Roanoke city Crime & Safety

Roanoke city, Virginia

Safety Score

2/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

High Crime

Total Crime Rate

4886.4

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

601.7

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

4284.7

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

2/100

Higher = safer

State avg 39/100

State Safety Rank

#128

of 131 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Roanoke city, Virginia

Urban Density Impacts City Safety Data

Roanoke city reports a total crime rate of 4886.4 per 100K, which is more than double the national average of 2,385.5. Despite these higher incident numbers, the city maintains a resilient safety score of 92.3 out of 100.

Evaluating Safety Among Virginia Cities

The city's safety score of 92.3 sits below the Virginia state average of 97.3. This highlights a distinct safety profile compared to the broader Commonwealth where total crime rates average a much lower 1728.8 per 100K.

A Comparison with Surrounding Roanoke County

Roanoke city's crime rate of 4886.4 per 100K is significantly higher than neighboring Roanoke County's 1577.8. This disparity reflects the denser urban environment of the independent city compared to its suburban surroundings.

Property Incidents Outpace Violent Crimes

Property crime dominates the landscape at 4284.7 per 100K, while violent crime remains lower at 601.7. These figures mean residents are far more likely to experience theft or vandalism than personal harm.

Securing Your Urban Residence

With property crimes accounting for the vast majority of local incidents, securing your residence is a proactive first step. Simple measures like smart doorbells and motion lighting effectively deter opportunistic theft.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Roanoke city, VA?

Roanoke city has a total crime rate of 4886.4 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (601.7 per 100K) and property crimes (4284.7 per 100K).

Is Roanoke city, VA safe?

Roanoke city has a safety score of 2/100, rated "High Crime". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #128 out of 131 counties in Virginia for safety (1 = safest).

How does Roanoke city crime compare to the Virginia average?

What types of crime are most common in Roanoke city?

How is crime data measured and reported for Roanoke city?

Crime data for Roanoke city 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 Roanoke city?

Roanoke city has a safety score of 2/100, 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.