Salem city Crime & Safety

Salem city, Virginia

Safety Score

25/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

High Crime

Total Crime Rate

1872.1

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

126.1

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

1746.0

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

25/100

Higher = safer

State avg 39/100

State Safety Rank

#96

of 131 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Salem city, Virginia

Salem City maintains a Solid Record

Salem city maintains a total crime rate of 1872.1 per 100K, which is lower than the national average of 2,385.5. The city earns a high safety score of 97.0 based on these metrics.

Stable Security within the Commonwealth

The city's safety score of 97.0 is just below the Virginia state average of 97.3. While safe by national standards, it falls slightly behind the Commonwealth's exceptionally high safety benchmark.

Safer Alternative to Nearby Cities

Salem is significantly safer than neighboring Roanoke city, where the crime rate is 4886.4 per 100K. However, it tracks slightly higher than Roanoke County's rate of 1577.8.

Focus on Property Crime Reduction

Violent crime is very low at 126.1 per 100K, well below the state average of 229.7. Property crime represents the vast majority of local incidents at 1746.0 per 100K.

Protecting Your Salem Household

Because property crime is the primary concern in Salem, home security should be a priority for residents. Modern security tools help deter theft and keep these rates trending downward.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Salem city, VA?

Salem city has a total crime rate of 1872.1 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (126.1 per 100K) and property crimes (1746.0 per 100K).

Is Salem city, VA safe?

Salem city has a safety score of 25/100, rated "High Crime". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #96 out of 131 counties in Virginia for safety (1 = safest).

How does Salem city crime compare to the Virginia average?

The city's safety score of 97.0 is just below the Virginia state average of 97.3. While safe by national standards, it falls slightly behind the Commonwealth's exceptionally high safety benchmark.

What types of crime are most common in Salem city?

Violent crime is very low at 126.1 per 100K, well below the state average of 229.7. Property crime represents the vast majority of local incidents at 1746.0 per 100K.

How is crime data measured and reported for Salem city?

Crime data for Salem 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 Salem city?

Salem city has a safety score of 25/100, 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.