Amherst County Crime & Safety

Amherst County, Virginia

Safety Score

39/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

High Crime

Total Crime Rate

1381.0

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

222.7

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

1158.3

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

39/100

Higher = safer

State avg 39/100

State Safety Rank

#64

of 131 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Amherst County, Virginia

Amherst County: Safer Than National Average

Amherst County carries a high safety score of 97.8. Its total crime rate of 1,381.0 per 100K is much better than the national average of 2,385.5.

Outperforming the Virginia Standard

With a 97.8 safety score, Amherst sits comfortably above the state average of 97.3. Three agencies provide comprehensive data to track the county's public safety performance.

Middle Ground for Regional Safety

Amherst's total crime rate of 1,381.0 is higher than Appomattox's 830.6 but much lower than Alleghany's 2,269.3. It serves as a relatively safe bridge between rural and urban Virginia.

Property Crime Outpaces Violent Incidents

Property crime accounts for 1,158.3 incidents per 100K, while violent crime is reported at 222.7. This violent crime rate is almost identical to the Virginia state average of 229.7.

Simple Steps for Continued Safety

Focusing on property security helps keep Amherst's crime rates on a downward trend. Locking vehicles and securing home entry points effectively reduces the risk of common thefts.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Amherst County, VA?

Amherst County has a total crime rate of 1381.0 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (222.7 per 100K) and property crimes (1158.3 per 100K).

Is Amherst County, VA safe?

Amherst County has a safety score of 39/100, rated "High Crime". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #64 out of 131 counties in Virginia for safety (1 = safest).

How does Amherst County crime compare to the Virginia average?

With a 97.8 safety score, Amherst sits comfortably above the state average of 97.3. Three agencies provide comprehensive data to track the county's public safety performance.

What types of crime are most common in Amherst County?

Property crime accounts for 1,158.3 incidents per 100K, while violent crime is reported at 222.7. This violent crime rate is almost identical to the Virginia state average of 229.7.

How is crime data measured and reported for Amherst County?

Crime data for Amherst County comes from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program. Local law enforcement agencies submit data on violent crimes (murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) and property crimes (burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft) to the FBI. Rates are calculated per 100,000 residents to allow fair comparison between counties of different sizes. The safety score (0-100) is derived from these rates, with higher scores indicating safer counties.

Why is Amherst County safer than the Virginia average?

Amherst County has a safety score of 39/100, which is above the Virginia average of 39/100. Factors such as local law enforcement effectiveness, community programs, socioeconomic conditions, and population density all contribute to lower crime rates in certain counties.