B+
43%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
39%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
44%
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 peopleSmithfield/100k peopleVirginia/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime116n/a (estimate)1,3141,9302,324
Murder0n/a0.07.36.3
Rape0n/a0.030.240.0
Robbery7n/a79.338.466.1
Assault13n/a147.3158.1268.2
Violent crime20n/a (estimate)227234370
Burglary2n/a22.7124.6269.8
Theft89n/a1,008.31,410.41,401.9
Vehicle theft5n/a56.6160.7282.7
Property crime96n/a (estimate)1,0881,6961,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Smithfield, VA

The Smithfield crime rates are 43.5% lower than the national average. There are two main categories of crime - violent crime and property crime. Violent crime consists of murder, rape, robbery and assault, while property crimes include burglary, theft and vehicle theft. There were a total of 20 violent crimes in Smithfield (227 per 100,000 people), which is 38.7% lower than the national average and there were a total of 96 property crimes (1088 per 100,000 residents) which is 44.4% lower than average.

Smithfield showcased a dedication to violent crime safety in its latest reported crime year by achieving a murder rate of 0. This accomplishment could indicate that it is a safe place for residents, but also provides a shining example to other urban areas endeavoring to create safer communities.

Is Smithfield a Safe Place to Live?

Is Smithfield 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, Smithfield has a crime rate that is lower than the national average by 43%. Breaking this down on a daily basis, it translates to 0.32 daily incidents, encompassing 0.05 violent crimes and 0.26 property crimes. Evaluating these statistics can aid in forming a more informed perspective on the safety of Smithfield as a potential place to call home.

Has Crime in Smithfield Increased Since Last Year?

In the most recent crime report, year-over-year crime rates in Smithfield has decreased by 8.7%. Examining the change in crime rates from one year to the next provides valuable insights into the evolving safety landscape of Smithfield, aiding residents in assessing whether it is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live. These crime rates are categorized into two primary groups: violent and property crimes. Year-over-year, violent crime has increased by 100%, while property crime has decreased by 18%. This comprehensive analysis offers potential residents essential information for making informed decisions about whether or not Smithfield is a safe place to live.

Potential Causes for Crime in Smithfield

Smithfield has a poverty rate of 12.2, while the national average is 15.1. In the past, there has been a direct correlation between high or low poverty rates and high or low crime stats. Elevated poverty levels and income disparities can contribute to heightened criminal activity, as individuals may resort to unlawful means to address their fundamental necessities. While lower poverty levels have led to a reduction in typical crime levels compared to other areas.

The level of education within a community can impact crime rates. Higher educational attainment often correlates with lower crime rates, as it provides individuals with better job opportunities and alternatives to criminal behavior. While lower educational achievement rates tend to lead to higher crime rates. In Smithfield, 84.7% of people have completed high school, while 83% of people have completed high school nationally.

The effectiveness of law enforcement and community policing initiatives can influence crime rates. A strong and collaborative relationship between the police and the community can deter criminal activity and improve safety. In Smithfield, there are 3.05 police officers and civilians per 1,000 residents, compared to the national average of 3.25. The effectiveness of law enforcement often depends on community policing strategies that emphasize building trust and cooperation between the police and the community. It's not just about the number of officers but also how they engage with the community.

Smithfield crime map



The Smithfield crime map provides a detailed overview of all crimes in Smithfield 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 Smithfield crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the Smithfield 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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Compare Smithfield, VA Crime

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      Crime Quick Facts

      • Smithfield crime rates are 43% lower than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Smithfield are 39% lower than the national average
      • In Smithfield you have a 1 in 77 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Smithfield is safer than 52% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Smithfield has decreased by 10%

      Smithfield, VA Crime Quiz

         

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        Daily Crime In Smithfield (per 100,000 people)

        The graph above illustrates the number of daily crimes in Smithfield, VA per 100,000 people. In Smithfield, the total number of daily crimes is 1.47 times less than the Virginia average and 1.77 times less than the national average. The number of daily violent crimes in Smithfield is 1.03 times less than the Virginia average and 1.63 times less than the national average. With regards to property crimes, Smithfield has a daily crime rate that is 1.56 times less than the Virginia average and 1.80 times less than the national average.

        How Safe is Smithfield (higher is better)

        When comparing the safety of Smithfield to every other city in Virginia, as well as the entirety of the United States, is Smithfield safe? The gauges above illustrate that Smithfield is safer than 63% of every city located within Virginia along with 52% 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, Smithfield, VA is ranked above average when compared to the rest of the US cities.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Smithfield

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Smithfield is 1 in 442
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Smithfield is 1 in 92
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Smithfield is 1 in 77
        Are you worried about becoming a crime victim? In Smithfield, your chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime is 1 in 442. Types of violent crimes may include assault, robbery, rape, or murder. You also have a 1 in 92 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 Smithfield is 1 in 77.

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

        An ideal indicator of whether Smithfield 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 Smithfield has increased by 97% and the rate of property crime in Smithfield has decreased by 19%. The total crime rate in Smithfield has decreased by 10% year to year.

        Smithfield police department

        Item Smithfield Virginia National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)258,827558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents3.03.23.3
        There are a total of 25 Smithfield police officers. This results in 3.0 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 5.3% less than the Virginia average and 6.2% 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
        Poquoson, VA12,121165479644
        Windsor, VA2,7483829741,356
        Carrollton, VA6,3401791,2971,476
        Surry, VA3262922,1172,410
        Rushmere, VA1,0012952,1392,434
        Newport News, VA179,5826102,3022,911
        Hampton, VA135,1692702,9063,176
        Smithfield, VA8,4922271,0881,314

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        South Kensington, MD8,494140574713
        Conover, NC8,4883873,9884,375
        Los Altos Hills, CA8,49625952977
        Harrison, TN8,4854861,7992,286
        Perryville, MO8,5003191,3831,703
        Smithfield, VA8,4922271,0881,314
        Source: The Smithfield, 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.