B
47%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
25%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
51%
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 peopleCovington/100k peopleVirginia/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime71n/a (estimate)1,2381,9302,324
Murder0n/a0.07.36.3
Rape10n/a174.430.240.0
Robbery0n/a0.038.466.1
Assault6n/a104.7158.1268.2
Violent crime16n/a (estimate)279234370
Burglary6n/a104.7124.6269.8
Theft47n/a819.81,410.41,401.9
Vehicle theft2n/a34.9160.7282.7
Property crime55n/a (estimate)9591,6961,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Covington, VA

Crime is typically categorized into two main types: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes encompass offenses such as murder, rape, robbery, and assault, while property crimes include burglary, theft, and vehicle theft. Based on the most recent report, the Covington crime rate is lower than the national average by 46.7%. Specifically, there were 16 violent crimes in Covington, equivalent to 279 per 100,000 individuals, lower than the national average by 24.5%. Furthermore, Covington recorded 55 property crimes, amounting to 959 per 100,000 residents, which was lower than the average by 50.9%.

In a remarkable testament to the city's commitment to safety, Covington reported a murder rate of 0. This could indicate that it is a very safe place to live, but also serves as an inspiration to other urban areas striving for safer communities. Examining the full crime report will provide a complete overview of all crimes - violent and property.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Covington?

AreaVibes surveyed 5 local residents in Covington to gauge the safety of the area. Based on the results, 80% of people answered that there was very little crime in Covington and that they felt very comfortable walking alone at night. Another 20% of people responded that there was far too much crime and they would be hesitant to walk the streets alone at night. Keep in mind that the opinions of residents may vary depending on which area they live in.

Is Covington a Safe Place to Live?

Before you decide to relocate, it’s always good to ask yourself “Is Covington 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 Covington crime rate is 47% lower than the national average. If we break that down daily, that translates into 0.19 crimes per day - 0.04 violent crimes and 0.15 property crimes.

Has Crime in Covington Increased Since Last Year?

Examining year-over-year crime data provides insights into short-term trends with regards to the crime activity in Covington. This analysis involves comparing crime rates from one year to the next, enabling the identification of patterns and fluctuations in crime. Such information proves invaluable to residents seeking to make well-informed decisions about their choice of residence. In the most recent year, compared to the previous one, total crime in Covington has decreased by 25.3%. Specifically, violent crime has decreased by 11.1%, while property crime has decreased by 28.6%. This data empowers individuals with a clearer understanding of the evolving safety landscape in Covington.

Potential Causes for Crime in Covington

In Covington, the current unemployment rate stands at 1.4%, diverging from the national average of 4.7%. The availability of job opportunities is a pivotal factor influencing unemployment and underemployment rates. Communities where individuals contend with limited employment prospects or a preponderance of low-wage positions may witness elevated rates of joblessness and income inadequacy, which can contribute to heightened crime levels driven by financial insecurity. Conversely, areas characterized by robust employment rates often experience a reduction in overall Covington crime rates.

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 Covington, there are 4.66 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.

Elevated rental costs can generate economic strain for both individuals and families, particularly those with restricted financial means. When a substantial proportion of one's income is allocated to housing costs, it often leaves limited resources for fulfilling other crucial necessities such as groceries, healthcare and education. This financial pressure can fuel desperation, potentially prompting individuals to resort to criminal actions, including theft or fraud, as a means of coping with their financial hardships. In Covington, the average monthly rent stands at $760, while the national average is $949 per month.

Covington crime map



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

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      Crime Quick Facts

      • Covington crime rates are 47% lower than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Covington are 25% lower than the national average
      • In Covington you have a 1 in 81 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Covington is safer than 48% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Covington has decreased by 27%

      Covington, VA Crime Quiz

         

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        Daily Crime In Covington (per 100,000 people)

        The above illustration depicts the number of crimes committed daily in Covington, per 100,000 residents. In Covington, the total number of daily crimes is 1.56 times less than the Virginia average and 1.88 times less than the national average. Violent daily crime statistics in Covington are 1.19 times more than the Virginia average and 1.33 times less than the national average. For property crime, Covington has a daily crime rate that is 1.77 times less than the Virginia average and 2.04 times less than the daily national average.

        How Safe is Covington (higher is better)

        How safe is Covington, Virginia compared to other cities in Virginia and the rest of the cities across the United States? The graphs above show that Covington is safer than 55% of the cities in Virginia and 48% of the cities in the United States. These results are calculated by analyzing all cities in Virginia and across the US as a whole and determining how many areas have a lower crime rate than Covington. Overall, Covington is ranked below average compared to all other cities across the United States.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Covington

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Covington is 1 in 359
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Covington is 1 in 105
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Covington is 1 in 81
        Are you at risk of becoming a victim of crime in Covington, Virginia? If you reside in Covington, then there is a 1 in 359 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 105. These types of crime include burglary, petty theft, and theft of motor vehicles. Altogether, there is a 1 in 81 risk that you will become a victim of crime in Covington.

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

        Determining whether Covington is becoming less or more safe for its residents (per 100,000) is most easily done by comparing year-over-year crime rates. Covington violent crime rates have decreased by 13%. At the same time, property crime has decreased by 30% year over year. Total crimes for Covington has decreased by 27% in the same time frame.

        Covington police department

        Item Covington Virginia National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)288,827558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents4.73.23.3
        There are a total of 28 Covington police officers. This results in 4.7 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 44.9% greater than the Virginia average and 43.4% 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
        Clifton Forge, VA3,5344661,5442,010
        Callaghan, VA2472932,1222,414
        Selma, VA4953492,5272,876
        Iron Gate, VA3963722,6953,067
        Covington, VA5,6532799591,238

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        North Windham, ME5,65178916994
        Columbia Falls, MT5,6512622,0932,354
        Clarion, PA5,6503051,6131,917
        Media, PA5,658101537638
        Eaton, CO5,6461709331,102
        Covington, VA5,6532799591,238
        Source: The Covington, 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.