Orangeburg County Tops the List of Violent Crime Rates in South Carolina
In the heart of South Carolina, Orangeburg County has found itself in the spotlight for an unfortunate reason, as new crime data indicates that it has the highest rate of violent crime in the state for 2023. According to statistics from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), Orangeburg reported around 143 violent crimes for every 10,000 residents. This alarming statistic has raised a lot of eyebrows and sparked discussions on the underlying issues contributing to this trend.
Understanding the Numbers
Violent crime, as categorized in the report, includes serious offenses such as aggravated assault, murder, robbery, and sexual battery. Following Orangeburg County, other counties such as Allendale and Dillon weren’t far behind, reporting rates of about 122 and 119 per 10,000 residents, respectively. Darlington and Marlboro counties also made the list, with rates of 103 and 93.
Socioeconomic Factors at Play
Solicitor David Pascoe, who oversees the 1st Judicial Circuit, which includes Orangeburg, recognized how poverty levels correlate with violent crime rates. He noted that all five of the counties with the highest violent crime rates have poverty levels exceeding 20%. In fact, Allendale, Dillon, Marlboro, and Orangeburg are among some of the poorest areas in the state, with poverty rates ranging from 24% to 37%.
This trend is significant, considering that national poverty rates in 2022 varied from only 3.1% to 42.4%, with a median sitting at 13.6%. According to U.S. Census data, Allendale County showed the highest poverty rate in South Carolina at 36.7%, followed closely by Dillon at 30.3% and Marlboro at 28.7%.
Communities Divided by Wealth
Pascoe emphasized that the correlation between socioeconomic status and crime is stark in the 1st Circuit. For example, Dorchester County, which borders Orangeburg and has a much lower poverty rate, also boasts one of the lowest violent crime rates in the Lowcountry.
As Pascoe reflected on the past, he pointed out that Orangeburg was previously notorious for its high crime rates, even ranking just behind Washington, D.C., in terms of violent crime and homicide rates in the mid-2000s. However, efforts to tackle this issue, including stricter laws on bond release, seem to have made a significant difference, resulting in a drop in the murder rate from 31 in 2022 to just 17 in 2023, with this year currently sitting at 8 murders.
Moving Forward
Despite the improvements, Orangeburg County Sheriff Leroy Ravenell has not provided comments regarding the current violence trends in his jurisdiction, even after multiple attempts for feedback. As the county continues to battle these challenges, Pascoe has reiterated the need for a tough stance on gun control and assaults, emphasizing that the focus should not be on reducing jail populations but rather on ensuring dangerous criminals remain off the streets.
Looking ahead, both officials and residents remain hopeful that continued efforts to address the root causes of violent crime may pave the way for a safer future in Orangeburg County and beyond.
