In its annual “Safest Cities in South Carolina” report, SafeWise has named Fort Mill, Tega Cay, and Clover among the top 10 safest cities in the state for 2025. The rankings are based on FBI crime data, examining both violent and property crime rates per 1,000 residents. York County communities continue to perform strongly in safety metrics, even as population growth and development increase in the region.
The SafeWise report highlights that across South Carolina, property crime rates have seen a notable decline, although public concern about safety remains high. For York County cities, the combination of community policing, resident involvement, and targeted law enforcement efforts has helped keep crime rates below state and national averages.
Fort Mill: A Consistent Leader in Safety
Fort Mill ranks second statewide in 2025, with a violent crime rate of 0.8 per 1,000 residents and a property crime rate of 6.1. The city continues to benefit from proactive public safety strategies and strong partnerships between law enforcement and the community. As one of the fastest-growing areas in the state, Fort Mill has prioritized maintaining public safety alongside development.
Tega Cay: Crime Rates Decline for Third Straight Year
Tega Cay holds the third position on the list, supported by a three-year trend of declining violent and property crime rates. In 2025, the city reported a violent crime rate of just 0.2 per 1,000 residents and a property crime rate of 9.1. Officials credit consistent investments in police services and public awareness initiatives for the steady improvement.
Clover: A Safe Community Amid Growth
Clover is ranked sixth among the safest cities in South Carolina. With a violent crime rate of 1.8 and a property crime rate of 9.9 per 1,000 residents, the town has maintained a safe environment for families and businesses. Public safety has remained a key focus as the town continues to grow in both population and infrastructure.
SafeWise 2025 List: South Carolina’s 10 Safest Cities
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Lexington
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Fort Mill
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Tega Cay
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Lyman
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Bluffton
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Clover
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Port Royal
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Mount Pleasant
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Hanahan
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Central
These cities represent communities with some of the lowest crime rates in the state, according to SafeWise’s analysis of the most recent FBI data.
For more details and methodology, the full report is available at SafeWise: South Carolina’s 20 Safest Cities of 2025.
