A+
67%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
72%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
66%
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 peopleLexington/100k peopleVirginia/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime58n/a (estimate)7601,9302,324
Murder0n/a0.07.36.3
Rape3n/a39.330.240.0
Robbery1n/a13.138.466.1
Assault4n/a52.4158.1268.2
Violent crime8n/a (estimate)105234370
Burglary5n/a65.5124.6269.8
Theft44n/a576.81,410.41,401.9
Vehicle theft1n/a13.1160.7282.7
Property crime50n/a (estimate)6551,6961,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Lexington, VA

Crime can be categorized into two primary types: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes encompass offenses such as murder, rape, robbery, and assault, whereas property crimes involve acts like burglary, theft, and vehicle theft. The overall crime rate in Lexington is 67.3% lower than the national average. Specifically, there were 8 violent crimes reported in Lexington, equivalent to 105 per 100,000 residents, which is lower than the national average by 71.6%. Additionally, Lexington recorded 50 property crimes, amounting to 655 per 100,000 people, lower than the national average by 66.5%.

Lexington has a crime rate of 760, which is considerably less than the national average of 2324. This results in Lexington being one of the safest places to live across the United States. The crime rate is based on the total number of violent and property crimes per 100,000 people.

Lexington distinguishes itself with one of the lowest violent crime rates in the U.S., reporting a mere 105 violent crimes per 100,000 people. This achievement firmly establishes Lexington among the safest cities in the nation, rendering it an alluring choice for those seeking a new place to call home.

During the most recently reported crime year, Lexington experienced a total of 0 reported murders. This statistic paints it as a beacon of security when it comes to severe violent crimes. Such an achievement not only instills a profound sense of security for its residents but also sets a high standard for other communities striving to create similarly secure environments. It underscores the area as a place where safety is a top priority, enhancing its appeal as a desirable location to live and thrive.

Property crime rates per 100,000 people have declined steadily since 1990, but did see a slight increase in recent years. Based on the most recent crime data, Lexington has a property crime rate of 655 crimes per 100,000 people, which is far below the national average of 1954. This is a good indicator that Lexington is a safe place to live.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Lexington?

AreaVibes surveyed 7 local residents in Lexington to gauge the safety of the area. Based on the results, 100% of people answered that there was very little crime in Lexington and that they felt very comfortable walking alone at night. Another 0% 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 Lexington a Safe Place to Live?

Determining whether Lexington is a place to live may not always yield a simple answer, given the city's varying safety levels across different areas. Nonetheless, comprehending the city's overall crime rate can be a valuable asset. In broad terms, Lexington has an overall crime rate that is 67% lower than the national average. When we take a look at crime on a daily basis, this translates into 0.16 daily occurrences, comprising 0.02 violent crimes and 0.14 property crimes. Scrutinizing these statistics provides a foundation for a more informed assessment of the suitability of Lexington as a potential place to establish residency.

Has Crime in Lexington Increased Since Last Year?

In the most recent crime report, year-over-year crime rates in Lexington has didn't change by 0%. Examining the change in crime rates from one year to the next provides valuable insights into the evolving safety landscape of Lexington, 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 166.7%, while property crime has didn't change by 9.1%. This comprehensive analysis offers potential residents essential information for making informed decisions about whether or not Lexington is a safe place to live.

Potential Causes for Crime in Lexington

The economic well-being of a city's residents plays a significant role in crime rates. High poverty rates and income inequality can lead to increased crime stats as individuals may resort to illegal activities to meet their basic needs. While lower rates could lead to a lower Lexington crime rate. The poverty level in Lexington is 22.1%, while the national average is 15.1%.

Highly populated regions typically encompass expansive urban hubs teeming with diverse economic prospects. Within these areas, income inequality can be exacerbated, giving rise to enclaves of poverty amid affluence. Communities marked by economic disparities may contend with heightened property crimes, and in certain instances, violent crimes. Conversely, regions characterized by low population density often exhibit lower Lexington crime rates. For instance, in Lexington, the population density stands at 2882.9 people per square mile, diverging from the national average of 90.6 people per square mile.

Lexington has a ratio of police officers and civilians per 1,000 residents that differs from the national norm, with 2.55 officers and civilians per 1,000 residents, compared to 3.25 nationwide. Crime rates are profoundly influenced by the effectiveness of law enforcement and community policing endeavors. A resilient and cooperative partnership between law enforcement agencies and the community can serve as a deterrent to criminal activities, ultimately enhancing safety. The efficacy of law enforcement extends beyond mere numbers and extends into the realm of community policing strategies, emphasizing the cultivation of trust and collaboration between officers and the community. It is not merely a matter of quantity but the quality of engagement with the community that matters most.

Lexington crime map



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

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      Crime Quick Facts

      • Lexington crime rates are 67% lower than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Lexington are 72% lower than the national average
      • In Lexington you have a 1 in 132 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Lexington is safer than 76% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Lexington has decreased by 4%

      Lexington, VA Crime Quiz

         

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        Daily Crime In Lexington (per 100,000 people)

        The bar chart above reveals the rate of daily crimes in Lexington for every 100,000 residents. The Lexington total amount of daily crime is 2.54 times less than the Virginia average and 3.06 times less than than that of the nation. As for violent crimes, the daily average in Lexington, is 2.23 times less than the Virginia average, and it is 3.53 times less than the national average. The statistics for property crimes show that Lexington has a daily crime average that is 2.59 times less than the Virginia average and 2.98 times less than the daily national rate.

        How Safe is Lexington (higher is better)

        Compared to the other cities in Virginia and all other cities across the US, is Lexington safe? From the gauges displayed above, you will notice that Lexington is safer than 83% of other cities in the state of Virginia. In addition, Lexington is safer than 76% of cities in the entire United States. To achieve these results, all Virginia and United States cities were analyzed to determine how many locations had a lower crime rate than Lexington. By studying this data, it was possible to determine that Lexington is above average in safety when compared with other United States cities.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Lexington

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Lexington is 1 in 954
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Lexington is 1 in 153
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Lexington is 1 in 132
        Are you at risk of becoming a victim of crime in Lexington, Virginia? If you reside in Lexington, then there is a 1 in 954 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 153. These types of crime include burglary, petty theft, and theft of motor vehicles. Altogether, there is a 1 in 132 risk that you will become a victim of crime in Lexington.

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

        The year over year change in crime per 100,000 people helps to understand whether crime in Lexington, VA is on the rise or declining. The violent crime rate in Lexington has increased by 156%, while the property crime rate in Lexington has decreased by 13% year over year. Summing up the numbers, Lexington has decreased by 4% with regards to total crimes year over year.

        Lexington police department

        Item Lexington Virginia National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)188,827558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents2.53.23.3
        There are a total of 18 Lexington police officers. This results in 2.5 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 20.9% less than the Virginia average and 21.7% 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
        East Lexington, VA1,959100723823
        Buena Vista, VA6,477151757908
        Glasgow, VA1,3061279221,050
        Goshen, VA3363692,6713,040
        Lexington, VA7,205105655760

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Viola, NY7,205198795993
        Sky Lake, FL7,2042871,7342,021
        Richland, MS7,2031381,3941,532
        Batesville, MS7,2003452,8323,178
        Seward, NE7,21078572650
        Lexington, VA7,205105655760
        Source: The Lexington, 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.