Are you thinking about moving to Greenville, SC? You’re probably wondering, is Greenville SC safe? Considering the Greenville SC crime rate before relocating is always smart. Situated near the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Greenville is a jewel in the heart of South Carolina's Upcountry. About halfway between Charlotte, North Carolina, and Atlanta, Georgia, Greenville is known for its friendly residents, Southern charm, thriving downtown area, and one-of-a-kind shops and boutiques, as well as its art galleries and museums.
Top attractions in Greenville include Falls Park, the Greenville Zoo, The Children’s Museum of the Upstate, and the Peace Center Concert Hall. Greenville maintains 37 parks that span over 400 acres, with many opportunities for outdoor recreation and activities.
The city hosts lots of events and festivals throughout the year. Some of the most popular are Artisphere, Fall for Greenville, Southern Roots, and the Greenville Jazz Fest. Greenville offers a thriving job market, an amazing public school system, and a low unemployment rate; it's one of the best cities to move to!
You might be asking yourself whether or not Greenville County, with all it has to offer, is a safe place to live. Greenville County has four other cities ranked among the top 20 safest cities in South Carolina, and Greenville itself has a downtown area that’s considered safe to walk around.
Greenville residents report feeling safe in this vibrant city. Compared to most similarly-sized larger cities, the Greenville SC crime rate is lower. The total crime rate in Greenville SC has decreased by 1.4% over the past year, making it an improvement, and you’ll find some very safe neighborhoods to live in.
If you're wondering about the Greenville SC crime rate before relocating, this guide will provide you with everything you need to know.
The Greenville SC crime rates are calculated by the FBI from data collected from over 1800 local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies and reported in its annual Nationwide Uniform Crime Report (UCR). Crime rates are calculated based on the number of crimes per 100,000 population. The FBI gathers information on crimes such as murder, manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny, motor vehicle theft, and arson. These are divided into violent crime rate (murders, rapes, robberies, and aggravated assaults) and property crime rate (burglaries, thefts, auto thefts, and larcenies). Over the past decade, the Greenville crime rate has gone down.
Although comparing the Greenville SC crime rate and statistics to determine whether one town is safer than another seems sound, the FBI discourages doing this and instead recommends a thorough analysis of the crime data. Below is a list of some important factors that the crime statistics don’t take into consideration when comparing how safe one city is compared to another:
Here are the crime rate statistics that go into calculating the Greenville SC crime rate, according to the data released by the FBI for 2023:
The City of Greenville provides a free Community Crime Map, in conjunction with Nexis Lexis, which is updated every 24 hours using Greenville Police Department data. This website allows citizens to easily search for information on different crime types and crimes within a particular radius of any location in the city. The data can also be filtered by date range, such as 3 days, 1 week, 2 weeks, etc.
A total of 542 violent crimes were reported in Greenville per 100,000 people in 2023. The state average was slightly lower at 531 crimes per 100,000. However, the murder rate in Greenville was 5.5 per 100,000 people, about half the state murder rate of 10.5 per 100,000. The national murder rate average is 6.3 per 100,000 people.
The number of violent crimes in Greenville by type in 2023 was:
The number of violent crimes in Greenville per 100,000 people (compared to the national average) in 2023 was:
You have a 1 in 185 chance of being the victim of a violent crime in Greenville.
The total number of property crimes reported in Greenville in 2023 was 2696. The Greenville property crime rate (number of reported crimes per 100,000 people) compared to the South Carolina state and the U.S. in 2023 was:
Total property crime
Burglary
Theft
Vehicle theft
Although the Greenville SC crime rate is higher than the national average, there are many safe places in Greenville to live. Most crime is centralized in certain areas that should be avoided. How safe is Greenville SC? That will depend on where you live.
Is Greenville SC a safe place to live? When searching for your new home in Greenville, safety is most likely high on your priority list. The Greenville SC crime rate can vary a lot depending on where you’re located in the city. Feeling safe within your new neighborhood is important, whether you’re looking for a close-knit community, great schools, historic charm, or convenience to shopping, dining, and downtown. The good news is that Greenville is known for its warm, welcoming atmosphere and quiet locations. Here are some of the safest neighborhoods in Greenville:
Located just north of downtown Greenville, North Main is a much sought-after neighborhood that boasts a low Greenville SC crime rate, highly regarded schools, and an active neighborhood association. The community is full of historic charm, with historic and modern homes to choose from. The tree-lined streets are peaceful, and the neighborhood is close to all the downtown amenities. Falls Park on the Reedy is nearby for outdoor activities.
The neighborhood of Augusta Road offers a blend of safety, convenience, and family-friendly charm. Homes come in a variety of different architectural styles, from small bungalows to grand estates. There’s something for a wide range of preferences and budgets in Augusta Road. For families, the school district is excellent, and some of Greenville's highest-rated private schools are close by.
The local business district features boutique shops, local restaurants, and more. Community events, neighborhood yard sales, and other community activities add to Augusta Road’s reputation as a safe, family-friendly neighborhood. It’s one of the best neighborhoods with a low Greenville SC crime rate.
Gower Estates offers tranquility and lots of space. The spacious lots are well-maintained, and the winding streets provide a sense of peacefulness. Gower Estates features mid-century modern and traditional Southern homes and a well-organized neighborhood association that coordinates closely with local law enforcement. The neighborhood has easy access to several parks and green spaces, including the popular Gower Park.
Though the crime rate Greenville SC has can look high, keep these tips in mind to stay safe:
The Greenville Police Department has 209 sworn officers. Their mission is to collaborate with the community to prevent crime, promote safety, and enhance the quality of life, as well as to be the most effective community-focused police agency in America. Their core values are integrity, creativity, conscientiousness, fairness, courage, collaboration, excellence, and compassion. They work hard to keep the Greenville SC crime rate low.
Facts about the Greenville Police Department:
The Greenville Police Department provides high-quality law enforcement to those who live, work, and travel through the City of Greenville.
Although Greenville’s crime rate is higher than the national average, there are many safe neighborhoods in the city. Greenville also has a lower crime rate than many metro areas in the US of similar size.
Yes, downtown Greenville is known as a safe, walkable area. As with any area, though, you should always take precautions after dark.
The overall Greenville SC crime rate is 82% higher than the national average. The crime rate in Greenville has recently seen a 16% decline, and residents have high rates of satisfaction living in Greenville.
Are you moving to a new city? Greenville is a beautiful city with a welcoming atmosphere and many safe places to live. The Greenville SC crime rate is higher than the national average but lower compared to other towns of similar size. It’s important to note that crime is generally restricted to certain areas that can be easily avoided.
With safe neighborhoods and a conscientious police force, you will feel safe living in Greenville. If you're moving to Greenville, you need a highly rated Greenville moving company to help you get there. With us, you can expect an easy and affordable experience at a low cost. Contact Swamp Rabbit Moving at 864-643-2213 for a free quote now!
© 2025 Swamp Rabbit Moving & Storage. All rights reserved.