Waterloo, SC Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 67% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Waterloo Safe?
Yes — Waterloo has good safety overall
A city with below-average crime rates, though some neighborhoods may differ.
Waterloo has a crime rate that is 33% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 401.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 401
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
35% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 126
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
57% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Waterloo 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
|
50 | -50% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
67 | -33% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
65 | -35% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
57 | -43% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
77 | -23% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
38 | -62% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
16 | -84% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Waterloo Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Waterloo Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Waterloo zip codes.
Waterloo Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Waterloo, SC?
Waterloo, SC has a crime safety grade of B as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 33% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 401 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 126 chance for property crime. Waterloo has lower crime than 67% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Waterloo, SC safe to live in?
Waterloo is generally considered a safe place to live, earning a crime grade of B. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Waterloo is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Waterloo?
The estimated violent crime rate in Waterloo is 249.1 per 100,000 residents, which is 35% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 401 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 2.5 per 100K (50% below average); aggravated assault at 179.0 per 100K (33% below average); robbery at 48.3 per 100K (35% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Waterloo?
The estimated property crime rate in Waterloo is 793.0 per 100,000 residents, which is 57% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 126 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 206.7 per 100K (23% below average); larceny/theft at 533.8 per 100K (62% below average); vehicle theft at 52.5 per 100K (84% below average).
How does Waterloo crime compare to the national average?
Waterloo's overall crime rate is 33% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is burglary (23% below average), while vehicle theft is 84% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Waterloo has lower crime than 67% of them.
Is Waterloo safe to visit?
Waterloo is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 57% 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 Waterloo crime compare to the rest of South Carolina?
South Carolina as a whole has crime that is 16% above the national average. Waterloo's crime rate is 33% below the national average, making it safer the typical South Carolina city.
What type of crime is most common in Waterloo?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Waterloo, with an estimated rate of 533.8 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 62% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (793 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (249 per 100K) in Waterloo, which is consistent with national trends.