Safest cities in Virginia

Known as the 'Old Dominion,' Virginia is rich in history, cultural heritage, and natural beauty. Located in the southeastern United States, Virginia boasts a diverse geography that includes the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Chesapeake Bay, and beautiful Atlantic Ocean beaches. The state's economy is driven by industries such as technology, defense, agriculture, and tourism. Richmond, the state capital, and Virginia Beach, the largest city, are cultural and economic hubs known for their historic sites, vibrant arts scenes, and outdoor recreational opportunities. Virginia is also home to numerous historic landmarks, including Colonial Williamsburg and Monticello, reflecting its significant role in American history.

Low crime rates are essential for maintaining a high quality of life, making the safest cities in Virginia highly desirable. Safety fosters a sense of community and stability, allowing residents to thrive in a secure environment. Factors contributing to the safety of Virginia's cities include strong law enforcement, active community policing, and engaged local governments. The safest cities are ranked based on total crime per 100,000 people, ensuring a transparent and reliable measure of safety. This emphasis on security allows residents to enjoy Virginia's natural beauty, cultural richness, and economic opportunities without the overshadowing concern of crime, making it an attractive place to live and work.

Buena Vista Population: 6,477 441 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 122 Property Crime / 100k: 319 chance of being a victim: 1 in 227

Buena Vista proudly holds the honor of being the safest city in Virginia. With only 441 crimes per 100,000 people, Buena Vista has a crime rate that is 93% lower than the Virginia average. This equates to an average of 0.08 crimes per day and a 1 in 227 chance of becoming a victim of a crime. The city's well-funded police department, active neighborhood watch programs, and community engagement initiatives contribute significantly to its low crime rates, making it an ideal place for families and retirees.

Bridgewater Population: 6,090 475 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 30 Property Crime / 100k: 445 chance of being a victim: 1 in 211

Known for its tight-knight community and safe environment, Bridgewater comes in at #2 on our list of the safest cities in Virginia with a crime rate of 475 crimes per 100,000 people. When you dig deeper into the numbers, this translates to: 0 counts of burglary, 445 counts of theft, 0 counts of vehicle theft, 0 counts of assault, 0 counts of robbery, 30 counts of rape and 0 counts of homicide. The commitment to safety in Bridgewater, makes it one of the safest and most livable areas in the state.

Purcellville Population: 10,063 612 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 33 Property Crime / 100k: 578 chance of being a victim: 1 in 163

With a population of 10,063 and a total crime rate of 612 per 100,000 residents, Purcellville is the 3rd safest city in Virginia. Exhibiting a total crime rate that is 91% lower than the Virginia average, the commitment to safety is evident in its multifaceted crime prevention strategies. The local government collaborates closely with residents through regular community meetings and feedback sessions to address safety concerns. The end result, is an incredibly safe place to live.

Blacksburg Population: 44,395 762 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 87 Property Crime / 100k: 675 chance of being a victim: 1 in 131

With many parks and recreational activities readily available, Blacksburg is a growing community where residents can enjoy the outdoors. Residents also feel safe, knowing that the overall crime rate per 100,000 people is 762, 54% lower than the Virginia average. This amounts to 0.96 crimes per day and a 1 in 131 chance of becoming a victim of a crime. Strong community partnerships between local businesses, schools, and law enforcement further enhance the city’s security. These combined efforts make Blacksburg a highly desirable and safe place to call home.

Lexington Population: 7,205 823 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 106 Property Crime / 100k: 717 chance of being a victim: 1 in 121

Known for its friendly neighborhoods and proactive safety measures, Lexington consistently ranks high in safety. In Lexington, the focus on community policing ensures that officers are integrated into the community, building strong relationships with residents. Crime prevention education, offered through schools and local organizations, empowers residents to take an active role in maintaining their safety. With everything working asynchronously, the total crime rate comes in at 823, which is 92% lower than the state average.

Poquoson Population: 12,121 917 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 198 Property Crime / 100k: 719 chance of being a victim: 1 in 109

Poquoson has lots to offer its residents, including safety as it comes in at #6 on our list of the safest cities in Virginia. The total crime rate from the year that it was last reported was 917 crimes per 100,000 people, 87% lower than the Virginia average. Breaking down each category of crime, it comes out to: 150 reports of burglary, 553 reports of theft, 16 reports of vehicle theft, 166 reports of assault, 0 reports of robbery, 32 reports of rape and 0 reports of homicide.

Vienna Population: 16,532 957 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 117 Property Crime / 100k: 840 chance of being a victim: 1 in 104

Vienna ranks as the seventh safest city in Virginia and offers a peaceful retreat with minimal crime. With a 1 in 104 chance of becoming a victim of a crime and 0.42 crimes per day (per 100,000 people), the area has a safety record that speaks for itself. Active involvement from its residents, such as neighborhood patrols and community safety workshops, fosters a strong sense of community and vigilance. Vienna’s commitment to safety makes it one of the safest places in Virginia.

Dumfries Population: 5,559 1,229 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 208 Property Crime / 100k: 1,022 chance of being a victim: 1 in 81

Recognized for sprawling open spaces, outdoor recreational opportunities, and a growing economy, Dumfries is the 8th safest city in Virginia. Continuously ranking as one of the safest cities in the state, the crime rate came in at 94% lower than the Virginia average, reporting a total of 1,229 crimes per 100,000 people. The city places a strong emphasis on public safety through various initiatives that promote collaboration between residents and local authorities. Regular community safety events and lots of outdoor spaces, coupled with an accessible and responsive police force, ensure that residents feel safe and supported.

Warrenton Population: 9,928 1,265 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 58 Property Crime / 100k: 1,207 chance of being a victim: 1 in 79

Many safe cities implement comprehensive crime prevention programs that include educational initiatives, youth engagement activities, and public awareness campaigns. Warrenton is a great example of such a city and continually ranks as one of the safest communities in Virginia, based on the annual review of the FBI uniform crime report. Statistically speaking, there were a total of 1,265 crimes per 100,000 residents, which is 90% lower than the state average.

Strasburg Population: 6,643 1,292 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 261 Property Crime / 100k: 1,031 chance of being a victim: 1 in 77

Completing the list as the 10th safest city in Virginia, is Strasburg. With a low rate of crime that included 137 burglaries, 838 thefts, 55 vehicle thefts, 179 assaults, 27 robberies, 41 rapes and 14 homicides, the overall crime rate was 93% lower than the state average. Cities with engaged citizens and responsive government bodies are more likely to implement effective policies and practices that promote safety and address residents’ concerns.

Full list of the safest cities in Virginia

Rank	Location	Population	Violent Crimes /100k	Property Crimes /100k	Total Crimes /100k
1	Buena Vista	6,477	122	319	441
2	Bridgewater	6,090	30	445	475
3	Purcellville	10,063	33	578	612
4	Blacksburg	44,395	87	675	762
5	Lexington	7,205	106	717	823
6	Poquoson	12,121	198	719	917
7	Vienna	16,532	117	840	957
8	Dumfries	5,559	208	1,022	1,229
9	Warrenton	9,928	58	1,207	1,265
10	Strasburg	6,643	261	1,031	1,292
11	Manassas Park	17,548	255	1,067	1,322
12	Smithfield	8,492	277	1,108	1,385
13	Radford	17,833	199	1,189	1,388
14	Orange	5,024	289	1,253	1,542
15	Big Stone Gap	5,209	137	1,409	1,546
16	Covington	5,653	159	1,433	1,592
17	Williamsburg	15,034	266	1,375	1,641
18	Herndon	24,577	217	1,427	1,644
19	Staunton	24,660	169	1,490	1,659
20	Culpeper	18,633	166	1,504	1,670
21	Vinton	8,102	162	1,567	1,729
22	Virginia Beach	450,882	95	1,656	1,752
23	Martinsville	12,646	361	1,529	1,890
24	Leesburg	53,731	254	1,656	1,910
25	Falls Church	14,309	124	1,793	1,917
26	Front Royal	15,214	228	1,691	1,918
27	Abingdon	7,936	240	1,707	1,947
28	Salem	25,290	86	1,863	1,949
29	Richlands	5,311	563	1,476	2,039
30	Manassas	41,038	258	1,810	2,068
31	Hopewell	22,500	366	1,755	2,121
32	Marion	5,646	320	1,848	2,167
33	Farmville	8,152	415	1,754	2,169
34	Suffolk	91,383	548	1,643	2,191
35	Waynesboro	22,300	229	1,966	2,195
36	Woodstock	5,247	101	2,099	2,200
37	Harrisonburg	53,558	224	2,001	2,225
38	Chesapeake	242,647	416	1,825	2,242
39	Bedford	6,599	221	2,111	2,332
40	Lynchburg	80,970	335	2,009	2,343
41	Christiansburg	22,482	162	2,202	2,364
42	Alexandria	158,309	229	2,430	2,659
43	Winchester	27,912	308	2,493	2,801
44	South Boston	7,676	435	2,455	2,889
45	Wytheville	7,925	61	2,841	2,902
46	Ashland	7,819	434	2,604	3,038
47	Hampton	135,169	285	2,998	3,283
48	Pulaski	8,744	496	2,865	3,361
49	Newport News	179,582	876	2,517	3,393
50	Danville	40,668	368	3,027	3,395

Methodology

The AreaVibes list of the safest cities in Virginia is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reporting program (UCR Program) from their most recent release. To compile this list, we used violent crime (assualt, robbery, rape and murder) and property crime data (burglary, theft, vehicle theft) per 100,000 people and only included Virginia cities with a population of 5,000 or more. Displaying crime rates based on a population of 100,000 allows for an equal comparison for each city.

Map of Crime by State

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The interactive map above is a powerful tool for discovering the safest cities in each state across the USA. By highlighting states with the lowest total crime rates, this map provides valuable insights into the factors contributing to these statistics. It showcases urban centers with thriving economies, regions boasting solid job markets, and areas with low unemployment, all of which correlate with reduced crime rates. By clicking on each state, you can dive deeper into information about their safest cities and explore detailed crime statistics that paint a clearer picture of safety across the nation.