Sterling, VA Crime Map

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Crime in Sterling, VA

Is Sterling, VA safe to live in?

Sterling earns an overall city-wide safety rating of Very Safe (A) based on analysis of all 9 neighborhoods in the area. Every single neighborhood analyzed — 100% of them — falls into either the A or B grade tier, meaning none scored a C, D, or F. Specifically, 5 neighborhoods (55.6%) earned an A-range grade and 4 neighborhoods (44.4%) earned a B-range grade. Standout safe areas include Lowes Island (A+), Cascades (A), and Countryside (A), all of which carry median household incomes well above $160,000 — a factor that strongly correlates with lower crime prevalence. While the city-wide composite grade is C-, that reflects broader regional comparisons; within Sterling's own neighborhood landscape, the safety picture is consistently strong.

What is the crime rate in Sterling, VA?

Rather than a single raw number, crime in Sterling is best understood through its neighborhood grade distribution. All 9 analyzed neighborhoods score in the A or B range — 55.6% at Grade A and 44.4% at Grade B — with zero neighborhoods graded C or below. The areas with the relatively highest crime activity within Sterling are Dulles Town Center, Sterling proper, Arcola, and Sugarland Run, all of which still earn a B+ grade — well within the safe category. Sterling's poverty rate of 5.8% and median household income of $101,079 are consistent with a community that maintains lower-than-average crime pressure compared to many U.S. suburbs of similar size.

Which neighborhoods in Sterling have the lowest crime?

The five safest neighborhoods in Sterling, all earning an A-range grade, are:

• Lowes Island — Grade A+: The top-rated neighborhood, home to about 14,289 residents with a median household income of $207,727. It consistently records the fewest crime incidents relative to its population.
• Cascades — Grade A: Sterling's most populous neighborhood at 16,277 residents, with a median income of $163,268 and a strong A safety grade.
• Washington Dulles International Airport — Grade A: A small enclave of 118 residents with a median income of $188,365 and an A-grade safety rating.
• Countryside — Grade A: About 11,881 residents, median income of $160,425, and a solid A grade for safety.
• Oak Grove — Grade A-: A smaller community of 1,396 residents with a median income of $167,705 and an A- grade.

All five of these neighborhoods feature median household incomes above $160,000 — more than 58% higher than Sterling's city-wide median of $101,079 — illustrating the strong relationship between economic stability and neighborhood safety.

Which parts of Sterling have higher crime?

Even Sterling's relatively higher-crime areas remain safe by most measures. The neighborhoods with the most crime activity relative to others in Sterling are Dulles Town Center (B+), Sterling (B+), Arcola (B+), and Sugarland Run (B+). Notably, all four still earn a B+ grade — the highest possible B rating. Sugarland Run, with a population of 15,615 and a median income of $119,700, and Dulles Town Center, a commercial hub with 5,416 residents and a median income of $120,534, see more foot traffic and retail activity, which can contribute to higher incident counts without necessarily reflecting danger to residents. No neighborhood in Sterling grades below a B+.

Is Sterling, VA a good place to raise a family?

The data strongly supports Sterling as a family-friendly community. With 100% of neighborhoods graded A or B, a poverty rate of just 5.8%, and a median household income of $101,079 — well above the national median — Sterling offers the economic and safety conditions families typically prioritize. Neighborhoods like Lowes Island (A+) and Cascades (A) are particularly well-suited for families, combining top safety grades with large residential populations and high incomes. The median home value of $378,678 and median rent of $1,868 reflect a competitive but stable housing market. The 6.2% unemployment rate is the one metric worth monitoring, though it has not translated into elevated crime across the community's neighborhoods.

How does Sterling compare to other Northern Virginia communities on safety?

Sterling holds up well against other Northern Virginia suburbs. Its city-wide neighborhood safety rating of Very Safe (A), with 55.6% of neighborhoods graded A and the remaining 44.4% graded B, places it among the more secure communities in the region. The combination of a low poverty rate (5.8%), a median household income exceeding $100,000, and zero neighborhoods graded C or below reflects a community with structural advantages that support public safety. Areas like Lowes Island and Cascades would rank among the safest neighborhoods in virtually any Northern Virginia comparison, with incomes and safety grades that rival the region's most affluent enclaves.