Folly Beach, Charleston, Myrtle Beach, Conway, Savannah River, Hilton Head Island, Charleston, Beaufort, and Florence are some of the famous locations of the state of South Carolina famous for its beaches, historic places, and hospitality. Crime rates can therefore differ significantly with the state’s population which is over 5 million people. In case safety is one of your primary concerns when migrating, some cities in South Carolina are almost immune to any form of criminal activity.

The list of the safest big cities in South Carolina.

1. Tega Cay

The best city and the safest big city in the state is the suburb of Charlotte known as Tega Cay. This climatically appealing lakeside town possesses the smallest overall crime rate, including property crimes and violent criminality, among greater South Carolina cities. Tega Cay does well in personal safety standards; it has only 3 violent crimes for every 10000 residents per year, well-lit neighborhoods, and alert police response as well as community policing.

2. Mount Pleasant

Just adjacent to the lively Charleston, Mount Pleasant is the second largest large city in South Carolina that can be considered very safe. Bearing this in mind, beautiful beach neighborhoods with little poverty and responsive neighborhood watches help minimize the levels of property crimes. Violent crimes stand at an even lower of 39 in every ten thousand individuals within a year.

3. Fort Mill

As a part of the Population Boom Charlotte Metropolitan Statistical Area, Fort Mill is one of the most populous cities in South Carolina with the third lowest crime rate. That has good schools, job openings, low-cost houses, and a myriad of community activities and programs that attract most families. Although there are occasional outbursts around the local bar, violent crime is forty percent less than average.

Other Notable Safe Cities in South Carolina

Looking beyond the major metro areas, here are seven other small cities and towns that stand out for safety in South Carolina:

4. Hanahan

Lying hugging the coastline north of Charleston and deemed as the unnoticeable Hanahan, holds the fourth lowest crime rate in the whole place. Violent offenses are very few with only two cases in a year out of 10,000 residents due to active policing by the community and neighborhood watches. And the rates of property crime which are significantly lower than South Carolina’s average.

5. Simpsonville

Located in suburban Greenville County, Simpsonville enjoys a relatively low unemployment, poverty, and crime index compared to the South Carolina state mean index. Simpsonville has adopted appropriate measures that include taking the necessary public safety measures, and has only 10 violent crimes for every 10,000 people; meaning residents in Simpsonville can live securely close to Greenville opportunities.

6. Lexington

Even though it is one of the growing cities with families, this city has the sixth-highest rating of safety in the whole of Kentucky. Community policing policies reduce violent and property offenses implying that the community plays a role in policing. New infrastructure is created to ensure that there is an accommodation for the increased population without augmenting the resource base of the towns.

7. James Island

Less than a mile from the city proper of Charleston, James Island is one of the safest places to live in; in fact, it ranks seventh from the bottom when it comes to crime rate in South Carolina. Neighborhoods that have close-knit residential areas, where community members ensure that they monitor close neighbors effectively reduce property crimes, especially in this region. Violent activity is also kept low since there are only 4 violent incidences in every ten thousand residents on average.

8. Taylors

Another suburb of Greenville known as Taylors has been ranked as the eighth safest city in the entire state of South Carolina. The exclusion of industrial buildings and other busy commercial establishments also ensures that the property crime rates in most residential spaces owned by Taylors remain at 25 percent below the average rate. And community policing teams help create awareness of public safety leading to low cases of violence.

9. Mauldin

Mauldin, which is also located in the booming Greenville area of the state, ranks 9th on our safety list. Despite being developmental at a fast pace, civic planning helps in tackling challenges that are associated with rapid growth. Thus, crime rates are 50% or more lower compared to statewide levels.

10. Goose Creek

The final three places on the list are the county’s ten largest cities, and Goose Creek, located just north of Charleston, rounds out the top ten. Granted, there has been a trend of increased assault incidences around some bars in its newly developed downtown but overall violent crime is still relatively low because of efficient neighborhood controls and police vigilance. Low poverty and unemployment rates are also among the determinants of low crime rates in Goose Creek.

Crucial Things to Note on South Carolina’s Safest Cities

The reduced incidences of crime are therefore due to; enhanced police presence, community cohesion and support, efficient infrastructure development for growth, and lack of focal points that, when provided with a conducive environment, breed criminals such as through high unemployment. These safest cities perform well in these parameters.

If you are applying for cities that are safer and have some SC hues near the budding metropolitan areas, then you can think of Tega Cay or Mount Pleasant. Or choose even smaller enclaves like Taylors and James Island near active zones. Make sure the neighborhood you choose has a watch or something similar in place too.