Union County Crime & Safety

Union County, South Carolina

Safety Score

4/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

High Crime

Total Crime Rate

3788.9

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

552.3

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

3236.6

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

4/100

Higher = safer

State avg 14/100

State Safety Rank

#38

of 46 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Union County, South Carolina

High total crime impacts safety score

Union County reports a total crime rate of 3,788.9 per 100K, nearly 60% higher than the national average. This results in a safety score of 94.0, which is lower than many peer counties.

Union trails the state safety average

At 94.0, Union’s safety score is lower than the South Carolina average of 95.4. The total crime rate of 3,788.9 is also higher than the state-wide average of 2,920.8.

Crime trends higher than nearby Saluda

Union’s crime rate is triple that of neighboring Saluda County, which reports only 1,039.4 per 100K. This contrast highlights a concentrated area of activity within the region.

Property crime drives local statistics

Property crime is exceptionally high at 3,236.6 per 100K, well above the national rate of 2,015.7. Conversely, the violent crime rate of 552.3 is lower than the South Carolina average.

Deterring theft in Union County

Since property crime is the primary concern, residents should focus on securing valuables and locking doors. Local agencies are working to address these high rates through increased community patrols.

SimpliSafe Home Security

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

Get Protected →

ADT Security Systems

Trusted home security for Union County residents since 1874.

Get a Quote →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Union County, SC?

Union County has a total crime rate of 3788.9 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (552.3 per 100K) and property crimes (3236.6 per 100K).

Is Union County, SC safe?

Union County has a safety score of 4/100, rated "High Crime". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #38 out of 46 counties in South Carolina for safety (1 = safest).

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

At 94.0, Union’s safety score is lower than the South Carolina average of 95.4. The total crime rate of 3,788.9 is also higher than the state-wide average of 2,920.8.

What types of crime are most common in Union County?

Property crime is exceptionally high at 3,236.6 per 100K, well above the national rate of 2,015.7. Conversely, the violent crime rate of 552.3 is lower than the South Carolina average.

How is crime data measured and reported for Union County?

Crime data for Union 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 Union County?

Union County has a safety score of 4/100, 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.