Bedford County Crime & Safety

Bedford County, Virginia

Safety Score

53/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

Average

Total Crime Rate

1061.9

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

121.6

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

940.3

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

53/100

Higher = safer

State avg 39/100

State Safety Rank

#41

of 131 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Bedford County, Virginia

Bedford County maintains a secure national standing

Bedford County's total crime rate of 1061.9 per 100,000 residents is significantly lower than the national average of 2,385.5. This performance earns the county a robust safety score of 98.3.

Outperforming Virginia's average safety metrics

The county's safety score of 98.3 sits comfortably above the Virginia state average of 97.3. Its total crime rate remains 38% lower than the state's average of 1728.8.

Consistent safety across local reporting

Three reporting agencies coordinate to keep Bedford County's crime rate at 1061.9, which is competitive with the safest counties in the region. Violent crime is particularly low here compared to state benchmarks.

Violent crime remains exceptionally rare

Bedford County reports only 121.6 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, nearly three times lower than the national average of 369.8. Property crime is the main contributor to local stats at 940.3.

Prioritizing property security at home

With property crime making up the bulk of local incidents, residents should focus on securing outbuildings and vehicles. Visible security systems and adequate lighting serve as effective deterrents.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Bedford County, VA?

Bedford County has a total crime rate of 1061.9 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (121.6 per 100K) and property crimes (940.3 per 100K).

Is Bedford County, VA safe?

Bedford County has a safety score of 53/100, rated "Average". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #41 out of 131 counties in Virginia for safety (1 = safest).

How does Bedford County crime compare to the Virginia average?

The county's safety score of 98.3 sits comfortably above the Virginia state average of 97.3. Its total crime rate remains 38% lower than the state's average of 1728.8.

What types of crime are most common in Bedford County?

Bedford County reports only 121.6 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, nearly three times lower than the national average of 369.8. Property crime is the main contributor to local stats at 940.3.

How is crime data measured and reported for Bedford County?

Crime data for Bedford 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 Bedford County safer than the Virginia average?

Bedford County has a safety score of 53/100, 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.