Virginia’s Safest Cities of 2025

See crime rates for the safest cities.

According to our most recent State of Safety report, people in Virginia are most concerned about violent crime and gun violence. But in Virginia's safest cities, violent crime rates were more likely to have gone down year over year compared to property crime rates. Overall, a little less than half of our survey participants say they feel safe in the state. 

We didn't have enough viable data to accurately calculate statewide crime rates this year, but our annual State of Safety survey sheds some light on crime experiences and concerns across The Old Dominion State. 

Virginians feel a little less safe in the state compared to the previous year, but their confidence level still hovers around the national average of 48%. About 47% told us they feel safe in Virginia, whereas last year's tally was 49%. 

Despite this slight decline in confidence, Virginians show a few signs of optimism. About 15% think crime is decreasing, which is an impressive jump from 2% the year before. On the flip side, 56% think crime is increasing, which is down from 73% year over year. 

When it comes to overall safety and security, 46% of Virginians say they feel concerned on a daily basis. That's down from 49% the year before and slightly lower than the national average of 47%. 

Finally, about one in three Virginians say they increased their safety and security measures in the 8 months prior to our survey, which is one of the lowest percentages nationwide. 

Find safety and security resources in Virginia.

According to our latest State of Safety survey, property crime and package theft rose slightly in Virginia, and so did residents' concerns. Property crime is slightly more concerning for Virginians even though they're more likely to experience package theft.

• 26% said they experienced property crime in the 8 months prior to the survey, up from 25% the year before (US 27%).
• Concern about property crime rose from 53% to 56% year over year (US 54%).
• 34% of Virginians experienced package theft in the 8 months prior to our survey, up from 33% the year before (US 37%).
• Concern about package theft rose from 52% to 55% (US 52%).
• Virginia residents prefer to protect their property with security cameras (47%), guard dogs (37%), and security systems (34%). 

Virginians saw a slight decline in their violent crime experiences year-over-year, but concern about violent crime continues to rise in The Old Dominion State. 

• 14% said they personally experienced violent crime in the 8 months prior to the survey, down from 15% the year before (US 14%). 
• Concern about violent crime rose from 60% to 63% year over year (US 59%).
• Virginians worry about violent crime as much as they worry about gun violence. 
• 37% of Virginians say they use personal protection (US 35%).
• Virginia residents prefer to protect themselves with pepper spray (28%), pocket knives (21%), and stun guns (15%).

• 15% of Virginians said they experienced gun violence in the 8 months prior to our survey, up from 13% the year before (US 11%).
• Virginia ranks 7 out of 50 for gun violence experiences nationwide. 
• Residents in neighboring states are less likely to experience gun violence than Virginians, with the exception of Kentucky (19%). 
• Concern about gun violence increased from 62% to 63% year over year (US 57%). 
• Neighbors in Maryland (74%) and North Carolina (65%) worry about gun violence more than Virginians despite being less likely to experience it. 
• 13 mass shooting events took place in Virginia in 2024.
• 10% of Virginians said they use a concealed firearm for personal protection, while 23% use firearms to protect their property.

For the purposes of this report, the terms “dangerous” and “safest” refer explicitly to crime rates as calculated from FBI crime data—no other characterization of any community is implied or intended.

• 60 cities met criteria for ranking this year.
• Bridgewater is back in the #1 spot after falling to #4 the previous year. It reported 1 rape and 30 larcenies/thefts, but no other crimes. 
• Purcellville, Dumfries, and Vinton reported no rapes.
• Bridgewater, Buena Vista, Lexington, and Poquoson reported no robberies. 
• Bridgewater and Lexington reported no motor vehicle thefts.
• Virginia Beach is one of the largest cities to appear on any of our safest cities lists. 
• This year's safest cities were more likely to see a drop in violent crime than in property crime. 
• Bridgewater, Purcellville, Buena Vista, Dumfries, Salem, Herndon, and Vinton saw year-over-year decreases in both property crime and violent crime. 

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