Forest, VA Crime Rate & Safety
Last updated: May 2, 2026
Lower crime than 83% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated May 2026
Summary: Forest, VA Crime Rate (2026)
Forest, VA has a crime safety grade of A- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is 45% below the national average. Forest has lower crime than 83% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Data source: FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) & local law enforcement agencies. Last updated: May 2, 2026.
Is Forest Safe?
Yes — Forest is safe overall
A safe city with below-average crime, though safety varies by neighborhood.
Forest has a crime rate that is 45% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 489.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 489
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
46% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 49
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
12% higher than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Forest Crime Breakdown
Estimated crime rates based on FBI UCR data, calibrated to city-level crime score.
| Crime Type | Index | vs National | Risk Level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | ||||
|
Murder
|
86 | -14% | Average | |
|
Assault
|
52 | -48% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
50 | -50% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
67 | -33% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
50 | -50% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
111 | +11% | Average | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
116 | +16% | Average | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Forest Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Forest Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Forest zip codes.
Forest Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Forest, VA?
Forest, VA has a crime safety grade of A- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 45% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 489 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 49 chance for property crime. Forest has lower crime than 83% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Forest, VA safe to live in?
Forest is generally considered a safe place to live, earning a crime grade of A-. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Forest is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Forest?
The estimated violent crime rate in Forest is 204.4 per 100,000 residents, which is 46% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 489 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 4.3 per 100K (14% below average); aggravated assault at 140.6 per 100K (48% below average); robbery at 37.1 per 100K (50% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Forest?
The estimated property crime rate in Forest is 2,054.7 per 100,000 residents, which is 12% higher than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 49 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 133.7 per 100K (50% below average); larceny/theft at 1,550.2 per 100K (11% above average); vehicle theft at 370.8 per 100K (16% above average).
How does Forest crime compare to the national average?
Forest's overall crime rate is 45% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is vehicle theft (16% above average), while robbery is 50% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Forest has lower crime than 83% of them.
Is Forest safe to visit?
Forest is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 12% above average, which is typically the main concern for tourists. Avoid leaving valuables in vehicles, stay aware of your surroundings in unfamiliar areas, and stick to well-traveled neighborhoods.
How does Forest crime compare to the rest of Virginia?
Virginia as a whole has crime that is 12% above the national average. Forest's crime rate is 45% below the national average, making it safer the typical Virginia city.
What type of crime is most common in Forest?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Forest, with an estimated rate of 1,550.2 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 11% above the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (2,055 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (204 per 100K) in Forest, which is consistent with national trends.