Alexandria, VA Crime Rates

An Overview of Crime Rates in Alexandria, VA

Looking at the most recent crime report, the crime rate in Alexandria is 8% lower than the national average. These crimes fall into two primary categories: violent and property. Violent crimes encompass murder, rape, robbery and assault, while property crimes involve theft, vehicle theft and burglary. In Alexandria, there were 281 reported violent crimes, equivalent to 186 per 100,000 individuals, 49.7% lower than the national average. Additionally, there were 2946 property crimes, amounting to 1952 per 100,000 residents, 0.2% lower than the U.S. average.

When assessing the total crime rate in Alexandria per 100,000 people, it stands in the median range among all cities with reported crime data. Our analysis of total incidents, encompassing both violent and property crimes within Alexandria, underscores the close alignment of reported crime rates with the national average as reported by other areas.

The property crime rate per 100,000 people in Alexandria is very similar to the national average. Alexandria had a property crime rate of 1952, while the national average was 1954. Based on these numbers, you could expect an average amount of property crime in this area.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Alexandria?

AreaVibes has conducted polls asking local residents if they feel safe living in Alexandria. Based on the results of the surveys (65 responses), 66% of people felt that there was very little crime in Alexandria and felt safe walking alone at night. While 34% of people felt that it was not a safe place to live and did not feel safe walking alone at night.

Is Alexandria a Safe Place to Live?

Is Alexandria a safe place to live? While the answer may not be straightforward due to variations in safety levels across the city, gaining an understanding of the overall crime rate can prove to be advantageous. In general, Alexandria has a crime rate that is lower than the national average by 8%. Breaking this down on a daily basis, it translates to 8.84 daily incidents, encompassing 0.77 violent crimes and 8.07 property crimes. Evaluating these statistics can aid in forming a more informed perspective on the safety of Alexandria as a potential place to call home.

Has Crime in Alexandria Increased Since Last Year?

Year-over-year crime data allows residents and potential residents to assess the crime in Alexandria. A decrease in crime rates may indicate improving safety, while an increase could raise concerns. The year-over-year crime rate in Alexandria has increased by 7.1%. Violent crimes have decreased by 15.4%, while property crimes have increased by 9.9%. By comparing crime rates from one year to the next, authorities and communities can identify trends and patterns in criminal activity. This helps in understanding whether crime is increasing, decreasing, or remaining stable over time.

Alexandria Neighborhood Crime Rates

There are more than 15 different neighborhoods in the Alexandria area. Depending on their location and other socioeconomic factors, the rate of crime in each neighborhood is vastly different. Areas that are located near the center or downtown core, tend to be more densely populated and typically see higher crime rates. While neighborhoods in the outskirts of the city tend to be less densely populated and have lower unemployment and poverty rates. Some of the safer neighborhoods in Alexandria include Potomac Yard-Potomac Greens, North Ridge-Rosemont and Southwest Wuadrant. While King St Metro, Fairlington-Bradlee and Braddock Road Metro have a reported crime rate that is higher than average. This reinforces the need to do a quality check on multiple neighborhoods as their crime rates can be quite different.

Potential Causes for Crime in Alexandria

If employment opportunities are limited or if many jobs offer low wages, it can lead to higher rates of unemployment and underemployment, which could lead to an increase in Alexandria crime rates. Areas where individuals struggle with unemployment or low wages, may be more susceptible to an increase in criminal activities as a result of financial insecurity. While lower rates of unemployment or a surplus of job opportunities could lead to a decrease in crime as their basic needs are being met. Alexandria has an unemployment rate of 2.5%, compared to a national average of 4.7%.

In Alexandria, the cost of living is 53.85% higher than the national average. A high cost of living can induce economic stress for locals, especially those with limited financial resources. When people grapple with soaring housing expenses, utility bills, healthcare costs, and other essential necessities, they may be driven towards criminal activities, including theft or fraud, as a means of financial survival. Conversely, cities boasting a lower cost of living may mitigate economic pressures and potentially result in reduced crime rates.

In cities grappling with housing affordability challenges, crime can emerge as a prominent issue. Certain individuals and families may find themselves needing to reside in cramped or subpar housing conditions, elevating stress levels and potentially fueling domestic conflicts and associated criminal incidents. Alexandria has a median home price of $572,700, deviating from the national average of $184,700. Large disparities in housing costs can significantly impact the well-being of residents and the prevalence of crime within the community.

Alexandria crime map