Southampton County Crime & Safety

Southampton County, Virginia

Safety Score

44/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

Average

Total Crime Rate

1244.2

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

133.3

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

1110.9

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

44/100

Higher = safer

State avg 39/100

State Safety Rank

#58

of 131 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Southampton County, Virginia

Southampton County ranks among the nation's safest

Southampton County boasts an exceptional safety score of 98.0, placing it far above the average American community. The total crime rate of 1,244.2 per 100,000 residents is roughly half the national average of 2,385.5. Residents here enjoy a significantly lower risk profile than most of the country.

Leading the Commonwealth in safety

The county's safety score of 98.0 exceeds the Virginia state average of 97.3. Its total crime rate of 1,244.2 per 100,000 is nearly 500 points lower than the state average of 1,728.8. This performance makes Southampton one of the more secure rural districts in Virginia.

Outperforming neighboring Sussex County

Southampton County is notably safer than nearby Sussex County, which reports a higher crime rate of 1,619.7 per 100,000. While Surry County to the north is even lower at 794.4, Southampton remains a regional leader in public safety. The county provides a stable environment compared to the higher-traffic areas in the region.

Minimal violent crime reported locally

Violent crime is remarkably rare in Southampton County, with only 133.3 incidents per 100,000 people compared to the national rate of 369.8. Property crime constitutes the bulk of local activity at 1,110.9 per 100,000. These statistics suggest that most residents will rarely encounter serious criminal activity.

Secure your property in Southampton

Property crime represents nearly 90% of the reported incidents in the county, making home security a smart investment. Installing motion-sensor lights and alarm systems can further deter opportunistic thefts. Vigilance and community awareness remain the best tools for keeping these numbers low.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Southampton County, VA?

Southampton County has a total crime rate of 1244.2 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (133.3 per 100K) and property crimes (1110.9 per 100K).

Is Southampton County, VA safe?

Southampton County has a safety score of 44/100, rated "Average". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #58 out of 131 counties in Virginia for safety (1 = safest).

How does Southampton County crime compare to the Virginia average?

What types of crime are most common in Southampton County?

How is crime data measured and reported for Southampton County?

Crime data for Southampton 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.

Why is Southampton County safer than the Virginia average?

Southampton County has a safety score of 44/100, which is above the Virginia average of 39/100. Factors such as local law enforcement effectiveness, community programs, socioeconomic conditions, and population density all contribute to lower crime rates in certain counties.