Washington County Crime & Safety

Washington County, Virginia

Safety Score

31/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

High Crime

Total Crime Rate

1626.3

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

150.0

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

1476.3

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

31/100

Higher = safer

State avg 39/100

State Safety Rank

#81

of 131 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Washington County, Virginia

Washington County Surpasses National Standards

Washington County earns a high safety score of 97.4, placing it well above the national norm. The total crime rate of 1,626.3 per 100,000 is significantly lower than the U.S. average of 2,385.5.

Strong Standing in the Commonwealth

The county's total crime rate of 1,626.3 is lower than the Virginia state average of 1,728.8. Its safety score of 97.4 also slightly exceeds the state average of 97.3, indicating a very safe region.

Comparing Rates Across the Region

Washington County is safer than neighboring Tazewell, which reports a higher crime rate of 1,809.7 per 100,000. Seven reporting agencies work together to keep these numbers consistently low for the community.

Breaking Down Property and Violent Crimes

Property crimes make up the bulk of local incidents at 1,476.3 per 100,000 residents. In contrast, violent crime is relatively rare, occurring at a rate of 150.0 per 100,000, which is below the state average.

Proactive Security for Peace of Mind

Since property crime is the primary concern, simple deterrents like alarm systems are highly effective. Keeping valuables out of sight helps maintain the county’s high safety standards.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Washington County, VA?

Washington County has a total crime rate of 1626.3 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (150.0 per 100K) and property crimes (1476.3 per 100K).

Is Washington County, VA safe?

Washington 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 #81 out of 131 counties in Virginia for safety (1 = safest).

How does Washington County crime compare to the Virginia average?

The county's total crime rate of 1,626.3 is lower than the Virginia state average of 1,728.8. Its safety score of 97.4 also slightly exceeds the state average of 97.3, indicating a very safe region.

What types of crime are most common in Washington County?

How is crime data measured and reported for Washington County?

Crime data for Washington 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 Washington County?

Washington 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.