Study: Safest Cities in South Carolina 2016

By Rebecca Lake

"Smiling Faces, Beautiful Places." South Carolina's slogan just about sums up what the Palmetto State is all about. One thing it doesn't mention, however, is how many peaceful, safe places there are to call home

Safest Cities in South Carolina © CreditDonkey

CreditDonkey searched far and wide to pick out those South Carolina cities that have the best reputation for safety overall. We've selected the top 50 cities where you can sleep soundly at night knowing that you, your loved ones, and your property are secure.

Whether you live in South Carolina or you're weighing the pros and cons of a move here, you'll want to read through our comprehensive guide to see which cities were safe enough to earn a spot in our rankings.

Study Methodology

We focused on the FBI's Uniform Crime Report for 2014 to collect crime data for each of South Carolina's cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Specifically, we analyzed the violent and property crime rates per 1,000 inhabitants, as well as the robbery and burglary rates per 1,000 people. In the violent crime category, we looked at the number of murders, rapes, robberies, and aggravated assaults reported for the year. For property crimes, burglaries, larcenies, motor vehicle thefts, and arsons were included in our search. Robbery and burglary got special attention because they tend to occur more frequently and are more likely to be worrisome to residents.

Using these four criteria, we assigned each South Carolina city a CreditDonkey safety score. The top 50 cities in our rankings are the ones that earned the lowest and, therefore, best safety scores overall. We've ranked them here from 1 to 50, starting with the safest cities first.

Safest Cities 2016: Rankings

1. Edgefield

Violent crime per 1,000: 0.8
Robbery per 1,000: 0.4
Property crime per 1,000: 11.5
Burglary per 1,000: 2.5
CreditDonkey safety score: 3.8

With around 4,700 residents, Edgefield may be small but it's got big personality, and that, along with the city's low crime rate, is one of the things locals appreciate most. The roads surrounding Edgefield were once heavily traveled by settlers, and visitors come from miles around to see the historic sights. Fortunately, they're not bringing crime with them, which helped to propel the city to the top of our list.

2. Tega Cay

Violent crime per 1,000: 0.5
Robbery per 1,000: 0.1
Property crime per 1,000: 13.6
Burglary per 1,000: 1.4
CreditDonkey safety score: 3.9

Tega Cay is a rapidly growing, upscale suburban city along the North Carolina-South Carolina border. Since 2010, the population has jumped by more than 18%, with many of the city's new residents working in the nearby Charlotte metro area. Like Edgefield, Tega reported just four violent crimes for 2014, but the number of property crimes was slightly higher, pushing it to the number two spot.

3. Pine Ridge

Violent crime per 1,000: 4.6
Robbery per 1,000: 0.0
Property crime per 1,000: 12.8
Burglary per 1,000: 2.7
CreditDonkey safety score: 5.0

Pine Ridge is one of several cities in our rankings to report zero robberies for 2014, and it had the second lowest number of burglaries, with six total. This small community offers the peace and quiet of rural living, but it's just minutes from the job opportunities, shopping, and dining that the much larger city of Columbia has to offer.

4. Mount Pleasant

Violent crime per 1,000: 1.8
Robbery per 1,000: 0.2
Property crime per 1,000: 17.6
Burglary per 1,000: 1.8
CreditDonkey safety score: 5.4

In Mount Pleasant, the standard dress code consists of flip-flops and a smile, and you'll see plenty of both all year round. Nearly 77,000 people make their home in this Charleston suburb, and it's become one of the Lowcountry's premier destinations to live, work, and play. Mount Pleasant's police force is always on patrol, and a dedicated crime prevention officer routinely provides education programs for seniors, businesses, homeowners, and children.

5. Saluda

Violent crime per 1,000: 3.3
Robbery per 1,000: 0.3
Property crime per 1,000: 16.1
Burglary per 1,000: 2.8
CreditDonkey safety score: 5.6

Saluda takes its name from the Saluda River, which forms one of the town's borders. It's about 52 miles from Columbia and 40 miles from North Augusta, so it's close enough to both if you need to head to the big city for the day. At the same time, it's far enough away to insulate it from the higher crime rates that often go along with living in a more populated area.

6. Burnettown

Violent crime per 1,000: 1.4
Robbery per 1,000: 0.0
Property crime per 1,000: 15.6
Burglary per 1,000: 5.4
CreditDonkey safety score: 5.6

One of the highlights of living in Burnettown is the annual Sassafras Festival. The local police department works hard to ensure that this popular event is fun and safe for everyone involved. Officers are equally dedicated to preventing crime the rest of the year, of course, and as a result, the violent crime count in 2014 came to a relatively low total of four. All of them were aggravated assaults.

7. Lyman

Violent crime per 1,000: 0.3
Robbery per 1,000: 0.3
Property crime per 1,000: 20.5
Burglary per 1,000: 1.5
CreditDonkey safety score: 5.7

Lyman is less than a dozen miles from Spartanburg, and it made it onto our list thanks to its remarkably low crime rate. For all of 2014, there was only one violent crime report, which involved a robbery. Of the 69 property crimes reported, five were burglaries.

8. Hanahan

Violent crime per 1,000: 2.4
Robbery per 1,000: 0.8
Property crime per 1,000: 16.7
Burglary per 1,000: 3.1
CreditDonkey safety score: 5.7

Hanahan's police department is responsible for safeguarding roughly 20,000 residents, and its members take their jobs very seriously. Officers are encouraged to get to know the people they're protecting, and the result is a close-knit community where crime is kept to a minimum.

In my opinion, the main reason we have been successful is because we constantly work to better our relationship with the members of our community in order to strengthen our partnership with them. Building partnerships with the members of our community is critical because we are all stakeholders in our community and we have to work together to keep our city safe.

This is done by stressing to our citizens about being vigilant and reporting suspicious persons/activity immediately to the police department and providing them with education they can use to prevent them from being a victim of crime.

Besides the community meetings, information about crime prevention is sent out over social media and the city’s Facebook page is constantly used as a platform to deliver these messages.

There are several things we do within the police department to promote safety and crime prevention within our city. We believe 100% in the concept of community policing and the patrol division focuses heavily on crime prevention by actively patrolling our residential, business, and industrial areas. While patrolling these areas, our officers are constantly looking for situations that present an opportunity for crime to take place. For example, we actively look for vehicles being left unlocked, vehicles with valuables left in plain view, garage doors being left open, gates unsecured, etc. When things such as these are observed we make every attempt to contact the property owner and if we cannot get in touch with the property owner, we leave a Crime Prevention Notice, it is a yellow door hanger, that specifies the date and time and the issue that was observed; such as a garage door left open or an alarm activation and a key holder was unable to be located. This type of patrol in the neighborhoods also allows our officers to meet the residents of our city and our residents the opportunity to get to know the officers of their police department and this leads to the development of a strong relationship with our citizens.

Besides deterring property crime, the police department works aggressively to reduce our roadway crashes. Each month we analyze where we had the most roadway accidents and we identify these areas as crash zones.

When we start seeing a crime trend, such as cars getting broken into in neighborhoods, we quickly adjust our patrol strategies to ensure extra patrol coverage is being provided to these areas. Besides bringing in extra manpower when needed for uniform patrol, we will often utilize our detectives, School Resource Officers, and member of the Command Staff. Our agency also stays in contact with the surrounding police agencies to stay abreast of issues they are having because more times than not, when we are having issues in an area so is the surrounding agencies. The police department’s resources are limited and it is vital we reach out to other agencies when needed to address problems and keep our city safe.

The City of Hanahan has received a grant for our Charleston Farms neighborhood which is allowing for sidewalks to be installed, more curb appeal, and with this grant, surveillance cameras and two Automated License Plate Reader stations are being installed. The tag readers will further assist us in the investigating and deterring of crime.

The city is about to designate a place in the parking lot that is well lit and has surveillance cameras to allow our citizens a safe location to meet people from the internet who they are purchasing merchandise from.

The city has been working closely with Keep Hanahan Beautiful. This is an organization that works on community beautification projects, such as clean ups, and anti-litter campaigns. It is critical for the city to closely work with this group to ensure our city is kept clean and beautiful. The police department is also working with this group because there is a direct correlation between crime and how well areas are maintained. If an area is not maintained and there is litter, there can be increased crime because it gives the message that the residents in that area do not care. By an area being maintained, this gives the impression that people do care about their community and will report misdoings.
Dennis R. Turner, Chief of Police, Hanahan Police Department

9. Fort Mill

Violent crime per 1,000: 2.6
Robbery per 1,000: 0.6
Property crime per 1,000: 18.4
Burglary per 1,000: 3.3
CreditDonkey safety score: 6.2

The city of Fort Mill is right down the road from Tega Cay, and like its neighbor, its population has grown by double digits over the past few years. Excellent schools are part of the appeal for families, but the presence of established companies like Continental Tire and Domtar Paper attract many job seekers. Affordable housing and safe neighborhoods round out its list of strong points.

There is a strong sense of community in Fort Mill/Tega Cay and people value their property and the property of their neighbors.

Folks are cognizant of what goes on in their surrounding area and neighborhood watch groups are active. The police do an excellent job of being visible and respond in a timely manner to all resident concerns.
Chuck Epps, Superintendent, Fort Mill School District

10. Cowpens

Violent crime per 1,000: 1.8
Robbery per 1,000: 0.0
Property crime per 1,000: 18.8
Burglary per 1,000: 4.9
CreditDonkey safety score: 6.4

Cowpens is an all-American town, where a stroll down the city's Main Street is a callback to simpler times. About 2,200 people live here, and they're not complaining about the city's size. With Spartanburg less than 10 miles away, it's a solid choice for working professionals who don't mind a commute and want to come home to a safe sanctuary once they're off the clock.

11. Mauldin

Violent crime per 1,000: 1.8
Robbery per 1,000: 0.2
Property crime per 1,000: 21.4
Burglary per 1,000: 3.1
CreditDonkey safety score: 6.6

About 25,000 people live in Mauldin, one of the biggest outposts in the Greenville metro area. Despite having a larger population to patrol, the Mauldin Police Department still makes time to connect with residents on a personal level, starting with the city's youngest citizens. The Youth Police Academy is designed for kids aged 11 to 14 while 14- to 21-year-olds can join the Police Explorers program, which involves both academic and technical training.

12. Charleston

Violent crime per 1,000: 2.1
Robbery per 1,000: 0.5
Property crime per 1,000: 22.9
Burglary per 1,000: 2.7
CreditDonkey safety score: 7.0

Charleston consistently ranks as one of the nation's best tourist spots as a haven for history buffs, foodies, or anyone who wants a taste of Southern charm. The overall quality of life that the city's 130,000 or so full-time residents enjoy is unparalleled, and the low crime rate is a big part of that. Whether you're taking a stroll along the Battery or checking out the local flavor at one of Charleston's many restaurants, you can do so in safety.

13. Duncan

Violent crime per 1,000: 0.9
Robbery per 1,000: 0.0
Property crime per 1,000: 25.2
Burglary per 1,000: 2.7
CreditDonkey safety score: 7.2

The city of Duncan rubs elbows with Lyman, and with around 3,300 residents, it's roughly the same size in terms of population. Fewer people generally mean less crime, and in 2014, there were only three violent crimes reported here. There were no robberies included in that number, and residents reported fewer than 10 burglaries.

14. Walhalla

Violent crime per 1,000: 4.0
Robbery per 1,000: 0.2
Property crime per 1,000: 18.8
Burglary per 1,000: 6.1
CreditDonkey safety score: 7.3

Walhalla is situated in South Carolina's Appalachian region, about 16 miles from Clemson. The local police department is visible in the community, and their goal is to keep all the city's residents safe. Crisis situations rarely arise, but when they do, citizens can stay dialed in through the CodeRED alert system.

15. Prosperity

Violent crime per 1,000: 0.8
Robbery per 1,000: 0.0
Property crime per 1,000: 21.9
Burglary per 1,000: 7.6
CreditDonkey safety score: 7.6

Prosperity's motto is "Equal to the Name," and that's a good way to describe the quality of life locals enjoy. With fewer than 1,200 residents, it's the smallest city to be included on our list, and it ties with Lyman for the second-lowest violent crime rate (with one aggravated assault reported in 2014). Of the 26 property crimes reported, there were nine burglaries.

16. Whitmire

Violent crime per 1,000: 2.8
Robbery per 1,000: 0.0
Property crime per 1,000: 22.2
Burglary per 1,000: 5.5
CreditDonkey safety score: 7.6

Dubbed the "Pearl of the Piedmont," the city of Whitmire is an ideal place to get back to nature. The city is surrounded on all sides by the Sumter National Forest, which is great for anyone who loves spending time in the great outdoors. If you feel like venturing out of the woods, Newberry is less than 20 miles away.

17. Fountain Inn

Violent crime per 1,000: 3.6
Robbery per 1,000: 0.4
Property crime per 1,000: 24.7
Burglary per 1,000: 2.7
CreditDonkey safety score: 7.8

The Fountain Inn Police Department makes an effort to connect with residents of all ages to educate them about safety and crime prevention. For example, the Senior Watch program is designed to assist seniors who live alone or may have trouble getting out of the house, while officers reach out to at-risk youth through annual summer camps.

18. Seneca

Violent crime per 1,000: 3.8
Robbery per 1,000: 0.5
Property crime per 1,000: 24.7
Burglary per 1,000: 3.9
CreditDonkey safety score: 8.2

Seneca is part of the upstate region. This city of around 8,200 people sits along the shores of Lake Keowee. The motto around these parts is "City of Smiles, City with Style," and you'll find both in abundance. What you won't find a lot of is crime; in 2014, Seneca's police department dealt with four robbery reports and 32 burglaries.

19. Pacolet

Violent crime per 1,000: 5.2
Robbery per 1,000: 1.6
Property crime per 1,000: 20.9
Burglary per 1,000: 7.0
CreditDonkey safety score: 8.6

Although it may be small, Pacolet packs a punch in terms of livability. The city's motto "Close to Everything, Far from Ordinary" sums up what it means to call Pacolet home. It's close enough to Spartanburg to make it a suitable choice for commuting professionals, and its personality is dynamic enough to attract a sizable number of families and retirees.

20. Port Royal

Violent crime per 1,000: 3.1
Robbery per 1,000: 1.3
Property crime per 1,000: 26.0
Burglary per 1,000: 5.1
CreditDonkey safety score: 8.9

Port Royal is in the heart of the Lowcountry, just north of Parris Island and Hilton Head. The city's economy once rested on its status as a port city, but the focus has since shifted to tourism and small business. Visitors come to explore the local historic sites while residents spend their free time strolling safely along the Sands Beach boardwalk.

21. Inman

Violent crime per 1,000: 2.1
Robbery per 1,000: 0.0
Property crime per 1,000: 29.3
Burglary per 1,000: 5.8
CreditDonkey safety score: 9.3

We head back upstate to the city of Inman, which sits just northwest of Spartanburg. Of the five violent crimes reported here in 2014, there were no murders and no robberies, which is a sign that the Inman Police Department is doing their job effectively. Citizens also aid in the fight against crime through a recently established Community Crime Watch program.

22. Johnston

Violent crime per 1,000: 7.7
Robbery per 1,000: 0.9
Property crime per 1,000: 25.8
Burglary per 1,000: 3.0
CreditDonkey safety score: 9.4

Johnston is the peach capital of the world, and "peachy" is a good way to describe what living here is like. The city, full of small-town charm, is the kind of place where no one stays a stranger for long. That helps to keep the crime rate low and to give Johnston's 2,300 residents comfort that the city's streets are safe.

23. Isle of Palms

Violent crime per 1,000: 0.7
Robbery per 1,000: 0.0
Property crime per 1,000: 31.8
Burglary per 1,000: 6.5
CreditDonkey safety score: 9.8

Isle of Palms is one of two oceanfront communities that border the Mount Pleasant area. Thousands of people pour in each year to soak up the sun and check out the bars and restaurants along the water, but they don't disturb the peace for the city's full-time residents. Isle of Palms experienced three violent crimes in 2014, with no murders or robberies reported.

Did you know:

Two actions contribute to island safety:

citizen involvement in reporting suspicious behavior, and
diligent and strategic efforts by the Isle of Palms Police Department.

The island geography of only having two ways on and off the island also aid in mechanisms of control.

In this beach season May 15-September 15, the City is launching its first season of Managed Beach Parking. This program better manages where beach goers can and cannot park to access the beach and improves enforcement of these areas by expanding the team of Beach Services Officers.

Also, the City and the neighboring municipalities and the County are partnering to expand the SCDOT 511 camera system to include “live” traffic cams on all the beach routes in this area. One of these cameras should go “live” for the Isle of Palms for the 2016 season. Others will follow as they are installed. This should better enable those traversing routes going to and from the beach to make decisions about what time to travel or to answer questions regarding immobilized traffic.

In addition, Charleston County Emergency Medical Services will have a Quick Response Medical vehicle and personnel stationed on the island which will eliminate these vehicles and personnel having to negotiate the heavy beach traffic in order to assist the Isle of Palms Fire Department personnel in responding to medical emergencies.
Linda Tucker, City Administrator, City of Isle of Palms

24. Springdale

Violent crime per 1,000: 4.0
Robbery per 1,000: 0.7
Property crime per 1,000: 30.8
Burglary per 1,000: 5.9
CreditDonkey safety score: 10.3

Good schools and quaint neighborhoods make Springdale an excellent choice for raising a family. You're just minutes from the shopping and restaurants of West Columbia, and it's a relatively brief commute to downtown Columbia. Springdale's police department features several specialized divisions to help combat crime, including a K-9 unit and a community relations officer.

25. Williston

Violent crime per 1,000: 7.2
Robbery per 1,000: 0.3
Property crime per 1,000: 27.4
Burglary per 1,000: 6.8
CreditDonkey safety score: 10.4

Williston is part of the Midlands region, about 35 miles east of North Augusta and 22 miles southeast of Aiken. Just over 3,000 people hang their hat here and many of them work at the nearby Savannah River Test Site. At the end of the day, they head home to a city where violent and property crime rarely make headlines.

26. Bluffton

Violent crime per 1,000: 2.4
Robbery per 1,000: 0.7
Property crime per 1,000: 33.5
Burglary per 1,000: 5.7
CreditDonkey safety score: 10.6

Over the last few years, folks have increasingly flocked to the coastal village of Bluffton, which lies along the Harbor River near Hilton Head. The city's scenic views, antebellum homes, and centuries-old oak trees are surrounded by an atmosphere of safety and security. The Bluffton Police Department patrols on land and water to make sure it stays that way.

27. Summerville

Violent crime per 1,000: 3.0
Robbery per 1,000: 0.5
Property crime per 1,000: 34.6
Burglary per 1,000: 4.3
CreditDonkey safety score: 10.6

As more people have moved into the Charleston area, many of them have been drawn to the city of Summerville. Dubbed "Flowertown," it's a bustling community of nearly 47,000 residents, many of whom are raising young children or living their golden years to the fullest. Summerville is an outstanding blend of southern tradition and modern thinking, which is accentuated by its low crime rate.

28. Folly Beach

Violent crime per 1,000: 4.4
Robbery per 1,000: 0.4
Property crime per 1,000: 31.9
Burglary per 1,000: 5.9
CreditDonkey safety score: 10.6

Folly Beach is a hotspot for tourists who come from all over the country to while away the summer days along the Atlantic shore. The beach is located along historic Folly Island, and it's one of the Charleston area's most beautifully diverse areas. The city boasts around 2,700 permanent residents, all of whom enjoy a low crime rate along with cool ocean breezes.

29. Clemson

Violent crime per 1,000: 1.8
Robbery per 1,000: 0.2
Property crime per 1,000: 34.6
Burglary per 1,000: 6.3
CreditDonkey safety score: 10.7

Clemson is first and foremost a college town, but there's much more to the city than just Tigers football. The South Carolina Botanical Garden offers a quiet place to pass the hours, and the Blue Ridge Mountains are only 30 miles away. Between the city of Clemson's police department and the university's law enforcement unit, there's very little opportunity for crime to get out of hand.

30. Chapin

Violent crime per 1,000: 0.0
Robbery per 1,000: 0.0
Property crime per 1,000: 38.5
Burglary per 1,000: 4.6
CreditDonkey safety score: 10.8

Lake Murray is one of the largest manmade reservoirs in the country. With the affluent community of Chapin sitting just to its north, this city of around 1,500 people is remarkable for being the only place in our list that didn't report a single violent crime for all of 2014. There were 59 property crimes, of which seven involved a burglary.

31. North Augusta

Violent crime per 1,000: 1.3
Robbery per 1,000: 0.7
Property crime per 1,000: 37.1
Burglary per 1,000: 4.1
CreditDonkey safety score: 10.8

North Augusta is a straight shot across the Savannah River from Augusta, Ga., and while it was originally founded as a resort town, it's evolved into a flourishing suburban city. The local neighborhoods are a mix of historic homes and new construction, and there's something here for just about everyone. If you're wondering which areas are the safest, you can see where crime is occurring using the police department's crime mapping tool.

32. McCormick

Violent crime per 1,000: 3.3
Robbery per 1,000: 0.4
Property crime per 1,000: 29.7
Burglary per 1,000: 11.0
CreditDonkey safety score: 11.1

Perhaps best known as the site of a gold discovery in 1850, McCormick evokes an old-fashioned feel while still offering modern amenities. The city has a small but dedicated police department that takes the task of maintaining law and order very seriously. That's evident in the crime rate, which included no rapes or murders and just one robbery in 2014.

33. Rock Hill

Violent crime per 1,000: 5.1
Robbery per 1,000: 0.9
Property crime per 1,000: 34.0
Burglary per 1,000: 5.3
CreditDonkey safety score: 11.3

Rock Hill is the largest city in York County and the third largest city in our rankings, with close to 70,000 residents. It's about 27 miles from Charlotte, so it's not uncommon for professionals to commute back and forth between the two cities. With such a large population, the Rock Hill Police Department takes extra care to ensure that its residents' well-being isn't compromised by crime.

34. Williamston

Violent crime per 1,000: 4.4
Robbery per 1,000: 0.5
Property crime per 1,000: 36.9
Burglary per 1,000: 4.9
CreditDonkey safety score: 11.7

Williamston is about halfway between Greenville and Anderson, and it moves at a slower pace than its larger neighbors. That's not necessarily a bad thing, however, because it means that crime isn't a constant concern for residents. 2014 saw 18 violent crimes and 150 property crimes reported, including two robberies and 20 burglaries.

35. Woodruff

Violent crime per 1,000: 5.6
Robbery per 1,000: 1.2
Property crime per 1,000: 32.9
Burglary per 1,000: 8.0
CreditDonkey safety score: 11.9

One of the ways Woodruff's police department helps citizens keep tabs on what's happening in their community is by breaking down each month's crime report statistics on their website. They can see at glance what kind of calls officers are responding to and which offenses are the most frequent. Officially, 23 violent crime reports and 136 property crime reports were filed for 2014.

36. Simpsonville

Violent crime per 1,000: 2.9
Robbery per 1,000: 0.3
Property crime per 1,000: 41.4
Burglary per 1,000: 4.8
CreditDonkey safety score: 12.4

Back in 2010, Simpsonville was voted one of the nation's 10 best towns for families by Family Circle, and six years later it's still living up to that title. A strong local economy, highly rated schools, and home prices that don't break the bank all help to enhance its image. A low crime rate tops off its long list of positives.

37. Bamberg

Violent crime per 1,000: 6.9
Robbery per 1,000: 0.9
Property crime per 1,000: 34.4
Burglary per 1,000: 7.7
CreditDonkey safety score: 12.5

Bamberg is another family-friendly city that offers some of the best public education in the state along with numerous recreational opportunities. As the seat of Bamberg County, it's an important economic hub and it also boasts an excellent healthcare system, which is a plus for retirees. In 2014, Bamberg saw no rape or murder reports, with a trio of robberies making the books.

38. Westminster

Violent crime per 1,000: 4.1
Robbery per 1,000: 0.4
Property crime per 1,000: 39.7
Burglary per 1,000: 6.1
CreditDonkey safety score: 12.6

Each year, Westminster hosts the South Carolina Apple Festival, and this small town of around 2,500 people sees its population expand temporarily by several thousand visitors. In the spring, the town celebrates Mayberry Days, a tribute to The Andy Griffith Show. At these and the town's other events, the Westminster Police Department is working behind the scenes to keep attendees safe.

39. Central

Violent crime per 1,000: 1.9
Robbery per 1,000: 0.2
Property crime per 1,000: 44.6
Burglary per 1,000: 4.1
CreditDonkey safety score: 12.7

The home of Southern Wesleyan University, Central is another college town to make our list, and it's not too far from Clemson. Here, you'll find a group of caring individuals who take looking out for one another to heart. That close-knit approach may contribute in part to the relative lack of crime Central experienced in 2014.

40. Ridgeland

Violent crime per 1,000: 1.7
Robbery per 1,000: 0.5
Property crime per 1,000: 40.9
Burglary per 1,000: 8.2
CreditDonkey safety score: 12.8

Ridgeland is called the high point of the Lowcountry, and it was originally founded as a railroad stop at the highest point between Charleston and Savannah. The city has grown slowly over the years, but it's developed a strong economy and the population continues to climb. What isn't increasing is the crime rate; for 2014, there were a mere seven violent crimes reported.

41. Chesterfield

Violent crime per 1,000: 8.9
Robbery per 1,000: 1.4
Property crime per 1,000: 35.7
Burglary per 1,000: 5.5
CreditDonkey safety score: 12.9

One of Chesterfield's most famous visitors was General William T. Sherman, whose troops wreaked havoc in the city way back in 1865. Today, things are a bit more low-key, and that's just the way the locals like it. Altogether, Chesterfield reported 13 violent crimes and 52 property crimes in 2014, with two robberies and eight burglaries included in the mix.

42. McColl

Violent crime per 1,000: 6.3
Robbery per 1,000: 1.0
Property crime per 1,000: 32.7
Burglary per 1,000: 11.5
CreditDonkey safety score: 12.9

McColl, which hugs the North Carolina-South Carolina border, is about 50 miles from both Florence and Fayetteville. Agriculture and textiles were once the center of the city's economy, but these days, it's all about small business. Businesses and residences alike are kept safe through the efforts of the McColl Police Department.

43. St. Matthews

Violent crime per 1,000: 8.4
Robbery per 1,000: 1.5
Property crime per 1,000: 33.2
Burglary per 1,000: 8.9
CreditDonkey safety score: 13.0

St. Matthews is centrally located in the Midlands region and it's not far from several larger cities, including Orangeburg and Columbia. Many of the town's residents belong to the 65 and up crowd, but younger families are also eager to carve out a life here. It's an idyllic, safe retreat for those who have a preference for small-town living.

44. Moncks Corner

Violent crime per 1,000: 6.0
Robbery per 1,000: 1.0
Property crime per 1,000: 43.9
Burglary per 1,000: 3.5
CreditDonkey safety score: 13.6

Moncks Corner is close to two of South Carolina's largest lakes, Lake Moultrie and Lake Marion. Spending time on the water is a frequent pastime for residents, along with horseback riding, hiking, and checking out the area's historic sites. You can see the sights or just chill out at home without fear of your day getting dampened by crime.

45. Forest Acres

Violent crime per 1,000: 7.2
Robbery per 1,000: 2.0
Property crime per 1,000: 39.1
Burglary per 1,000: 6.5
CreditDonkey safety score: 13.7

Called "the city within a city," Forest Acres is a preferred suburb of Columbia, particularly among families. The tree-lined streets and cozy neighborhoods give the impression of being in a different world but in reality, it's a short three miles to the downtown area. The low crime rate is a testament to how adept the Forest Acres Police Department is at keeping residents safe.

46. Gaston

Violent crime per 1,000: 0.6
Robbery per 1,000: 0.0
Property crime per 1,000: 40.0
Burglary per 1,000: 15.8
CreditDonkey safety score: 14.1

The town of Gaston has one of the state's smallest police forces, but it doesn't detract from how safe the city is. The entire violent crime rate for 2014 consisted of a single aggravated assault, and there were 66 property crimes reported. In the burglary department, officers dealt with 26 reported break-ins.

47. Gaffney

Violent crime per 1,000: 6.7
Robbery per 1,000: 1.5
Property crime per 1,000: 39.3
Burglary per 1,000: 9.1
CreditDonkey safety score: 14.2

Gaffney is an exceptional place to spend a day, a weekend, or a lifetime. And the city's more than 12,000 residents are welcoming to new faces. The police department is committed to providing courteous service to both visitors and locals, who are encouraged to take part in the city's various crime prevention initiatives.

48. Belton

Violent crime per 1,000: 2.8
Robbery per 1,000: 0.9
Property crime per 1,000: 44.2
Burglary per 1,000: 9.6
CreditDonkey safety score: 14.4

Tennis and the arts are the lynchpins of Belton's culture, and there's always something to see and do, whether you're the sporty type or a fan of fine art. Safety is another important facet of the city's personality; its low crime rate earned it a much deserved mention on our list.

49. Elgin

Violent crime per 1,000: 9.2
Robbery per 1,000: 6.4
Property crime per 1,000: 36.2
Burglary per 1,000: 7.1
CreditDonkey safety score: 14.7

Growth is on the agenda in Elgin. This small town is quickly picking up steam in the popularity department. A low cost of living and a jump in the number of jobs are just some of the forces that are causing people to relocate to the area. Fortunately, crime hasn't followed them. Elgin was able to boast a low 13 violent crimes for 2014.

50. York

Violent crime per 1,000: 9.5
Robbery per 1,000: 2.2
Property crime per 1,000: 45.1
Burglary per 1,000: 4.9
CreditDonkey safety score: 15.4

York's landscape is dotted with historic sites, and the downtown area is one of the largest historic districts in the state. While the city's past is widely celebrated, its future is what really matters to residents. Fortunately, it looks exceptionally bright. Part of York's attraction is the feeling of safety its citizens experience when they're working, running errands or hanging around the house.

Conclusion

The 50 cities that made it into our rankings surpass South Carolina's other cities where safety is concerned. If your hometown is included on our list, you should take pride in knowing that you live in a city where crime isn't lurking around every corner. If there's a city you were hoping to see here but didn't, that doesn't mean it's not safe. Not every city reports their crime data to the FBI, so that's one reason it may be missing.

The Top 50 Safest Cities in South Carolina

Rank	City	Population	Total # of Violent Crimes¹	Total # of Property Crimes²	Violent Crime Per 1,000	Robbery Per 1,000	Property Crime Per 1,000	Burglary Per 1,000
1	Edgefield	4,707	4	54	0.8	0.4	11.5	2.5
2	Tega Cay	8,625	4	117	0.5	0.1	13.6	1.4
3	Pine Ridge	2,184	10	28	4.6	0.0	12.8	2.7
4	Mount Pleasant	76,702	139	1351	1.8	0.2	17.6	1.8
5	Saluda	3,609	12	58	3.3	0.3	16.1	2.8
6	Burnettown	2,761	4	43	1.4	0.0	15.6	5.4
7	Lyman	3,358	1	69	0.3	0.3	20.5	1.5
8	Hanahan	19,999	48	334	2.4	0.8	16.7	3.1
9	Fort Mill	12,659	33	233	2.6	0.6	18.4	3.3
10	Cowpens	2,230	4	42	1.8	0.0	18.8	4.9
11	Mauldin	24,869	45	532	1.8	0.2	21.4	3.1
12	Charleston	129,867	270	2971	2.1	0.5	22.9	2.7
13	Duncan	3,290	3	83	0.9	0.0	25.2	2.7
14	Walhalla	4,258	17	80	4.0	0.2	18.8	6.1
15	Prosperity	1,185	1	26	0.8	0.0	21.9	7.6
16	Whitmire	1,443	4	32	2.8	0.0	22.2	5.5
17	Fountain Inn	8,073	29	199	3.6	0.4	24.7	2.7
18	Seneca	8,222	31	203	3.8	0.5	24.7	3.9
19	Pacolet	2,297	12	48	5.2	1.3	20.9	7.0
20	Port Royal	11,749	36	306	3.1	1.3	26.0	5.1
21	Inman	2,423	5	71	2.1	0.0	29.3	5.8
22	Johnston	2,324	18	60	7.7	0.9	25.8	3.0
23	Isle of Palms	4,333	3	138	0.7	0.0	31.8	6.5
24	Springdale	2,730	11	84	4.0	0.7	30.8	5.9
25	Williston	3,066	22	84	7.2	0.3	27.4	6.8
26	Bluffton	13,755	33	461	2.4	0.7	33.5	5.7
27	Summerville	46,801	139	1619	3.0	0.5	34.6	4.3
28	Folly Beach	2,730	12	87	4.4	0.4	31.9	5.9
29	Clemson	14,357	26	497	1.8	0.2	34.6	6.3
30	Chapin	1,533	0	59	0.0	0.0	38.5	4.6
31	North Augusta	22,440	29	833	1.3	0.7	37.1	4.1
32	McCormick	2,729	9	81	3.3	0.4	29.7	11.0
33	Rock Hill	69,754	357	2371	5.1	0.9	34.0	5.3
34	Williamston	4,062	18	150	4.4	0.5	36.9	4.9
35	Woodruff	4,136	23	136	5.6	1.2	32.9	8.0
36	Simpsonville	19,918	58	825	2.9	0.3	41.4	4.8
37	Bamberg	3,489	24	120	6.9	0.9	34.4	7.7
38	Westminster	2,469	10	98	4.1	0.4	39.7	6.1
39	Central	5,185	10	231	1.9	0.2	44.6	4.1
40	Ridgeland	4,128	7	169	1.7	0.5	40.9	8.2
41	Chesterfield	1,458	13	52	8.9	1.4	35.7	5.5
42	McColl	2,079	13	68	6.3	1.0	32.7	11.5
43	St. Matthews	2,019	17	67	8.4	1.5	33.2	8.9
44	Moncks Corner	9,471	57	416	6.0	1.0	43.9	3.5
45	Forest Acres	10,598	76	414	7.2	2.0	39.1	6.5
46	Gaston	1,648	1	66	0.6	0.0	40.0	15.8
47	Gaffney	12,682	85	499	6.7	1.5	39.3	9.1
48	Belton	4,276	12	189	2.8	0.9	44.2	9.6
49	Elgin	1,407	13	51	9.2	6.4	36.2	7.1
50	York	8,001	76	361	9.5	2.2	45.1	4.9

¹Violent crime includes murder, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault.
²Property crime includes burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft, and arson.

Rebecca Lake is a journalist at CreditDonkey, a home security comparison and reviews website. Write to Rebecca Lake at rebecca@creditdonkey.com. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook for our latest posts.

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