Orangeburg County Tops the Charts for Violent Crime in South Carolina
Orangeburg, South Carolina, recently landed an unwanted title: it has the highest rate of violent crime in the state for 2023. With a staggering rate of about 143 violent crimes per 10,000 residents, Orangeburg County is making headlines for all the wrong reasons, according to the latest crime report from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.
Breaking Down the Numbers
Hot on Orangeburg’s heels is Allendale County, which reported a rate of approximately 122 violent crimes per 10,000 residents. Dillon County follows closely behind with 119 violent crimes, Darlington County at 103, and Marlboro County rounding out the top five with a rate of 93 violent crimes per 10,000 residents.
What exactly are we talking about when we say “violent crime”? The report includes serious offenses such as aggravated assault, murder, robbery, and sexual battery, all of which paint a sobering picture of safety in these areas.
Poverty as the Root Cause
According to Solicitor David Pascoe, who oversees the 1st Judicial Circuit covering Orangeburg, as well as Calhoun and Dorchester Counties, a primary reason for these soaring crime rates is the high levels of poverty in the affected areas. “When you analyze the most violent counties versus the least violent ones,” he points out, “you’ll find all five counties with the highest crime rates have poverty levels over 20%.”
To put it plainly, Orangeburg, Allendale, Dillon, and Marlboro Counties all show high poverty rates ranging from 24% to 37%. For instance, data reveals that Allendale County has a staggering 36.7% poverty rate— the highest in the state— while Dillon County stands at 30.3%, and Marlboro follows closely at 28.7% and Orangeburg at 24.6%.
The Contrast
It’s interesting to note that counties with the lowest violent crime rates boast poverty rates under 20%. In fact, right next to Orangeburg is Dorchester County, recognized for having one of the lowest poverty rates in South Carolina and also the lowest violent crime rate in the Lowcountry.
Looking Backward to Move Forward
Interestingly, Orangeburg has seen its fair share of troubling crime statistics in the past. “Back in 2005, when I took over as solicitor, Orangeburg was infamous for having the worst violent crime and homicide rates just short of Washington, D.C.,” Pascoe recalls. “Fortunately, we managed to turn that around fairly quickly.”
With a firm approach that includes getting tougher on bonds and pushing for quicker trials for homicide cases, Pascoe has seen some success. “Last year we had 31 murders in Orangeburg,” he reports, “and thanks to our efforts, we got that number down to 17 in 2023. Right now, we’re already down to 8 murders in 2024.”
The Path Forward
The work is far from over, however. Pascoe emphasizes that reducing crime involves more than just arresting individuals; it’s about addressing the underlying issues at play. “If you want to get from 31 to single digits in two years, you’ve got to tackle the issues head-on—gun violence and assaults in particular,” he insists. “It’s not about emptying the jails but filling them with those who pose a risk to our community.”
As the discussion around crime continues, it’s clear that the road ahead for Orangeburg County and others like it will require a blend of tough love and community support. While the statistics can be alarming, they can also serve as a valuable reminder of the work that still lies ahead.
