South Carolina experienced a significant decline in crime across nearly all major categories in 2024, according to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division’s annual crime statistics report.
Violent Crime Declines
Violent crime statewide dropped 8.4% from 2023 to 2024, marking the fourth consecutive year of decreases. The murder rate fell by 15.8%, with total murders decreasing over 14%. Aggravated assaults declined 8.4%, contributing to nearly a 10% reduction over the past two years. Robbery rates continued an eight-year drop, falling 11.7% and hitting a 30-year low. Sexual battery also decreased 2.9%, reaching its lowest rate in three decades.
Charleston County Crime Trends
Charleston County reflected statewide trends, with drug law violations down 12.5%—marijuana being the most commonly involved drug—and weapon law violations dropping 30.4% after a decade of increase. Drunkenness remained a leading cause of arrests.
Officer and Property Crime Updates
Assaults against law enforcement officers declined 1.4%, with no officers killed in the line of duty in 2024 for the first time in several years. Property crimes fell 11.8%—including a 13.1% drop in breaking and entering, 17% decline in motor vehicle theft, and 10.7% reduction in larceny. Arson cases decreased 15.8%, showing marked improvement over previous years.
Officials attribute the progress to effective crime reduction efforts and express optimism that the downward trend will continue.
