Beaufort County Crime & Safety

Beaufort County, South Carolina

Safety Score

22/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

High Crime

Total Crime Rate

2013.5

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

398.8

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

1614.7

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

22/100

Higher = safer

State avg 14/100

State Safety Rank

of 46 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Beaufort County, South Carolina

Beaufort County: A National Safety Leader

Beaufort County boasts an excellent safety score of 96.8. Its total crime rate of 2013.5 per 100K is significantly lower than the national average of 2385.5.

Beaufort Leads South Carolina in Safety

Beaufort's safety score of 96.8 is much higher than the state average of 95.4. The total crime rate of 2013.5 is also nearly 1000 points lower than the state average of 2920.8.

A Safe Choice in the Lowcountry

Beaufort stands out as one of the safest counties in the region, outperforming most of its coastal neighbors. Its violent crime rate of 398.8 per 100K is much lower than the state average of 580.8.

Lower Crime Across All Categories

The property crime rate of 1614.7 per 100K is well below the national property rate of 2015.7. Violent crime is 398.8, which is only slightly higher than the national average of 369.8.

Maintaining a Secure Beaufort Home

While Beaufort is exceptionally safe, residents should still guard against the 1614.7 property crimes per 100K. Simple precautions like locking doors and windows are effective in this low-crime environment.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Beaufort County, SC?

Beaufort County has a total crime rate of 2013.5 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (398.8 per 100K) and property crimes (1614.7 per 100K).

Is Beaufort County, SC safe?

Beaufort County has a safety score of 22/100, rated "High Crime". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #6 out of 46 counties in South Carolina for safety (1 = safest).

How does Beaufort County crime compare to the South Carolina average?

Beaufort's safety score of 96.8 is much higher than the state average of 95.4. The total crime rate of 2013.5 is also nearly 1000 points lower than the state average of 2920.8.

What types of crime are most common in Beaufort County?

The property crime rate of 1614.7 per 100K is well below the national property rate of 2015.7. Violent crime is 398.8, which is only slightly higher than the national average of 369.8.

How is crime data measured and reported for Beaufort County?

Crime data for Beaufort County comes from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program. Local law enforcement agencies submit data on violent crimes (murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) and property crimes (burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft) to the FBI. Rates are calculated per 100,000 residents to allow fair comparison between counties of different sizes. The safety score (0-100) is derived from these rates, with higher scores indicating safer counties.

Why is Beaufort County safer than the South Carolina average?

Beaufort County has a safety score of 22/100, which is above the South Carolina average of 14/100. Factors such as local law enforcement effectiveness, community programs, socioeconomic conditions, and population density all contribute to lower crime rates in certain counties.