CityCheck
CitiesSafetyAskPlan
D+

Is Salem, Virginia Safe?

Population 25,816 · Safer than 23% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

Salem is a smaller community of 25,816 people with a D+ safety grade. Crime runs below the national average for violent offenses, and the overall rate sits at 247.8 per 1,000. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,453 per 100K.

Salem Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricSalemVirginia AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate237.5320.0363.8
Property Crime Rate2240.72045.21,832.3
Murder Rate4.0--5.7
Assault Rate183.0--268.2
Theft Rate1453.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate431.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD+

247.8 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeB-

238/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD

2241/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Salem

Violent crime in Salem is below the national average. The rate of 237.5 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2240.7 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,453 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Salem Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder4
070% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault183
068% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery51
081% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary346
01.3x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,453
01.0x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft431
01.4x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Salem Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Salem
237.5
State
320.0
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Salem
2240.7
State
2045.2
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Salem Safety

Is Salem safe?
Not especially. Salem earns a D+ with a crime rate of 247.8 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs below the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Salem?
247.8 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 237.5 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2240.7 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Salem safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Salem's D+ grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,453 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Salem?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Salem generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Salem police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Salem?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Salem's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a D+ grade overall.
How does Salem compare to other cities in Virginia?
Below average for the state. Salem ranks behind about 80% of Virginia cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.2x the national rate.
How safe is Salem to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is below the national average, which is encouraging. The upward trend in crime is concerning.
How bad is crime in Salem?
Bad. A D+ grade and 247.8 per-thousand rate put Salem below 77% of US cities. Violent crime at 238 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Salem?
237.5 per 100,000, which is 35% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (183), robbery (51), and murder (4.0) per 100,000.

Nearby Cities in Virginia

Similar-sized communities in Virginia. Compare crime rates across the state.

C-
See crime rates in Herndon25,506 pop · Grade C-
D+
See crime rates in Fairfax26,772 pop · Grade D+
C-
See crime rates in Staunton26,801 pop · Grade C-
C+
See crime rates in Waynesboro23,951 pop · Grade C+
C
See crime rates in Winchester28,272 pop · Grade C
D
See crime rates in Hopewell23,261 pop · Grade D
View all Virginia city safety grades

Looking for things to do? See activities, events and places in Salem

Get weekly safety updates for Salem

Weekly crime trend updates and safety grade changes delivered to your inbox.

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.

Know before you go

CityCheck covers safety grades, crime data, and things to do for every US city.

Explore cities