A+
73%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
88%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
70%
Property crime NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects the 2022 calendar year and was released from the FBI in September, 2023; this is the most current data available.
StatisticReportedincidents/100k peopleBlacksburg/100k peopleVirginia/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime286n/a (estimate)6251,9302,324
Murder1n/a2.27.36.3
Rape11n/a24.030.240.0
Robbery3n/a6.638.466.1
Assault5n/a10.9158.1268.2
Violent crime20n/a (estimate)44234370
Burglary21n/a45.9124.6269.8
Theft235n/a513.71,410.41,401.9
Vehicle theft10n/a21.9160.7282.7
Property crime266n/a (estimate)5811,6961,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Blacksburg, VA

Looking at the most recent crime report, the crime rate in Blacksburg is 73.1% 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 Blacksburg, there were 20 reported violent crimes, equivalent to 44 per 100,000 individuals, 88.2% lower than the national average. Additionally, there were 266 property crimes, amounting to 581 per 100,000 residents, 70.3% lower than the U.S. average.

Boasting a crime rate of 625, well below the national average of 2324, Blacksburg emerges as a standout destination for those seeking a secure place to reside in the United States. This crime rate is derived from the total occurrences of both violent and property crimes per 100,000 residents, underscoring the unwavering dedication of Blacksburg to ensure a safe living environment for its residents.

Blacksburg shines as one of the safest cities in the United States, thanks to its remarkably low rate of only 44 violent incidents per 100,000 residents. This impressive safety record has made Blacksburg an attractive choice for individuals seeking a secure and hospitable community to call home.

Property crime rates per 100,000 individuals have exhibited a consistent decrease of about 50% since 1990, with a minor upturn observed in recent years. According to the latest crime data, Blacksburg maintains a property crime rate of 581 incidents per 100,000 people, significantly below the national average of 1954. This serves as a strong indication of the status of Blacksburg as a secure and desirable place to reside, emphasizing its commitment to safety and well-being within the community.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Blacksburg?

AreaVibes conducted surveys inquiring about the safety perception of Blacksburg residents. Out of the respondents (17 in total), 71% expressed a strong sense of security, believing that crime rates in Blacksburg were low, and they felt comfortable walking alone at night. Conversely, 29% held a contrasting viewpoint, expressing concerns about safety in the area and feeling uncomfortable walking alone during the nighttime hours.

Is Blacksburg a Safe Place to Live?

Before you decide to relocate, it’s always good to ask yourself “Is Blacksburg a safe place to live?” Although the answer might not be that simple, as some areas are safer than others, getting a good feel for the overall rate of crime can definitely be helpful. Overall, the Blacksburg crime rate is 73% lower than the national average. If we break that down daily, that translates into 0.78 crimes per day - 0.05 violent crimes and 0.73 property crimes.

Has Crime in Blacksburg Increased Since Last Year?

Year-over-year crime data allows residents and potential residents to assess the crime in Blacksburg. A decrease in crime rates may indicate improving safety, while an increase could raise concerns. The year-over-year crime rate in Blacksburg has decreased by 7.4%. Violent crimes have decreased by 42.9%, while property crimes have decreased by 2.9%. 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.

Potential Causes for Crime in Blacksburg

Blacksburg has a population density of 2249 people per square mile, while with the national average is 90.6 people per square mile. Cities characterized by high population density are frequently larger urban centers offering diverse economic prospects. Within these areas, income inequality may be accentuated, resulting in the coexistence of poverty and affluence. Such economic disparities can contribute to elevated property crimes and on occasion, violent crimes. Conversely, areas with low population density generally record lower Blacksburg crime rates.

In Blacksburg, the cost of living is 7.44% 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.

Blacksburg has an average rental rate of $1,141 per month, compared to the national average of $949. In areas with high rental costs, some individuals and families may be forced to live in overcrowded or substandard housing conditions. Overcrowding can lead to increased stress and tension, which may contribute to domestic disputes and related property or violent crimes. Addressing affordable housing and economic mobility can be important strategies for reducing crime in such areas.

Blacksburg crime map



The Blacksburg crime map provides a detailed overview of all crimes in Blacksburg as reported by the local law enforcement agencies. Based on the color coded legend above, the crime map outlines the areas with lower crime compared to the areas with higher crime. The Blacksburg crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the Blacksburg crime map does not always indicate that it is a dangerous area for its residents. Areas on the heat map could be inflated if they are located in high traffic areas like airports, sports centers or large parks. Other areas on the heat map could see increased crime rates if they are located in major tourist areas like the downtown core.
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      Crime Quick Facts

      • Blacksburg crime rates are 73% lower than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Blacksburg are 88% lower than the national average
      • In Blacksburg you have a 1 in 160 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Blacksburg is safer than 87% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Blacksburg has decreased by 11%

      Blacksburg, VA Crime Quiz

         

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        Daily Crime In Blacksburg (per 100,000 people)

        The bar chart above reveals the rate of daily crimes in Blacksburg for every 100,000 residents. The Blacksburg total amount of daily crime is 3.09 times less than the Virginia average and 3.72 times less than than that of the nation. As for violent crimes, the daily average in Blacksburg, is 5.35 times less than the Virginia average, and it is 8.46 times less than the national average. The statistics for property crimes show that Blacksburg has a daily crime average that is 2.92 times less than the Virginia average and 3.36 times less than the daily national rate.

        How Safe is Blacksburg (higher is better)

        When comparing the safety of Blacksburg to every other city in Virginia, as well as the entirety of the United States, is Blacksburg safe? The gauges above illustrate that Blacksburg is safer than 93% of every city located within Virginia along with 87% of the all the cities located in the United States. The results of these graphs are created after analyzing each of the cities in Virginia and in the United States as a whole. As a result, Blacksburg, VA is ranked above average when compared to the rest of the US cities.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Blacksburg

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Blacksburg is 1 in 2288
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Blacksburg is 1 in 172
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Blacksburg is 1 in 160
        Are you worried about becoming a crime victim? In Blacksburg, your chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime is 1 in 2288. Types of violent crimes may include assault, robbery, rape, or murder. You also have a 1 in 172 chance of being the victim of a property crime such as vehicle theft, personal property theft, and burglary. Your overall risk of becoming a crime victim in Blacksburg is 1 in 160.

        Year Over Year Crime In Blacksburg (per 100,000 people)

        An ideal indicator of whether Blacksburg is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live can be done by analyzing the year over year crime rates per 100,000 people. Year over year violent crime in Blacksburg has decreased by 44% and the rate of property crime in Blacksburg has decreased by 6%. The total crime rate in Blacksburg has decreased by 11% year to year.

        Blacksburg police department

        Item Blacksburg Virginia National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)788,827558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents1.83.23.3
        There are a total of 78 Blacksburg police officers. This results in 1.8 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 43.7% less than the Virginia average and 44.3% less than the National average.

        Sex offenders in Virginia

        State Total offenders Virginia /100K National /100K
        Virginia25,766352266
        There are a total of 25,766 sex offenders in Virginia. This yields a total of 352 sex offenders in Virginia per 100,000 residents which is 32% greater than the national average.

        Nearby Cities With Low Crime Rates

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Prices Fork, VA840102740842
        Fairlawn, VA2,656109792901
        Belview, VA9991248971,021
        Plum Creek, VA1,0661319521,084
        Elliston, VA1,0401319521,084
        Merrimac, VA2,8931349701,104
        Radford, VA17,8333181,0901,408
        Blacksburg, VA44,39544581625

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Whitney, NV44,4886243,2743,898
        Haltom City, TX44,3001631,0201,183
        Barnstable Town, MA44,4974637941,257
        Hackensack, NJ44,2662072,4162,623
        Sayreville, NJ44,243879561,043
        Blacksburg, VA44,39544581625
        Source: The Blacksburg, VA crime data displayed above is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reports for the year of 2022. The crime report encompasses more than 18,000 city and state law enforcement agencies reporting data on property and violent crimes. The uniform crime reports program represents approximately 309 million American residents, which results in 98% coverage of metropolitan statistical areas.