The trend information provided is based on data for calendar years 1975 - 2008 or fiscal years 1975-2008. South Carolina's violent-crime rate decreased 6.7 percent from 2007 to 2008. Since 1975, the violent-crime rate has increased 43 percent. There were 34,461 violent offenses in South Carolina in 2007, declining to 32,669 in 2008. There were 33,919 violent offenses known to police in 1999, compared to 28,758 known to police in 1989. South Carolina's violent-crime rate has exceeded the national rate every year since 1975. The State's murder rate decreased 13.6 percent from 2007 to 2008 and 53 percent from 1975 through 2008. South Carolina's murder rate has exceeded the national murder rate each year from 1975 through 2008, except for 1995. South Carolina's rape rate decreased 5.1 percent from 2007 to 2008, and it increased 40.3 percent from 1975 to 2008. South Carolina's rape rate has exceeded the national rate each year since 1982. The State's robbery rate increased 2.4 percent from 2007 to 2008; and since 1975, the robbery rate has increased 33.5 percent. The State robbery rate in 2008 exceeded the national robbery rate for the first time since 2000. South Carolina's aggravated assault rate decreased 8.9 percent from 2007 to 2008, but has increased 50.1 percent from 1975 to 2008. The State's property-crime rate decreased less than 1.0 percent from 2007 to 2008. From 1875 to 2008, the property-crime rate increased 6.9 percent. The State's property-crime rate has exceeded the national rate since 1991. Data are also provided on Index crime arrest rates, drug law arrests, arrests for driving under the influence of a substance (DUI), and drunkenness. Extensive tables and figures