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C+

Is Waynesboro, Virginia Safe?

Population 23,951 · Safer than 40% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

Waynesboro is a smaller community of 23,951 people with a C+ safety grade. Crime runs below the national average for violent offenses, and the overall rate sits at 202.5 per 1,000. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,379 per 100K.

Waynesboro Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricWaynesboroVirginia AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate276.8320.0363.8
Property Crime Rate1747.92045.21,832.3
Murder Rate6.0--5.7
Assault Rate204.0--268.2
Theft Rate1379.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate251.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyC+

202.5 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC+

277/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeC

1748/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Waynesboro

Violent crime in Waynesboro is below the national average. The rate of 276.8 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 1747.9 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,379 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Waynesboro Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder6
01.1x national avgAvg: 5.7
Assault204
076% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery31
049% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary206
076% of avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,379
098% of avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft251
079% of avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Waynesboro Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Waynesboro
276.8
State
320.0
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Waynesboro
1747.9
State
2045.2
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Waynesboro Safety

Is Waynesboro safe?
It depends on where in Waynesboro you are. The city gets a C+ overall, with violent crime below the national average and property crime close to the national average. Some areas are safer than others.
What is the crime rate in Waynesboro?
202.5 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 276.8 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 1747.9 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Waynesboro safe for tourists?
Stick to well-traveled areas and you'll be fine. Waynesboro has a C+ grade, so it's not the safest destination, but tourist areas generally see less violent crime than the citywide average suggests.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Waynesboro?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Waynesboro generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Waynesboro police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Waynesboro?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Waynesboro's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a C+ grade overall.
How does Waynesboro compare to other cities in Virginia?
Middle of the pack for Virginia. Waynesboro isn't the safest option in the state, but it's not the most concerning either, ranking around the 46th percentile among Virginia cities.
How safe is Waynesboro 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 Waynesboro?
Mixed. Violent crime is below the national average, and property crime is close to the national average. It's not great, but it's not the worst either, landing at the 40th percentile nationally.
What is the violent crime rate in Waynesboro?
276.8 per 100,000, which is 24% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (204), robbery (31), and murder (6.0) 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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