The 20 Safest Places to Live in Virginia
People consider a variety of factors when choosing the best place for them to call home. While some people prioritize work opportunities or finding an area with excellent schools. Others focus more on the amenities, facilities, and leisure activities of an area. Another factor when deciding if somewhere is a good place to live is the crime rates, as these indicate whether an area is generally safe. Like all states, Virginia has places that are safer to live than others. If you are looking for somewhere to live in this city, then here are the 20 safest places to live in Virginia based on the most recent FBI data.
20. Virginia Beach
Just making it into the list of the 20 safest places to live in Virginia is Virginia Beach. This city in Virginia has a population of more than 451 thousand people. Despite the high population, the crime rates are surprisingly low. According to the most recent statistics, there are just 1,723 property crimes and 117 violent crimes per one hundred thousand residents annually. Other positive features of this city are the excellent public schools, the range of family activities, the vibrant nightlife, and the community’s diversity.
19. Leesburg
If safety is one of your primary concerns, then Leesburg is an area worth considering, and there are plenty of other reasons that make this a fantastic area in which to live. Leesburg is a suburb of Washington, D.C., and it has a population of more than 52 thousand people. It has a dense suburban feel, and the community is diverse. The plentiful employment opportunities in various sectors mean that this area is popular with professionals. It is also popular with families thanks to the outstanding schools and the variety of family activities to enjoy. On the downside, the cost of living in Leesburg is relatively high.
18. Hampton
In the last reporting year, the 134 thousand Hampton residents reported only 235 violent and 554 property crimes per one hundred thousand residents. Like many of the best places to live, the city’s property prices are high, as is the cost of living. However, there are many pros that outweigh these cons. It is a great place to live for people who want a busy lifestyle as there is a vibrant nightlife with plenty of bars and restaurants. There is also a diverse community and a wide range of outdoor activities to enjoy.
17. Orange
One of the many positive features of living in Orange is low crime rates. The five thousand residents of this location have a low risk of becoming victims of crime. There were only 179 violent crimes and 976 property crimes per one hundred thousand residents in the last year. Orange is a small town in Orange County, Virginia. There is a wonderful sense of community in this town, and the schools are above average.
16. Fairfax
Fairfax is in Fairfax City County, and it has a population of almost 24 thousand people. According to Niche, it is a suburb of Washington D.C. that has a dense suburban feel. It is known for being a very safe area to live with low rates of both property and violent crimes. Other good points about this area are the above-average schools, the vibrant nightlife, the community’s diversity, and the range of activities and amenities in the area. As with many of the best places to live, Fairfax’s downsides are the high property prices and cost of living.
15. Big Stone Gap
Easily making it onto the list of the safest places to live in Virginia is Big Stone Gap, which has just over five thousand residents. There were 57 violent crimes and 2,109 property crimes per one hundred thousand residents in the last year. Located in Wise County, Big Stone Gap has a population of more than five thousand residents, and the area has a suburban rural mixed feel. It is a good place to live for people who want to enjoy a quieter lifestyle in nice surroundings but within easy traveling distance of the local towns and cities’ amnesties and job opportunities. However, the public transport links are not great, so it is best if you have your own car for commuting. Other positive features are the highly-rated schools and the affordable cost of living.
14. Covington
The risks of becoming a victim of crime in Covington are relatively low, according to the statistics from the last reporting year. Per one hundred thousand residents, there were 73 violent crimes and 1,958 property crimes. Covington is an Independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia that is surrounded by Alleghany County. Although the low crime rates are one of this town’s best features, there are other positives to living in this area. For example, the cost of living is affordable, and there are plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy.
13. Williamsburg
Williamsburg has a population of over 15 thousand residents, and violent crimes are low at just 131 per one hundred thousand people. Property crimes are also reasonably low, with only 1,270 crimes per one hundred thousand people in the last reporting year. Williamsburg is a suburb of Newport News in Williamsburg County, and this suburb has a dense suburban feel. It is a great place for families to live due to outstanding schools and a wide range of family activities. This diverse community also enjoys a vibrant nightlife and good transport links. The main negatives of this area are the high property prices and the cost of living.
12. Abingdon
Abingdon has a population of almost eight thousand residents, and it has a dense suburban feel. One of the many great features of this area is the safety levels. There were just 75 violent crimes in the last reporting year and 1,622 property crimes reported per one hundred thousand residents. In addition to this suburb’s safety, there are many other reasons to consider making Abingdon your home. There are plenty of things for people of all ages to enjoy, there are above-average schools, and there are plenty of outdoor spaces to enjoy.
11. Herndon
Many people flock to Herndon to enjoy the lifestyle it offers, as it has many attractions for people of all ages to enjoy. Two examples include Frying Pan Farm Park and the National Air and Space Museum. Another appealing feature is the low crime rates, and residents have just a 3.23 percent chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime, so it is considered one of the safest places to live in Virginia.
10. Poquoson
Those who enjoy a coastal setting may enjoy Poquoson, and this city offers all the fun of the seaside. There are some fantastic attractions in this city, such as the Poquoson Museum, and events such as the Poquoson Seafood Festival take place at various points throughout the year. Therefore, there is always something to see or do in this city. It is also known for being a safe place to live as the 12 thousand residents have only a 3.4 percent chance of becoming victims of crime.
9. Smithfield
Both the violent crimes and the property crimes are low in Smithfield, says Home Snacks. For every one hundred thousand residents, there are just 18 violent crimes and 657 property crimes. It also has many other things going for it, as the housing options are diverse, there are fantastic schools in the area, and there are plenty of amenities. On the downside, the cost of buying a property in this area is high, and the median house price is approximately $257 thousand.
8. Manassas Park
Manassas Park is a suburb in Virginia, and it has a lot of appealing features. The area has excellent schools, lots of activities to enjoy, and plenty of employment opportunities, especially working in government. The low crime rates are another appealing feature of this area, and the crime rate is just 3.59 percent. There are just under 17 thousand residents living in this suburb, and it has an urban feel. Like many good areas, the cost of living in Manassas Park is relatively high.
7. Falls Church
There is a real sense of community in Falls Church, and this is one of its most appealing features. Throughout the year, various events bring the community together, including regular farmer’s markets, concerts at the historic State Theatre, and Memorial Day parades. Another reason that the 15 thousand residents love living in this city is that it is such a safe area. The risk of becoming a victim of crime in this area is around 3.56 percent.
6. Purcellville
There is just a 1.86 percent chance of becoming a crime victim in Purcellville. The combined number of property and violent crimes is just 188 per one hundred thousand residents. Aside from the low crime rates, Purcellville has many features that make it a pleasant place to live. It is known for its rich heritage, and it has an attractive Historic Old Town. There are also some fun things for residents to enjoy in the area, such as roller skating at the Bush Tabernacle Skating Rink. Other features of this area are the community’s diversity, employment opportunities, the range of housing available, the excellent amenities, and the highly-rated public schools.
5. Blacksburg
Richmond Alarm lists Blacksburg as one of the safest cities in which to live in Blacksburg, which has a population of almost 41 thousand. It is a city known for Virginia Tech and for its attractions, including Moss Arts Center. The risk of becoming a victim of crime in this city is just 2.7 percent.
4. Buena Vista
Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains region of Virginia, Buena Vista is an independent city with a population of just over six thousand residents. There are 79 violent crimes and 860 property crimes per one hundred thousand people. In addition to the low crime rates, Buena Vista boasts stunning surroundings that will ideally suit people who enjoy spending time outdoors.
3. Vienna
The third-safest place to live in Virginia is Vienna, which is a town in Fairfax County with a population of almost 17 thousand people. It ranks in the second position for violent crimes with only 48 per one hundred thousand people in the last reporting year. However, it is in the third position overall as it is in the ninth position for property crimes, with 894 per one hundred thousand reported in the last 12 months.
2. Bridgewater
Located in Northern Virginia in Rockingham County, Bridgewater is a town with a population of just over six thousand residents. In terms of property crimes, it is the safest place to live in Virginia as there are only 408 property crimes per one hundred thousand people. However, there are 48 violent crimes for the same quota of residents, so Bridgewater ranks third for this type of crime. Overall, Bridgewater is the second safest place to live in Virginia. Bridgewater also has many other reasons that make it a great place to live. It has decent schools, outdoor spaces to enjoy, plenty of leisure activities, diverse housing, and various employment opportunities.
1. Lexington
According to Home Snacks, the safest place to live in Virginia is Lexington. It is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia, and it is the county seat of Rockbridge County. Lexington has a population of more than seven thousand people. Safety in this city has improved significantly in recent years, and now it ranks at the top of the list of safest places in the state. There are just 42 violent crimes per one hundred thousand residents annually. Property crimes are also low, with only 507 victims of such crimes for every one hundred thousand people.
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