than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 47 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 264.8 per 100K (2% below average); larceny/theft at 1,531.6 per 100K (9% above average); vehicle theft at 326.5 per 100K (2% above average).

Summerville's overall crime rate is 20% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is larceny/theft (9% above average), while assault is 22% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Summerville has lower crime than 49% of them.

Summerville is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 16% 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 Legends Oaks Plantation, Pine Forest Country Club, Wescott Plantation.

South Carolina as a whole has crime that is 16% above the national average. Summerville's crime rate is 20% below the national average, making it safer the typical South Carolina city.

Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Summerville, with an estimated rate of 1,531.6 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 9% above the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (2,123 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (316 per 100K) in Summerville, which is consistent with national trends.