Is North Charleston, SC Safe? 2026 Crime Rates & Safety Report
Key facts
- 01
North Charleston, South Carolina reported 3,081.05 larceny-theft offenses per 100,000 residents in 2025, 2.78 times the national reference of 1,106.97 per 100,000 and 1,974.08 per 100,000 above that reference, with 3,619 annual reported offenses (FBI CDE 2025 profile).
- 02
North Charleston, South Carolina reported 114.08 robbery offenses per 100,000 residents in 2025, 2.36 times the national reference of 48.24 per 100,000 and 65.84 per 100,000 above that reference, with 134 annual reported offenses (FBI CDE 2025 profile).
- 03
North Charleston, South Carolina reported 541.46 aggravated assault offenses per 100,000 residents in 2025, 2.36 times the national reference of 229.56 per 100,000 and 311.90 per 100,000 above that reference, with 636 annual reported offenses (FBI CDE 2025 profile).
- 04
North Charleston, South Carolina reported 355.01 motor vehicle theft offenses per 100,000 residents in 2025, 1.84 times the national reference of 193.00 per 100,000 and 162.01 per 100,000 above that reference, with 417 annual reported offenses (FBI CDE 2025 profile).
- 05
North Charleston, South Carolina reported 337.99 burglary offenses per 100,000 residents in 2025, 1.80 times the national reference of 188.15 per 100,000 and 149.84 per 100,000 above that reference, with 397 annual reported offenses (FBI CDE 2025 profile).
Quick answer
In the Safety Atlas 2026 public safety index, North Charleston, SC has an adjusted safety score of 17.35 out of 100. It ranks #3 in this comparison set out of the 3 jurisdictions in the current scored comparison set in South Carolina. Its overall crime trajectory is currently classified as stable.
Jump to Section
2026 edition, FBI source year 2025.
Every number on this page ships in the South Carolina workbook.
Key Public Safety Indicators
Reported rates per 100,000 residents; national references shown alongside.
| Offense Class | Annual Count | Rate per 100K | National Avg | vs National |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robbery | 134 | 114.08 | 48.24 |
2.36× national |
| Aggravated Assault | 636 | 541.46 | 229.56 |
2.36× national |
| Burglary | 397 | 337.99 | 188.15 |
1.8× national |
| Larceny-theft | 3619 | 3081.05 | 1106.97 |
2.78× national |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 417 | 355.01 | 193.0 |
1.84× national |
Comparing North Charleston to somewhere else? Take the file with you.
What drives North Charleston's safety score?
North Charleston ranks in the bottom quarter of the 3 jurisdictions in the current scored comparison set in South Carolina, ahead of approximately 0% of that scored set. The profile uses a reporting population of 117,460 and source-year data through 2025; it is a citywide agency-level comparison, not a neighborhood forecast.
The strongest of the three score components is Personal Safety at 21.84, while Community Order is lowest at 1.1. The 20.74-point spread shows why the composite should be read by component instead of as a single absolute claim about safety.
Among the five public offense indicators, Larceny-theft is highest relative to its national reference at 3081.05 per 100,000 (2.78× the national rate). Burglary is lowest on the same relative basis at 337.99 per 100,000 (1.8× national).
Coverage check: 18 of 18 tracked offense classes have reportable values in this profile. Missing values are not converted to zero.
Public indicator mix
North Charleston, South Carolina recorded 3,619 larceny-theft offenses in 2025, 69.6% of the 5,203 reports across its five public indicators, compared with 134 robbery reports (2.6%); this share covers only those five indicators, excluding other offense classes.
North Charleston, South Carolina recorded 636 aggravated assault offenses in 2025, 12.2% of the 5,203 reports across its five public indicators, compared with 134 robbery reports (2.6%); this share covers only those five indicators, excluding other offense classes.
North Charleston, South Carolina recorded 417 motor vehicle theft offenses in 2025, 8.0% of the 5,203 reports across its five public indicators, compared with 134 robbery reports (2.6%); this share covers only those five indicators, excluding other offense classes.
North Charleston, South Carolina uses a reporting population of 117,460 residents and has values for 18 of the 18 tracked offense classes (100.0%) in its 2025 profile; coverage describes available classes rather than the share of residents reporting crime.
North Charleston, South Carolina has an adjusted score of 17.35 points out of 100 versus 40.82 in Charleston, South Carolina, a difference of 23.47 points below that displayed state peer in the 2025 source-year profile; North Charleston ranks 3 of 3 scored jurisdictions in the published state comparison set.
North Charleston, South Carolina has an adjusted score of 17.35 points out of 100 versus 23.86 in Columbia, South Carolina, a difference of 6.51 points below that displayed state peer in the 2025 source-year profile; North Charleston ranks 3 of 3 scored jurisdictions in the published state comparison set.
Detailed Crime Class Breakdown
Additional tracked offense classes
- Homicide
- Rape
- Kidnapping/Abduction
- Human Trafficking
- Arson
- Theft From Building
- Theft From Motor Vehicle
- Simple Assault
- Intimidation
- Stolen Property Offenses
- Vandalism
- Weapon Law Violations
- Drug/Narcotic Violations
Frequently Asked Questions
Is North Charleston safe compared to other places in South Carolina?
North Charleston is classified as having low relative safety in the 2026 Safety Atlas Index. It has an adjusted safety score of 17.35 out of 100 and ranks #3 in this comparison set out of the 3 jurisdictions in the current scored comparison set in South Carolina.
What is the crime rate in North Charleston?
Public offense rates are listed above.
What is North Charleston's safety rating?
North Charleston's safety rating in the 2026 Safety Atlas Index is 17.35 out of 100, which ranks #3 in this comparison set out of the 3 jurisdictions in the current scored comparison set in South Carolina. Its overall crime trajectory is currently classified as stable, using source-year data through 2025.
What is the safest neighborhood in North Charleston?
This profile covers the reporting jurisdiction; consult local sources for neighborhood detail.
Why are some crime statistics locked for North Charleston?
Full offense series: state workbook.
Reading notes
South Carolina safety directory
Safety Atlas methodology · 2026 coverage report
Cite This Public Safety Profile
Citation formats:
Primary Source Data Integrity
- Crime Counts: FBI National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) database.
- Demographics: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimate boundaries.
- Methodology: Adjusted per-capita normalization with small-sample relief controls. View our complete Methodology Documentation.