Violent
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Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI 2024 crime data, Lynchburg, VA has a Safety Score of 38/100 — higher crime than 62% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 2,094.9 per 100,000 residents, ranking #1,853 of 2,971 US cities and #20 of 38 in Virginia.
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Lynchburg, Virginia Safe?
Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Lynchburg is a historic city known for its role in the Civil War. It has a population of around 80,000, with a notable presence of higher education institutions.
Lynchburg has a safety score of 38/100 (Higher Crime Than Average). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 2,094.9 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Lynchburg ranks #20 out of 38 cities in Virginia and #1853 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 38th percentile for safety — with higher crime than 62% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in Lynchburg is murder, at 11.2 per 100K — 1.8x the national average. Conversely, robbery is relatively low at just 0.4x the national rate.
Year over year, Lynchburg's total crime rate decreased by 10.6%, with violent crime rising 6.8%.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Lynchburg Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 287 | 357.2 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 9 | 11.2 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 42 | 52.3 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 30 | 37.3 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 206 | 256.4 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 1,396 | 1,737.6 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 168 | 209.1 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 1,018 | 1,267.1 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 210 | 261.4 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Lynchburg vs Virginia Average
How does Lynchburg's crime rate compare to the Virginia state average?
| Metric | Lynchburg | Virginia Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 357.2 | 338.9 | +5.4% |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,737.6 | 2,386.6 | -27.2% |
| Murder Rate | 11.2 | 9.8 | +14.2% |
| Total Crime Rate | 2,094.9 | 2,725.5 | -23.1% |
Lynchburg Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Lynchburg, Virginia.
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 80,339 | 2,094.9 | 357.2 | 1,737.6 |
| 2023 | 79,509 | 2,343.1 | 334.6 | 2,008.6 |
| 2022 | 79,421 | 2,824.2 | 360.1 | 2,464.1 |
| 2021 | 82,088 | 2,426.7 | 406.9 | 2,019.8 |
| 2020 | 82,871 | 2,076.7 | 442.9 | 1,633.9 |
| 2019 | 82,512 | 2,569.3 | 385.4 | 2,183.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lynchburg, Virginia safe?
Lynchburg has a safety score of 38/100, meaning it has less crime than about 38% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 2,094.9 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Lynchburg is higher-crime than most US cities.
What is the crime rate in Lynchburg, Virginia?
According to FBI data for 2024, Lynchburg has a violent crime rate of 357.2 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 1,737.6 per 100,000 residents.
How does Lynchburg compare to the national average?
Lynchburg's total crime rate of 2,094.9 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The data covers 80,339 residents.
What types of crime are most common in Lynchburg?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Lynchburg include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Lynchburg safe to visit?
Like any city, Lynchburg has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 38/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.