Gainesville, VA Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 68% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Gainesville Safe?
Yes — Gainesville has good safety overall
A city with below-average crime rates, though some neighborhoods may differ.
Gainesville has a crime rate that is 33% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 425.
However, safety varies dramatically by neighborhood. Areas like Heritage Hunt earn an A+ safety grade, while Gainesville rates A. Understanding which neighborhoods are safe is critical for anyone living in, moving to, or visiting Gainesville.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 425
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
38% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 83
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
34% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Gainesville 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
|
68 | -32% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
52 | -48% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
86 | -14% | Average | |
|
Rape
|
83 | -17% | Average | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
46 | -54% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
65 | -35% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
56 | -44% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Gainesville Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Where Is It Safe in Gainesville?
Safety varies dramatically across Gainesville's 2+ neighborhoods.
Safest Neighborhoods
Top 2Areas with Higher Crime
Bottom 2Neighborhood Safety Distribution
Out of 2 neighborhoods in Gainesville
All Gainesville Neighborhoods
| # | Neighborhood | Grade | Crime Index |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Heritage Hunt | A+ | 40 |
| 2 | Gainesville | A | 65 |
Gainesville Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Gainesville zip codes.
Gainesville Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Gainesville, VA?
Gainesville, VA has a crime safety grade of B as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 33% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 425 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 83 chance for property crime. Gainesville has lower crime than 68% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Gainesville, VA safe to live in?
Gainesville is generally considered a safe place to live, earning a crime grade of B. Approximately 100% of the city's 2 neighborhoods are rated A or B for safety. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. For example, Heritage Hunt is one of the safest areas, while Gainesville has higher crime rates. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Gainesville is strongly recommended.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Gainesville?
Based on 2026 crime data, the safest neighborhoods in Gainesville are Heritage Hunt, and Gainesville. These areas have significantly lower crime rates than the city average and are popular choices for families, professionals, and anyone prioritizing safety.
What are the most dangerous areas in Gainesville?
The neighborhoods with the highest crime rates in Gainesville include Gainesville, and Heritage Hunt. These areas experience significantly more crime than the city average. Visitors and prospective residents should exercise extra caution in these neighborhoods, particularly at night.
What is the violent crime rate in Gainesville?
The estimated violent crime rate in Gainesville is 235.2 per 100,000 residents, which is 38% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 425 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 3.4 per 100K (32% below average); aggravated assault at 140.1 per 100K (48% below average); robbery at 63.9 per 100K (14% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Gainesville?
The estimated property crime rate in Gainesville is 1,211.1 per 100,000 residents, which is 34% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 83 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 123.9 per 100K (54% below average); larceny/theft at 909.2 per 100K (35% below average); vehicle theft at 178.0 per 100K (44% below average).
How does Gainesville crime compare to the national average?
Gainesville's overall crime rate is 33% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is robbery (14% below average), while burglary is 54% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Gainesville has lower crime than 68% of them.
Is Gainesville safe to visit?
Gainesville is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 34% below 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. Popular, safer areas for visitors include Heritage Hunt, Gainesville.
How does Gainesville crime compare to the rest of Virginia?
Virginia as a whole has crime that is 12% above the national average. Gainesville's crime rate is 33% below the national average, making it safer the typical Virginia city.
What type of crime is most common in Gainesville?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Gainesville, with an estimated rate of 909.2 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 35% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,211 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (235 per 100K) in Gainesville, which is consistent with national trends.