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.
