Safest cities in Virginia

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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.

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Buena Vista Population: 6,477 379 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 45 Property Crime / 100k: 333 chance of being a victim: 1 in 264

Buena Vista proudly holds the honor of being the safest city in Virginia. With only 379 crimes per 100,000 people, Buena Vista has a crime rate that is 93% lower than the Virginia average. This equates to an average of 0.07 crimes per day and a 1 in 264 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.

Lexington Population: 7,205 588 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 131 Property Crime / 100k: 457 chance of being a victim: 1 in 170

Known for its tight-knight community and safe environment, Lexington comes in at #2 on our list of the safest cities in Virginia with a crime rate of 588 crimes per 100,000 people. When you dig deeper into the numbers, this translates to: 52 counts of burglary, 392 counts of theft, 13 counts of vehicle theft, 104 counts of assault, 0 counts of robbery, 26 counts of rape and 0 counts of homicide. The commitment to safety in Lexington, makes it one of the safest and most livable areas in the state.

Bridgewater Population: 6,090 601 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 29 Property Crime / 100k: 572 chance of being a victim: 1 in 166

With a population of 6,090 and a total crime rate of 601 per 100,000 residents, Bridgewater is the 3rd safest city in Virginia. Exhibiting a total crime rate that is 93% 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.

Purcellville Population: 10,063 718 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 22 Property Crime / 100k: 695 chance of being a victim: 1 in 139

With many parks and recreational activities readily available, Purcellville 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 718, 91% lower than the Virginia average. This amounts to 0.18 crimes per day and a 1 in 139 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 Purcellville a highly desirable and safe place to call home.

Blacksburg Population: 44,395 792 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 77 Property Crime / 100k: 715 chance of being a victim: 1 in 126

Known for its friendly neighborhoods and proactive safety measures, Blacksburg consistently ranks high in safety. In Blacksburg, 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 792, which is 54% lower than the state average.

Manassas Park Population: 17,548 844 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 80 Property Crime / 100k: 764 chance of being a victim: 1 in 118

Manassas Park 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 844 crimes per 100,000 people, 84% lower than the Virginia average. Breaking down each category of crime, it comes out to: 55 reports of burglary, 579 reports of theft, 129 reports of vehicle theft, 49 reports of assault, 6 reports of robbery, 25 reports of rape and 0 reports of homicide.

Vienna Population: 16,532 910 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 62 Property Crime / 100k: 849 chance of being a victim: 1 in 110

Vienna ranks as the seventh safest city in Virginia and offers a peaceful retreat with minimal crime. With a 1 in 110 chance of becoming a victim of a crime and 0.41 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. Vienna’s commitment to safety makes it one of the safest places in Virginia.

Strasburg Population: 6,643 957 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 191 Property Crime / 100k: 766 chance of being a victim: 1 in 104

Recognized for sprawling open spaces, outdoor recreational opportunities, and a growing economy, Strasburg is the 8th safest city in Virginia. Continuously ranking as one of the safest cities in the state, the crime rate came in at 93% lower than the Virginia average, reporting a total of 957 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.

Poquoson Population: 12,121 977 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 313 Property Crime / 100k: 665 chance of being a victim: 1 in 102

Many safe cities implement comprehensive crime prevention programs that include educational initiatives, youth engagement activities, and public awareness campaigns. Poquoson 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 977 crimes per 100,000 residents, which is 87% lower than the state average.

Radford Population: 17,833 1,115 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 213 Property Crime / 100k: 902 chance of being a victim: 1 in 90

Completing the list as the 10th safest city in Virginia, is Radford. With a low rate of crime that included 98 burglaries, 799 thefts, 6 vehicle thefts, 144 assaults, 11 robberies, 57 rapes and 0 homicides, the overall crime rate was 83% 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	Buena Vista	6,477	45	333	379
2	Lexington	7,205	131	457	588
3	Bridgewater	6,090	29	572	601
4	Purcellville	10,063	22	695	718
5	Blacksburg	44,395	77	715	792
6	Manassas Park	17,548	80	764	844
7	Vienna	16,532	62	849	910
8	Strasburg	6,643	191	766	957
9	Poquoson	12,121	313	665	977
10	Radford	17,833	213	902	1,115
11	Dumfries	5,559	134	1,103	1,236
12	Smithfield	8,492	175	1,105	1,281
13	Warrenton	9,928	97	1,286	1,383
14	Williamsburg	15,034	199	1,205	1,404
15	Covington	5,653	181	1,286	1,467
16	Martinsville	12,646	387	1,131	1,518
17	Falls Church	14,309	101	1,520	1,622
18	Richlands	5,311	397	1,251	1,648
19	Staunton	24,660	141	1,507	1,648
20	Big Stone Gap	5,209	118	1,558	1,676
21	Abingdon	7,936	132	1,564	1,697
22	Virginia Beach	450,882	92	1,640	1,732
23	Bedford	6,599	191	1,569	1,760
24	Waynesboro	22,300	245	1,517	1,762
25	Culpeper	18,633	122	1,676	1,798
26	Orange	5,024	400	1,410	1,810
27	Leesburg	53,731	256	1,574	1,830
28	Front Royal	15,214	335	1,533	1,868
29	Vinton	8,102	149	1,765	1,914
30	Suffolk	91,383	371	1,571	1,942
31	Harrisonburg	53,558	267	1,693	1,960
32	Woodstock	5,247	134	1,855	1,989
33	Herndon	24,577	239	1,796	2,035
34	Chesapeake	242,647	339	1,744	2,084
35	Lynchburg	80,970	357	1,738	2,095
36	Manassas	41,038	274	1,906	2,180
37	Hopewell	22,500	381	2,040	2,421
38	Winchester	27,912	238	2,329	2,567
39	Marion	5,646	287	2,331	2,618
40	Ashland	7,819	595	2,100	2,695
41	Wytheville	7,925	61	2,728	2,789
42	Christiansburg	22,482	224	2,597	2,821
43	Alexandria	158,309	219	2,640	2,859
44	Pulaski	8,744	567	2,325	2,892
45	South Boston	7,676	464	2,514	2,978
46	Franklin	8,015	461	2,539	2,999
47	Hampton	135,169	248	2,882	3,130
48	Newport News	179,582	736	2,416	3,152
49	Danville	40,668	365	2,834	3,199
50	Bristol	17,059	435	3,028	3,463

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.