Lancaster, VA Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 46% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Lancaster Safe?
Somewhat — crime is near the national average
Safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Some areas are safe, others are not.
Lancaster has a crime rate that is 16% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 323.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 323
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
19% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 105
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
48% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Lancaster 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
|
72 | -28% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
78 | -22% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
84 | -16% | Average | |
|
Rape
|
105 | +5% | Average | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
110 | +10% | Average | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
39 | -61% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
33 | -67% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Lancaster Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Lancaster Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Lancaster zip codes.
Lancaster Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Lancaster, VA?
Lancaster, VA has a crime safety grade of C+ as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 16% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 323 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 105 chance for property crime. Lancaster has lower crime than 46% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Lancaster, VA safe to live in?
Lancaster has a moderate level of crime with a safety grade of C+. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Lancaster is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Lancaster?
The estimated violent crime rate in Lancaster is 309.6 per 100,000 residents, which is 19% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 323 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 3.6 per 100K (28% below average); aggravated assault at 208.5 per 100K (22% below average); robbery at 62.3 per 100K (16% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Lancaster?
The estimated property crime rate in Lancaster is 951.0 per 100,000 residents, which is 48% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 105 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 295.9 per 100K (10% above average); larceny/theft at 550.7 per 100K (61% below average); vehicle theft at 104.4 per 100K (67% below average).
How does Lancaster crime compare to the national average?
Lancaster's overall crime rate is 16% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is burglary (10% above average), while vehicle theft is 67% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Lancaster has lower crime than 46% of them.
Is Lancaster safe to visit?
Visitors to Lancaster should take standard urban precautions. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 48% 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.
How does Lancaster crime compare to the rest of Virginia?
Virginia as a whole has crime that is 12% above the national average. Lancaster's crime rate is 16% below the national average, making it safer the typical Virginia city.
What type of crime is most common in Lancaster?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Lancaster, with an estimated rate of 550.7 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 61% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (951 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (310 per 100K) in Lancaster, which is consistent with national trends.