Prince William County Crime & Safety

Prince William County, Virginia

Safety Score

31/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

High Crime

Total Crime Rate

1650.6

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

282.9

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

1367.7

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

31/100

Higher = safer

State avg 39/100

State Safety Rank

#83

of 131 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Prince William County, Virginia

Prince William is safer than national averages

Prince William County reports a total crime rate of 1,650.6 per 100,000, staying well below the national average of 2,385.5. This contributes to a respectable safety score of 97.4. Despite its large population, the county maintains a lower crime profile than many national peers.

Matching the Virginia safety standard

The county's safety score of 97.4 is nearly identical to the Virginia average of 97.3. While its total crime rate of 1,650.6 is slightly lower than the state average of 1,728.8, it faces more challenges than smaller rural counties. Six different reporting agencies monitor this high-activity area.

Comparison with surrounding Virginia counties

Prince William's crime rate of 1,650.6 is higher than Prince George's 1,412.0. However, it is significantly safer than Richmond City, where the crime rate surges to 3,820.0. The county serves as a relatively safe suburban hub between more rural areas and major cities.

Property crime vs. violent crime trends

The violent crime rate is 282.9 per 100,000, which is slightly above the state average of 229.7. Property crime is the primary concern, with a rate of 1,367.7 per 100,000 residents. Most interactions with the justice system involve theft or property damage rather than violence.

Securing your Prince William home

Because property crime accounts for 1,367.7 incidents per 100,000, home security should be a priority. Installing smart locks and window sensors can provide an extra layer of protection for suburban households. Vigilance and community watch programs are highly effective in neighborhoods of this size.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Prince William County, VA?

Prince William County has a total crime rate of 1650.6 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (282.9 per 100K) and property crimes (1367.7 per 100K).

Is Prince William County, VA safe?

Prince William County has a safety score of 31/100, rated "High Crime". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #83 out of 131 counties in Virginia for safety (1 = safest).

How does Prince William County crime compare to the Virginia average?

What types of crime are most common in Prince William County?

How is crime data measured and reported for Prince William County?

Crime data for Prince William 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 Prince William County?

Prince William County has a safety score of 31/100, 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.