Fairfax County Crime & Safety

Fairfax County, Virginia

Safety Score

30/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

High Crime

Total Crime Rate

1654.8

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

118.9

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

1535.9

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

30/100

Higher = safer

State avg 39/100

State Safety Rank

#84

of 131 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Fairfax County, Virginia

Fairfax County: A Large and Safe Community

Fairfax County achieves a safety score of 97.4, outperforming national norms for large metropolitan areas. Its total crime rate of 1,654.8 per 100,000 is about 30% lower than the national average of 2,385.5. Six reporting agencies provide a comprehensive and reliable look at local safety.

Meeting Virginia’s High Safety Standards

The county's total crime rate of 1,654.8 per 100,000 is lower than the Virginia state average of 1,728.8. Its safety score of 97.4 is nearly identical to the state average of 97.3. For a county of its size, Fairfax remains remarkably aligned with the state's secure reputation.

Safety Comparisons in Northern Virginia

Fairfax County's crime rate of 1,654.8 is lower than that of its neighbor, Falls Church city, which sits at 1,790.6. It also maintains a much lower rate than Fairfax city’s 2,470.9. These numbers make it one of the safest large-scale jurisdictions in the entire Mid-Atlantic region.

Low Violent Crime Defines the County

Fairfax County reports a very low violent crime rate of 118.9 per 100,000, compared to the national average of 369.8. Property crime is also below the national average, sitting at 1,535.9. Residents benefit from a safety profile that prioritizes personal security.

Smart Security for Suburban Life

With property crime at 1,535.9 per 100,000, basic home precautions are still worth the effort. Consider alarm systems and motion sensors to protect against opportunistic theft in residential areas. Community safety programs remain a key asset in maintaining these favorable stats.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Fairfax County, VA?

Fairfax County has a total crime rate of 1654.8 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (118.9 per 100K) and property crimes (1535.9 per 100K).

Is Fairfax County, VA safe?

Fairfax County has a safety score of 30/100, rated "High Crime". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #84 out of 131 counties in Virginia for safety (1 = safest).

How does Fairfax County crime compare to the Virginia average?

What types of crime are most common in Fairfax County?

How is crime data measured and reported for Fairfax County?

Crime data for Fairfax 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.

What is being done about crime in Fairfax County?

Fairfax County has a safety score of 30/100, which is below the Virginia average of 39/100. Many counties with above-average crime rates invest in community policing, crime prevention programs, neighborhood watch initiatives, and social services aimed at reducing crime over time.