F
19%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
55%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
12%
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 peopleAshland/100k peopleVirginia/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime212n/a (estimate)2,7671,9302,324
Murder0n/a0.07.36.3
Rape3n/a39.230.240.0
Robbery3n/a39.238.466.1
Assault38n/a496.0158.1268.2
Violent crime44n/a (estimate)574234370
Burglary9n/a117.5124.6269.8
Theft147n/a1,918.81,410.41,401.9
Vehicle theft12n/a156.6160.7282.7
Property crime168n/a (estimate)2,1931,6961,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Ashland, VA

The Ashland crime rates are 19.1% higher 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 44 violent crimes in Ashland (574 per 100,000 people), which is 55.3% higher than the national average and there were a total of 168 property crimes (2193 per 100,000 residents) which is 12.2% higher than average.

In the latest reported crime year, Ashland recorded zero homicides. This statistic potentially positions the city as a paragon of security, radiating a profound sense of safety for its residents. A low number of severe violent crimes instills a deep feeling of well-being among its community but also establishes a lofty benchmark for other locales aspiring to foster equally secure environments.

Ashland maintains a property crime rate that closely resembles the national norm. In Ashland, 2193 property crimes were reported, aligning with the national average of 1954 per 100,000 individuals. Consequently, the area's safety profile stands on par with the average city, neither significantly safer nor more dangerous. This consistency underscores a balanced commitment to community safety and security, providing residents with a stable and reassuring living environment.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Ashland?

What is the prevailing sentiment among Ashland residents regarding the state of crime? A comprehensive survey conducted by AreaVibes, involving 7 respondents, sheds light on this matter. The results were as follows: 29% of Ashland residents expressed a notable sense of security, asserting that crime was virtually non-existent in their community, and they felt at ease strolling the streets after dark. While, 71% of those surveyed held a contrasting viewpoint, perceiving a higher incidence of crime, leading them to feel apprehensive about walking alone at night.

Is Ashland a Safe Place to Live?

Is Ashland 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, Ashland has a crime rate that is higher than the national average by 19%. Breaking this down on a daily basis, it translates to 0.58 daily incidents, encompassing 0.12 violent crimes and 0.46 property crimes. Evaluating these statistics can aid in forming a more informed perspective on the safety of Ashland as a potential place to call home.

Has Crime in Ashland Increased Since Last Year?

In the most recent crime report, year-over-year crime rates in Ashland has increased by 23.3%. Examining the change in crime rates from one year to the next provides valuable insights into the evolving safety landscape of Ashland, 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 18.9%, while property crime has increased by 24.4%. This comprehensive analysis offers potential residents essential information for making informed decisions about whether or not Ashland is a safe place to live.

Potential Causes for Crime in Ashland

Ashland has a poverty rate of 13.4, 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.

Escalating cost of living expenses, encompassing exorbitant housing costs, grocery and healthcare expenditures, can induce financial strain on individuals and families, particularly those with limited financial resources. Such economic stress may propel individuals towards criminal activities, including theft or burglary, as a means of addressing their financial hardships. Conversely, cities characterized by a lower cost of living may alleviate economic pressures, potentially resulting in a reduced crime rate. In Ashland, the cost of living is 0.33% lower than the national average, reflecting a more affordable economic environment that could contribute to a decrease in crime levels.

In areas where housing affordability is an issue, crime can become a significant concern. Some individuals and families may be forced to live in overcrowded or substandard housing conditions, which can increase stress and potentially contribute to domestic disputes and related crimes. The median home price in Ashland is $195,700, compared to a national average of $184,700.

Ashland crime map



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

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      Crime Quick Facts

      • Ashland crime rates are 19% higher than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Ashland are 55% higher than the national average
      • In Ashland you have a 1 in 37 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Ashland is safer than 15% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Ashland has increased by 28%

      Ashland, VA Crime Quiz

         

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        Daily Crime In Ashland (per 100,000 people)

        The above illustration depicts the number of crimes committed daily in Ashland, per 100,000 residents. In Ashland, the total number of daily crimes is 1.43 times more than the Virginia average and 1.19 times more than the national average. Violent daily crime statistics in Ashland are 2.45 times more than the Virginia average and 1.55 times more than the national average. For property crime, Ashland has a daily crime rate that is 1.29 times more than the Virginia average and 1.12 times more than the daily national average.

        How Safe is Ashland (higher is better)

        When comparing the safety of Ashland to every other city in Virginia, as well as the entirety of the United States, is Ashland safe? The gauges above illustrate that Ashland is safer than 10% of every city located within Virginia along with 15% 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, Ashland, VA is ranked below average when compared to the rest of the US cities.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Ashland

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Ashland is 1 in 175
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Ashland is 1 in 46
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Ashland is 1 in 37
        Are you at risk of becoming a victim of crime in Ashland, Virginia? If you reside in Ashland, then there is a 1 in 175 chance that you will experience a violent crime. These types of crimes may include homicide, sexual assault, robbery, and physical assault. Your risk of being a victim of property crime is 1 in 46. These types of crime include burglary, petty theft, and theft of motor vehicles. Altogether, there is a 1 in 37 risk that you will become a victim of crime in Ashland.

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

        Determining whether Ashland is becoming less or more safe for its residents (per 100,000) is most easily done by comparing year-over-year crime rates. Ashland violent crime rates have increased by 24%. At the same time, property crime has increased by 30% year over year. Total crimes for Ashland has increased by 28% in the same time frame.

        Ashland police department

        Item Ashland Virginia National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)278,827558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents3.73.23.3
        There are a total of 27 Ashland police officers. This results in 3.7 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 14.3% greater than the Virginia average and 13.2% greater 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
        Wyndham, VA11,65689646735
        Short Pump, VA27,3851289301,058
        Innsbrook, VA9,0811591,1491,307
        Hanover, VA1821941,4061,600
        Chamberlayne, VA5,1162021,4651,667
        Tuckahoe, VA48,5172131,5431,756
        Rockwood, VA8,0082231,6151,838
        Ashland, VA7,8195742,1932,767

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Joshua, TX7,8182798721,151
        Centerville, GA7,8211341,3121,446
        Quincy, WA7,8151662,4962,663
        Richfield, UT7,8131793,0313,210
        York, NE7,8102079741,181
        Ashland, VA7,8195742,1932,767
        Source: The Ashland, 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.