B
8%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
50%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
0%
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 peopleAlexandria/100k peopleVirginia/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime3,227n/a (estimate)2,1381,9302,324
Murder6n/a4.07.36.3
Rape7n/a4.630.240.0
Robbery103n/a68.238.466.1
Assault165n/a109.3158.1268.2
Violent crime281n/a (estimate)186234370
Burglary155n/a102.7124.6269.8
Theft2,459n/a1,628.91,410.41,401.9
Vehicle theft332n/a219.9160.7282.7
Property crime2,946n/a (estimate)1,9521,6961,954

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



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

  • Alexandria crime rates are 8% lower than the national average
  • Violent crimes in Alexandria are 50% lower than the national average
  • In Alexandria you have a 1 in 47 chance of becoming a victim of crime
  • Alexandria is safer than 47% of the cities in the United States
  • Year over year crime in Alexandria has increased by 14%

Alexandria, VA Crime Quiz

     

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        Daily Crime In Alexandria (per 100,000 people)

        The bar chart above reveals the rate of daily crimes in Alexandria for every 100,000 residents. The Alexandria total amount of daily crime is 1.11 times more than the Virginia average and 1.09 times less than than that of the nation. As for violent crimes, the daily average in Alexandria, is 1.26 times less than the Virginia average, and it is 1.99 times less than the national average. The statistics for property crimes show that Alexandria has a daily crime average that is 1.15 times more than the Virginia average and 1.00 times less than the daily national rate.

        How Safe is Alexandria (higher is better)

        Are people any safer living in Alexandria in comparison to other Virginia communities and all other areas throughout the United States? When we look at all cities across America, is Alexandria safe? The evidence provided by these graphs show Alexandria being safer than 53% of cities in Virginia and 47% of cities across the United States. This is evident by tracking Virginia cities as well as all US cities over a one year period to contrast crime statistics as they relate to Alexandria. In conclusion, Alexandria ranks below average compared to the rest of the United States.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Alexandria

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Alexandria is 1 in 538
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Alexandria is 1 in 52
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Alexandria is 1 in 47
        Wondering what the chances are that you fall victim to a crime in Alexandria? In Alexandria, VA you have a 1 in 538 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime. Violent crimes include murder, rape, robbery and assault. With regards to property crime, you have a 1 in 52 chance of becoming a victim. Property crimes include burglary, theft and motor vehicle theft. Overall, you have a 1 in 47 chance of becoming a victim of crime in Alexandria.

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

        A good indicator of whether Alexandria is becoming a safer or a more dangerous place to live can be determined by analyzing the year over year crime rate (per 100,000 people). The number of violent crimes in Alexandria has decreased by 10%, while the property crime rate in Alexandria has increased by 17% year over year. The number of total crimes in Alexandria has increased by 14% year over year.

        Alexandria police department

        Item Alexandria Virginia National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)4128,827558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents2.83.23.3
        There are a total of 412 Alexandria police officers. This results in 2.8 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 12.3% less than the Virginia average and 13.1% 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
        Somerset, MD95256229285
        Cabin John, MD2,27656229285
        Mason Neck, VA1,93837266303
        Chevy Chase Village, MD1,87162256319
        Chevy Chase town, MD2,94862256319
        Ravensworth, VA2,84142306348
        Brookmont, MD3,92576311387
        Alexandria, VA158,3091861,9522,138

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Hayward, CA158,8173572,9013,258
        Lancaster, CA157,6978681,8762,744
        Salinas, CA156,1775211,6772,198
        Clarksville, TN156,0924981,9992,497
        Lakewood, CO155,7338145,3246,137
        Alexandria, VA158,3091861,9522,138
        Source: The Alexandria, 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.