Violent
Property
Total
Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI 2024 crime data, Waynesboro, VA has a Safety Score of 48/100 — higher crime than 52% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 1,761.5 per 100,000 residents, ranking #1,560 of 2,971 US cities and #12 of 38 in Virginia.
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Waynesboro, Virginia Safe?
Waynesboro, nestled in the Shenandoah Valley, is a city of around 15,000 residents. It's home to the South River, once a major industrial waterway.
Waynesboro has a safety score of 48/100 (Higher Crime Than Average). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 1,761.5 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Waynesboro ranks #12 out of 38 cities in Virginia and #1560 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 48th percentile for safety — with higher crime than 52% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in Waynesboro is murder, at 8.5 per 100K — 1.4x the national average. Conversely, robbery is relatively low at just 0.3x the national rate.
Year over year, Waynesboro's total crime rate decreased by 19.7%, with violent crime rising 6.8%.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Waynesboro Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 58 | 245.0 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 2 | 8.5 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 13 | 54.9 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 6 | 25.4 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 37 | 156.3 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 359 | 1,516.5 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 40 | 169.0 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 275 | 1,161.7 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 44 | 185.9 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Waynesboro vs Virginia Average
How does Waynesboro's crime rate compare to the Virginia state average?
| Metric | Waynesboro | Virginia Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 245.0 | 338.9 | -27.7% |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,516.5 | 2,386.6 | -36.5% |
| Murder Rate | 8.5 | 9.8 | -13.9% |
| Total Crime Rate | 1,761.5 | 2,725.5 | -35.4% |
Waynesboro Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Waynesboro, Virginia.
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 23,673 | 1,761.5 | 245.0 | 1,516.5 |
| 2023 | 23,098 | 2,195.0 | 229.5 | 1,965.5 |
| 2022 | 22,903 | 2,095.8 | 218.3 | 1,877.5 |
| 2021 | 22,896 | 2,061.5 | 270.8 | 1,790.7 |
| 2020 | 22,801 | 2,363.9 | 250.0 | 2,113.9 |
| 2019 | 22,711 | 2,346.9 | 255.4 | 2,091.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Waynesboro, Virginia safe?
Waynesboro has a safety score of 48/100, meaning it has less crime than about 48% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 1,761.5 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Waynesboro is higher-crime than most US cities.
What is the crime rate in Waynesboro, Virginia?
According to FBI data for 2024, Waynesboro has a violent crime rate of 245.0 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 1,516.5 per 100,000 residents.
How does Waynesboro compare to the national average?
Waynesboro's total crime rate of 1,761.5 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The data covers 23,673 residents.
What types of crime are most common in Waynesboro?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Waynesboro include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Waynesboro safe to visit?
Like any city, Waynesboro has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 48/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.