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.

Blacksburg Population: 44,395 625 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 44 Property Crime / 100k: 581 chance of being a victim: 1 in 160

Blacksburg proudly holds the honor of being the safest city in Virginia. With only 625 crimes per 100,000 people, Blacksburg has a crime rate that is 54% lower than the Virginia average. This equates to an average of 0.78 crimes per day and a 1 in 160 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.

Poquoson Population: 12,121 644 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 165 Property Crime / 100k: 479 chance of being a victim: 1 in 155

Known for its tight-knight community and safe environment, Poquoson comes in at #2 on our list of the safest cities in Virginia with a crime rate of 644 crimes per 100,000 people. When you dig deeper into the numbers, this translates to: 71 counts of burglary, 377 counts of theft, 31 counts of vehicle theft, 110 counts of assault, 24 counts of robbery, 31 counts of rape and 0 counts of homicide. The commitment to safety in Poquoson, makes it one of the safest and most livable areas in the state.

Purcellville Population: 10,063 681 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 66 Property Crime / 100k: 615 chance of being a victim: 1 in 147

With a population of 10,063 and a total crime rate of 681 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.

Bridgewater Population: 6,090 756 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 80 Property Crime / 100k: 676 chance of being a victim: 1 in 132

With many parks and recreational activities readily available, Bridgewater 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 756, 94% lower than the Virginia average. This amounts to 0.13 crimes per day and a 1 in 132 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 Bridgewater a highly desirable and safe place to call home.

Lexington Population: 7,205 760 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 105 Property Crime / 100k: 655 chance of being a victim: 1 in 132

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 760, which is 92% lower than the state average.

Buena Vista Population: 6,477 908 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 151 Property Crime / 100k: 757 chance of being a victim: 1 in 110

Buena Vista 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 908 crimes per 100,000 people, 93% lower than the Virginia average. Breaking down each category of crime, it comes out to: 30 reports of burglary, 636 reports of theft, 91 reports of vehicle theft, 121 reports of assault, 0 reports of robbery, 30 reports of rape and 0 reports of homicide.

Strasburg Population: 6,643 935 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 165 Property Crime / 100k: 770 chance of being a victim: 1 in 107

Strasburg ranks as the seventh safest city in Virginia and offers a peaceful retreat with minimal crime. With a 1 in 107 chance of becoming a victim of a crime and 0.19 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. Strasburg’s commitment to safety makes it one of the safest places in Virginia.

Vienna Population: 16,532 1,087 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 56 Property Crime / 100k: 1,031 chance of being a victim: 1 in 92

Recognized for sprawling open spaces, outdoor recreational opportunities, and a growing economy, Vienna is the 8th safest city in Virginia. Continuously ranking as one of the safest cities in the state, the crime rate came in at 84% lower than the Virginia average, reporting a total of 1,087 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 1,233 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 157 Property Crime / 100k: 1,077 chance of being a victim: 1 in 81

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 1,233 crimes per 100,000 residents, which is 90% lower than the state average.

Covington Population: 5,653 1,238 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 279 Property Crime / 100k: 959 chance of being a victim: 1 in 81

Completing the list as the 10th safest city in Virginia, is Covington. With a low rate of crime that included 105 burglaries, 820 thefts, 35 vehicle thefts, 105 assaults, 0 robberies, 174 rapes and 0 homicides, the overall crime rate was 94% 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	Blacksburg	44,395	44	581	625
2	Poquoson	12,121	165	479	644
3	Purcellville	10,063	66	615	681
4	Bridgewater	6,090	80	676	756
5	Lexington	7,205	105	655	760
6	Buena Vista	6,477	151	757	908
7	Strasburg	6,643	165	770	935
8	Vienna	16,532	56	1,031	1,087
9	Warrenton	9,928	157	1,077	1,233
10	Covington	5,653	279	959	1,238
11	Smithfield	8,492	227	1,088	1,314
12	Radford	17,833	318	1,090	1,408
13	Woodstock	5,247	253	1,400	1,653
14	Richlands	5,311	388	1,299	1,687
15	Virginia Beach	450,882	87	1,611	1,698
16	Leesburg	53,731	300	1,411	1,711
17	Front Royal	15,214	211	1,513	1,724
18	Abingdon	7,936	194	1,537	1,730
19	Williamsburg	15,034	209	1,539	1,748
20	Falls Church	14,309	56	1,731	1,787
21	Culpeper	18,633	206	1,627	1,833
22	Salem	25,290	126	1,732	1,858
23	Dumfries	5,559	265	1,643	1,908
24	Big Stone Gap	5,209	155	1,785	1,940
25	Herndon	24,577	253	1,708	1,961
26	Staunton	24,660	141	1,866	2,007
27	Orange	5,024	457	1,561	2,018
28	Harrisonburg	53,558	251	1,809	2,060
29	Waynesboro	22,300	227	1,873	2,100
30	Alexandria	158,309	186	1,952	2,138
31	Vinton	8,102	200	1,976	2,176
32	Suffolk	91,383	476	1,792	2,268
33	Chesapeake	242,647	417	2,011	2,428
34	Martinsville	12,646	381	2,116	2,496
35	Hopewell	22,500	539	1,962	2,501
36	Manassas	41,038	294	2,213	2,507
37	Christiansburg	22,482	184	2,364	2,548
38	Marion	5,646	315	2,294	2,609
39	South Boston	7,676	330	2,334	2,664
40	Ashland	7,819	574	2,193	2,767
41	Lynchburg	80,970	358	2,462	2,819
42	Newport News	179,582	610	2,302	2,911
43	Winchester	27,912	268	2,775	3,043
44	Bristol	17,059	373	2,697	3,069
45	Hampton	135,169	270	2,906	3,176
46	Bedford	6,599	225	3,009	3,233
47	Petersburg	30,791	814	2,555	3,369
48	Farmville	8,152	457	2,938	3,395
49	Danville	40,668	325	3,194	3,519
50	Franklin	8,015	519	3,123	3,642

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.