Is Fort Mill Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

Fort Mill, South Carolina, is a fast-community community less than 30 minutes outside downtown Charlotte, North Carolina.

The region was home to the Catawba Indians at first, and that name still lives on in the river that weaves through the area.

The town’s name is a mix of a nearby fort and another nearby mill. It was established in 1873.

What started as a textile mill transitioned into a larger business community with names like Black & Decker headquarters here.

The growing economy yielded a population growth of 127% between 2010 and 2020, with another 26% growth between 2020 and 2022.

The community hosts major events like the Strawberry Festival, and in peak season, you can visit one of many nearby berry farms and pick your own.

Your larger appetite will be happy to see the unique array of local restaurants mixed in with entertainment districts and outdoor pathways.

Fort Mill also offers easy on/off access to Interstate 77, which takes you to Charlotte to the north or Columbia to the south.

The greater York County area offers even more adventures, and this is a particularly great getaway for families.

From amusement parks to immersive history museums to a day at Lake Wylie’s many nooks, there’s so much to do near Fort Mill, South Carolina.

Warnings & Dangers in Fort Mill

OVERALL RISK: LOW

There's a low risk in Fort Mill and a surprising number of things to do. Some feel it's a little too "suburban," but I found some unique attractions and experiences that are anything but mundane.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW

One route of Charlotte's CATS system comes to Fort Mill and Rock Hill nearby, but it's more of a commuter line. Taxis, rideshares, and rental cars should be available whenever you need a ride. With the unique landscape to explore, a rental car makes the most sense.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW

Just three pickpockets have been reported here over the past five years, giving this a low risk. In addition, overall theft rates are almost half the national average.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM

This is a medium risk because of severe storms, tornadoes, tropical weather, and flooding. Even minor winter storms can wreak havoc on this normally mild location.

MUGGING RISK: LOW

The town averages one to two robberies a year, with businesses normally impacted. The risk is low, but never low enough to let your guard down.

TERRORISM RISK: LOW

The York County Emergency Management Agency has a current condition alert posted on its website. The risk here is low, as it's a small town and a bunch of spread-out small towns.

SCAMS RISK: LOW

The typical scams happen here, mostly focusing on residents. Those include things like scammers posting as law enforcement or utility workers and demanding money. The risk of a tourist scam is low, but you can check the law enforcement websites for scams happening before your visit.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

Fort Mill is one of the safer locations for women of all ages to visit and a particularly great place for senior citizens and families. You should always use basic personal safety steps, but that's about as far as precautions go here.

TAP WATER RISK: LOW

The only violation of the 2022 Water Quality Report was a failure to submit the report on time. All water quality samples met or exceeded the required standards.

Safest Places to Visit in Fort Mill

Use the VisitYorkCounty.com website to find things to do in this section of the state.

That does include Lake Wylie and Rock Hill.

While Fort Mill gets a reputation as being upscale suburbia, the historic downtown Main Street has incredible charm.

It’s a community gathering place for festivals and hosts a slew of restaurants and shops to explore.

If you like hot sauce, don’t miss Puckbutt Pepper Company on Main Street.

The world’s hottest pepper is available here – just ask for Smokin’ Ed’s Carolina Reaper.

Kingsley is another entertainment and community gathering district in Fort Mill, and you get the aesthetics of a former mill area rejuvenated into an up-and-coming district.

Baxter Village is another community district, complete with a nine-mile trail network and several unique restaurants to choose from.

You get river views and some historic sites along the Anne Springs Close Greenway.

The Catawba River has many trails and parks that line the waterway through York County, including a railroad trestle and historic sites.

For more history, check out the Fort Mill History Museum, housed in the historic Spratt Building.

Learn about Fort Mill’s history, including its role in the textile industry, through exhibits and artifacts.

Just 10 miles away is a collection of historical sites at the Culture & Heritage Museums.

For a more high-adrenaline experience, visit Carowinds, a popular amusement park featuring thrilling rides, entertainment shows, and a seasonal water park.

You can choose everything from riding the lazy river to soaring on the newest roller coaster.

Places to Avoid in Fort Mill

Fort Mill isn’t big enough to have a bad part of town, and essentially, just one main road goes through the community, with the rest of the roads being side streets.

In addition, this is an upscale community with an average income of $128,000 a year.

Several community groups work with law enforcement to prevent any dangerous neighborhoods from forming.

The only thing to avoid here is the traffic – not an easy feat.

Don’t drive to Charlotte during the rush hours, or you’ll be stuck in traffic.

I would also expect more road construction in the future as the infrastructure needs to keep up with the growing population.

Safety Tips for Traveling to Fort Mill

So... How Safe Is Fort Mill Really?

Fort Mill is a safe city, with a violent crime rate 82% lower than the state average and 78% lower than the national average.

At least 85% of violent crimes were among people who knew each other, and that’s from crime data going back five years.

At the same time, 60% of all violent crimes happened in private homes.

What’s particularly upsetting about the few crimes that do happen here is that the 10 to 19-year-olds made the largest categories for offenders and victims.

Could that be an issue with juvenile crime brewing?

Robberies are rare, with just seven reported over the past five years.

Even theft is 45% lower than the national average.

It is worth noting that 40% of all thefts are related to car break-ins, which usually means a lot of vehicles are left unlocked or with valuable items inside.

Money Geek ranked Fort Mill as South Carolina’s safest town, which is a great accolade in a state where crime rates are nearly 20% higher than the national average.

Plus, you have to give credit to a community growing this fast but still managing to lower thefts by 30% between 2016 and 2022.

Violent crime is also down 20% from a peak in 2017, but even then, crime rates were at least half the national average.

There is nothing in crime data or recent news headlines that should make you think twice about a trip to Fort Mill.

Heck, you might even want to move there.

How Does Fort Mill Compare?

Useful Information

Visas

You'll need a visa or to be eligible for a visa waiver to get through Customs and Border Patrol. Be sure your passport is valid for at least six months from the last day of your trip, or else you'll have to get a new one. I actually read an article recently about a celebrity who was unable to travel overseas because her passport was four months from expiring.

Currency

You'll only be able to use the U.S. Dollar currency (USD) here. Exchange your currency at Charlotte's airport before you get to this small town. Credit cards will be widely accepted, but check to see if your bank charges a foreign transaction fee.

Weather

Pretty mild winters make this a great place to visit, but occasional snow or ice storms can't be ruled out. It's important to check the forecast before you pack. Bring a mix of layers to choose from in spring and fall, when temperatures will fluctuate a lot. Summers are hot and humid. You'll need bug spray.

Airports

You'll get an easy 20-mile drive to Charlotte Douglas International Airport. It is a major hub, but it can also be prone to delays, crowds, and long security lines.

Travel Insurance

Comprehensive travel insurance is the best way to protect yourself against delays, cancelations, theft, and illnesses.

Fort Mill Weather Averages (Temperatures)

Average High/Low Temperature

South Carolina - Safety by City