Violent
Property
Total
Salem, VA Crime Rate & Safety
FBI-verified crime statistics for 2024 | Population: 25,866
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Salem, Virginia Safe?
Salem has a safety score of 71/100 (Safer Than Average). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 1,550.3 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Salem ranks #8 out of 38 cities in Virginia and #1346 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 55th percentile for safety — safer than 55% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in Salem is murder, at 7.7 per 100K — 1.2x the national average. Conversely, robbery is relatively low at just 0.0x the national rate.
Year over year, Salem's total crime rate decreased by 20.4%, with violent crime declining 55%.
Salem Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 10 | 38.7 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 2 | 7.7 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 4 | 15.5 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 0 | 0.0 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 4 | 15.5 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 391 | 1,511.6 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 21 | 81.2 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 331 | 1,279.7 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 39 | 150.8 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Salem vs Virginia Average
How does Salem's crime rate compare to the Virginia state average?
| Metric | Salem | Virginia Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 38.7 | 338.9 | -88.6% |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,511.6 | 2,386.6 | -36.7% |
| Murder Rate | 7.7 | 9.8 | -21.2% |
| Total Crime Rate | 1,550.3 | 2,725.5 | -43.1% |
Salem Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Salem, Virginia.
| Year | Population | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 25,866 | 1,550.3 | 38.7 | 1,511.6 |
| 2023 | 25,606 | 1,948.8 | 85.9 | 1,862.8 |
| 2022 | 25,460 | 1,853.9 | 125.7 | 1,728.2 |
| 2021 | 25,354 | 1,999.7 | 94.7 | 1,905.0 |
| 2020 | 25,326 | 1,954.5 | 51.3 | 1,903.2 |
| 2019 | 25,590 | 2,274.3 | 89.9 | 2,184.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Salem, Virginia safe?
Salem has a safety score of 71/100. With a total crime rate of 1,550.3 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Salem is relatively safe compared to the national average.
What is the crime rate in Salem, Virginia?
According to FBI data for 2024, Salem has a violent crime rate of 38.7 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 1,511.6 per 100,000 residents.
How does Salem compare to the national average?
Salem's total crime rate of 1,550.3 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The city has a population of 25,866.
What types of crime are most common in Salem?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Salem include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Salem safe to visit?
Like any city, Salem has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 71/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.