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C-

Is Blacksburg, Virginia Safe?

Population 45,104 · Safer than 26% of US cities

Stable· 2023 FBI UCR data

Blacksburg is a smaller community of 45,104 people with a C- safety grade. Crime runs close to the national average for violent offenses, and the overall rate sits at 238.6 per 1,000. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,744 per 100K.

Blacksburg Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricBlacksburgVirginia AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate315.9320.0363.8
Property Crime Rate2069.72045.21,832.3
Murder Rate7.0--5.7
Assault Rate192.0--268.2
Theft Rate1744.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate510.0--318.3

All rates per 100,000 residents. 2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report + Census Bureau population estimates.

Overall SafetyC-

238.6 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC

316/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD+

2070/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Blacksburg

Violent crime in Blacksburg is close to the national average. The rate of 315.9 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 2069.7 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,744 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Blacksburg Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder7
01.2x national avgAvg: 5.7
Assault192
072% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery68
01.1x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary287
01.1x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,744
01.2x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft510
01.6x national avgAvg: 318.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. Vertical marker = national average.

How Blacksburg Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Blacksburg
315.9
State
320.0
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Blacksburg
2069.7
State
2045.2
National
1832.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. National averages from 2023 FBI UCR data.

Frequently Asked Questions About Blacksburg Safety

Is Blacksburg safe?
Not especially. Blacksburg earns a C- with a crime rate of 238.6 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs close to the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Blacksburg?
238.6 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 315.9 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2069.7 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Blacksburg safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Blacksburg's C- grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,744 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Blacksburg?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Blacksburg generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Blacksburg police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Blacksburg?
Crime rates have held steady in Blacksburg, without significant movement in either direction. The city maintains its C- grade.
How does Blacksburg compare to other cities in Virginia?
Below average for the state. Blacksburg ranks behind about 72% of Virginia cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.1x the national rate.
How safe is Blacksburg to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is close to the national average, which is encouraging. Rates have been stable.
How bad is crime in Blacksburg?
Bad. A C- grade and 238.6 per-thousand rate put Blacksburg below 74% of US cities. Violent crime at 316 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Blacksburg?
315.9 per 100,000, which is 13% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (192), robbery (68), and murder (7.0) per 100,000.

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View all Virginia city safety grades

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2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report data and Census Bureau population estimates. Safety grades calculated using national and state-level crime rate distributions. Not a substitute for local law enforcement guidance.

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