Savannah is generally regarded as a safe location for Georgia citizens and visitors. However, like any major city, it has its share of criminal activity that requires additional precautions in certain areas. Georgia is one of the jewels of the American South, with a vibrant cultural heritage and an easygoing charm that makes it a nice place to live. Every state has its questionable locations and while the Savannah, GA, crime rate may be higher than other cities, it may not be particularly dangerous.
According to recent data gathered by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation toward the end of 2023, the state of Georgia has a violent crime occur every 14 minutes and 50 seconds. There is a murder every 12 hours and two minutes, a rape every two hours and 26 minutes, a robbery every two hours and three minutes, and an assault every 19 minutes and 25 seconds.
In 2021, the GBI Crime Statistics Database reported the statewide murder rate as 6.9 per 100,000, the rape rate as 28 per 100,000, the robbery rate at 37.7 per 100,000, and the assault rate at 239.4 per 100,000. In recent years, all of these numbers have started to decrease.
It is vital to analyze the violent crimes perpetrated in the Savannah area and compare the rate of those crimes to both Georgia’s average and the national average. Some crimes occur far more often in Savannah than in the rest of the country or even the rest of the state. Here are some of the significant crime statistics coming out of Savannah:
A: Generally, Savannah is a safer city than Atlanta, according to the most recent crime statistic data. While Atlanta’s overwhelming crime rate has gradually decreased in recent years, it still had a significant homicide rate in 2023. Its crime rate is also still considerably higher than the national average. Savannah has seen a gradual decrease in crime in the past few years and is largely considered a safe city.
A: Generally, it is considered safe to walk at night in Savannah, Georgia. However, every city is going to have its issues with crime, and it might be wise to not put yourself in any bad situations by being aware of your surroundings and using basic common sense. If you feel like you might be in danger, return to your home or hotel before it gets dark. Savannah is generally considered as safe as other cities of a similar size in the region.
A: When you are in Savannah, the areas to avoid are largely the areas with the most poverty and higher crime rates. These include areas like West Savannah, Cloverdale, Carver Heights, and the parts that are north of Victory Drive. These places may not be generally safe for visitors and locals alike. You should treat Savannah like any other major city. Travel in well-lit areas and avoid the parts that are known for dangerous activity.
A: Whether you’d consider Savannah a good place to live or not depends entirely on your own values and what you need for your family in terms of safety and roots. According to some locals, Savannah has a friendly, welcoming atmosphere and is regarded as one of the safer cities in Georgia. It has an affordable cost of living and a vibrant entertainment scene. It is generally a good place to live.
Savannah is known for its friendly people, exciting arts scene, and cost of living. However, it does have minor crime issues, particularly with its somewhat high murder rate. Every major city is going to have problems with crime, but that shouldn’t take away from everything else that those cities have to offer locals and visitors alike.
If you ever find yourself being charged with a crime in Savannah, you may want to reach out to an experienced criminal defense lawyer. They can help you build a viable defense and figure out what your next steps should be. The legal team at Jarrett Maillet J.D., P.C. can develop your case, gather evidence that supports your claim, and represent your interests from start to finish. Contact us to schedule a consultation with a valued team member.