Horry County Crime & Safety

Horry County, South Carolina

Safety Score

8/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

High Crime

Total Crime Rate

2943.2

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

419.8

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

2523.4

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

8/100

Higher = safer

State avg 14/100

State Safety Rank

#27

of 46 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Horry County, South Carolina

Horry County Crime Exceeds National Baselines

Horry County reports 2943.2 crimes per 100K residents, significantly higher than the national average of 2,385.5. The county maintains a safety score of 95.4, matching the broader South Carolina average.

Horry County Matches State Safety Benchmarks

With a safety score of 95.4, Horry County aligns perfectly with the South Carolina average. However, its total crime rate is slightly higher than the state mean of 2,920.8 per 100K.

Comparing Horry to Neighboring Lexington

Horry County is considerably safer than Lexington County, which struggles with a much higher crime rate of 4656.1. Horry benefits from 17 reporting agencies monitoring its high-traffic coastal and inland areas.

Property Crimes Drive Horry's Statistics

Property crime sits at 2523.4 per 100K, while violent crime remains lower at 419.8. This suggests that the majority of police activity involves theft or burglary rather than interpersonal violence.

Protecting Coastal and Inland Properties

High property crime rates suggest that securing points of entry is vital for local homeowners. Investing in a monitored security system can provide peace of mind in this high-activity county.

SimpliSafe Home Security

Professional 24/7 monitoring for Horry County. No long-term contracts.

Get Protected →

ADT Security Systems

Trusted home security for Horry County residents since 1874.

Get a Quote →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Horry County, SC?

Horry County has a total crime rate of 2943.2 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (419.8 per 100K) and property crimes (2523.4 per 100K).

Is Horry County, SC safe?

Horry County has a safety score of 8/100, rated "High Crime". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #27 out of 46 counties in South Carolina for safety (1 = safest).

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

With a safety score of 95.4, Horry County aligns perfectly with the South Carolina average. However, its total crime rate is slightly higher than the state mean of 2,920.8 per 100K.

What types of crime are most common in Horry County?

Property crime sits at 2523.4 per 100K, while violent crime remains lower at 419.8. This suggests that the majority of police activity involves theft or burglary rather than interpersonal violence.

How is crime data measured and reported for Horry County?

Crime data for Horry 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.

What is being done about crime in Horry County?

Horry County has a safety score of 8/100, which is below the South Carolina average of 14/100. Many counties with above-average crime rates invest in community policing, crime prevention programs, neighborhood watch initiatives, and social services aimed at reducing crime over time.