Smyth County Crime & Safety

Smyth County, Virginia

Safety Score

39/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

High Crime

Total Crime Rate

1399.4

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

167.8

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

1231.6

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

39/100

Higher = safer

State avg 39/100

State Safety Rank

#66

of 131 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Smyth County, Virginia

Smyth County outperforms national safety benchmarks

Smyth County maintains a total crime rate of 1,399.4 per 100,000 residents, which sits significantly lower than the national average of 2,385.5. The county earns an impressive safety score of 97.8 out of 100. This indicates a high level of security relative to other communities across the United States.

Strong safety standing in Virginia

With a safety score of 97.8, Smyth County ranks above the Virginia state average of 97.3. Its total crime rate of 1,399.4 per 100,000 is also notably lower than the state average of 1,728.8. These figures demonstrate that the county remains a safer-than-average option within the Commonwealth.

Favorable comparisons to regional averages

Smyth County's crime rate of 1,399.4 is much lower than the national average and holds its own against Virginia's regional trends. While neighboring counties vary, Smyth’s safety score remains consistently high. The data indicates that local residents face fewer reported crimes than many of their urban counterparts.

Low violent crime defines local safety

Violent crime in Smyth County occurs at a rate of 167.8 per 100,000, which is less than half the national rate of 369.8. Property crime accounts for the majority of local incidents at 1,231.6 per 100,000 residents. Most interactions with the justice system involve property issues rather than physical confrontations.

Prioritizing property security in Smyth

Since property crimes make up over 87% of local reports, residents should focus on basic home security measures. Simple steps like outdoor lighting and secure locks address the most common risks in the county. Staying informed about local trends helps maintain this community's strong safety profile.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Smyth County, VA?

Smyth County has a total crime rate of 1399.4 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (167.8 per 100K) and property crimes (1231.6 per 100K).

Is Smyth County, VA safe?

Smyth County has a safety score of 39/100, rated "High Crime". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #66 out of 131 counties in Virginia for safety (1 = safest).

How does Smyth County crime compare to the Virginia average?

What types of crime are most common in Smyth County?

How is crime data measured and reported for Smyth County?

Crime data for Smyth 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 Smyth County?

Smyth County has a safety score of 39/100, 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.