Surfside Beach, SC Crime Rate & Safety
Last updated: May 21, 2026
Lower crime than 98% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated May 2026
Summary: Surfside Beach, SC Crime Rate (2026)
Surfside Beach, SC has a crime safety grade of A as of 2026. The overall crime rate is 52% below the national average. Surfside Beach has lower crime than 98% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Data source: FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) & local law enforcement agencies. Last updated: May 21, 2026.
Is Surfside Beach Safe?
Yes — Surfside Beach is very safe
A very safe city with well below-average crime rates overall.
Surfside Beach has a crime rate that is 52% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 540.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 540
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
51% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 102
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
47% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Surfside Beach 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
|
33 | -67% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
56 | -44% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
35 | -65% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
22 | -78% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
41 | -59% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
52 | -48% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
43 | -57% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Surfside Beach Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Surfside Beach Demographics & Context
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Surfside Beach, SC?
Surfside Beach, SC has a crime safety grade of A as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 52% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 540 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 102 chance for property crime. Surfside Beach has lower crime than 98% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Surfside Beach, SC safe to live in?
Surfside Beach is generally considered a safe place to live, earning a crime grade of A. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Surfside Beach is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Surfside Beach?
The estimated violent crime rate in Surfside Beach is 185.2 per 100,000 residents, which is 51% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 540 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 1.7 per 100K (67% below average); aggravated assault at 150.0 per 100K (44% below average); robbery at 26.0 per 100K (65% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Surfside Beach?
The estimated property crime rate in Surfside Beach is 976.5 per 100,000 residents, which is 47% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 102 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 109.8 per 100K (59% below average); larceny/theft at 729.5 per 100K (48% below average); vehicle theft at 137.2 per 100K (57% below average).
How does Surfside Beach crime compare to the national average?
Surfside Beach's overall crime rate is 52% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is assault (44% below average), while rape is 78% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Surfside Beach has lower crime than 98% of them.
Is Surfside Beach safe to visit?
Surfside Beach is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 47% 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 Surfside Beach crime compare to the rest of South Carolina?
South Carolina as a whole has crime that is 16% above the national average. Surfside Beach's crime rate is 52% below the national average, making it safer the typical South Carolina city.
What type of crime is most common in Surfside Beach?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Surfside Beach, with an estimated rate of 729.5 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 48% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (977 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (185 per 100K) in Surfside Beach, which is consistent with national trends.