Safest Cities in Virginia 2024
Average Crime Rate
National Average
Combined Population
Overview: Safest Cities in Virginia
These 24 cities have the lowest crime rates in Virginia, based on 2024 FBI data. The safest cities average just 2,766 crimes per 100,000 residents — -1% below the national average of 2,752.
The top 3 safest cities are Blacksburg (VA, crime rate: 792), Salem (VA, crime rate: 1,550), and Staunton (VA, crime rate: 1,648).
Full Rankings
| # | City | State | Population | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate | Safety Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Blacksburg | VA | 45,734 | 791.5 | 76.5 | 715.0 | 85/100 |
| 2 | Salem | VA | 25,866 | 1,550.3 | 38.7 | 1,511.6 | 71/100 |
| 3 | Staunton | VA | 26,151 | 1,648.1 | 141.5 | 1,506.6 | 70/100 |
| 4 | Virginia Beach | VA | 455,155 | 1,733.3 | 93.4 | 1,639.9 | 68/100 |
| 5 | Leesburg | VA | 49,626 | 1,829.7 | 255.9 | 1,573.8 | 66/100 |
| 6 | Suffolk | VA | 103,506 | 1,941.9 | 371.0 | 1,570.9 | 64/100 |
| 7 | Harrisonburg | VA | 51,270 | 1,960.2 | 267.2 | 1,693.0 | 64/100 |
| 8 | Herndon | VA | 25,058 | 2,035.3 | 239.4 | 1,795.8 | 63/100 |
| 9 | Chesapeake | VA | 257,248 | 2,083.6 | 339.4 | 1,744.2 | 62/100 |
| 10 | Lynchburg | VA | 80,339 | 2,094.9 | 357.2 | 1,737.6 | 61/100 |
| 11 | Manassas | VA | 43,028 | 2,180.0 | 274.2 | 1,905.7 | 60/100 |
| 12 | Winchester | VA | 27,700 | 2,566.8 | 238.3 | 2,328.5 | 53/100 |
| 13 | Alexandria | VA | 155,153 | 2,859.1 | 219.1 | 2,640.0 | 48/100 |
| 14 | Hampton | VA | 138,100 | 3,129.6 | 247.7 | 2,882.0 | 43/100 |
| 15 | Newport News | VA | 183,563 | 3,152.1 | 736.0 | 2,416.1 | 42/100 |
| 16 | Danville | VA | 41,915 | 3,199.3 | 365.0 | 2,834.3 | 41/100 |
| 17 | Fairfax City | VA | 25,672 | 3,431.8 | 128.5 | 3,303.2 | 37/100 |
| 18 | Richmond | VA | 231,805 | 3,516.3 | 336.9 | 3,179.4 | 36/100 |
| 19 | Charlottesville | VA | 44,844 | 3,550.1 | 359.0 | 3,191.1 | 35/100 |
| 20 | Fredericksburg | VA | 29,474 | 3,674.4 | 603.9 | 3,070.5 | 33/100 |
| 21 | Petersburg | VA | 33,538 | 3,932.9 | 1,043.6 | 2,889.3 | 28/100 |
| 22 | Norfolk | VA | 230,460 | 4,242.0 | 469.5 | 3,772.5 | 22/100 |
| 23 | Portsmouth | VA | 97,156 | 4,613.2 | 752.4 | 3,860.8 | 16/100 |
| 24 | Roanoke City | VA | 97,027 | 4,676.0 | 620.5 | 4,055.6 | 15/100 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the safest city in Virginia?
Blacksburg, VA is the safest city in Virginia with a total crime rate of 791.5 per 100,000 residents in 2024.
How are the safest cities determined?
Cities are ranked by total crime rate (violent + property crime) per 100,000 residents using 2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report data. Only cities with 25,000+ residents are included.
What crime rate is considered safe?
Cities on this list average 2,766 crimes per 100,000 residents, well below the national average of 2,752. Generally, a rate under 2,000 per 100K is considered low.