When you imagine spending time on a beach or in a quaint beachside haven, you may dream of relaxing vacations and quiet safety along the shores. However, some beach towns are more dangerous than others, whether from crime, violence or even shark attacks.
24/7 Tempo compiled a list of the 25 "most dangerous" beach towns in the U.S., reviewing data on crime incidents from the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program and ranking cities based on the number of reported violent crimes — murder, rape, robber and aggravated assault — per 100,000 residents. Among the cities on the list are two destinations in South Carolina.
With a violent crime rate of 1012.7 per 100,000 residents, an 386 total recorded in 2022, Myrtle Beach ranks as the most dangerous beach town in South Carolina and the 10th most dangerous in the entire country. Nearby North Myrtle Beach ranked No. 24 overall, with a violent crime rate of 447.5 per 100,000 residents and 89 total in 2022.
These are the 10 most dangerous beach towns in America, according to 24/7 Tempo:
- Dewey Beach, Delaware
- Ocean City, Maryland
- South Padre Island, Texas
- Pismo Beach, California
- Rehoboth Beach, Delaware
- Wildwood, New Jersey
- Miami Beach, Florida
- Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
- Seaside Heights, New Jersey
- Riviera Beach, Florida
Check out the full report at 24/7 Tempo to read up on more of the country's most dangerous beach towns. You can also check out our previous coverage of the "most dangerous" road in the entire state.