Washington, VA Crime Rate & Safety
Last updated: June 20, 2026
Lower crime than 90% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated June 2026
Summary: Washington, VA Crime Rate (2026)
Washington, VA has a crime safety grade of A- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is 48% below the national average. Washington has lower crime than 90% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Data source: FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) & local law enforcement agencies. Last updated: June 20, 2026.
Is Washington Safe?
Yes — Washington is safe overall
A safe city with below-average crime, though safety varies by neighborhood.
Washington has a crime rate that is 48% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 539.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 539
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
51% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 219
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
75% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Washington 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
|
46 | -54% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
50 | -50% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
45 | -55% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
44 | -56% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
33 | -67% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
23 | -77% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
14 | -86% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Washington Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Washington Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Washington zip codes.
Washington Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Washington, VA?
Washington, VA has a crime safety grade of A- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 48% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 539 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 219 chance for property crime. Washington has lower crime than 90% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Washington, VA safe to live in?
Washington 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 Washington is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Washington?
The estimated violent crime rate in Washington is 185.7 per 100,000 residents, which is 51% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 539 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 2.3 per 100K (54% below average); aggravated assault at 135.1 per 100K (50% below average); robbery at 33.5 per 100K (55% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Washington?
The estimated property crime rate in Washington is 455.9 per 100,000 residents, which is 75% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 219 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 88.1 per 100K (67% below average); larceny/theft at 324.4 per 100K (77% below average); vehicle theft at 43.4 per 100K (86% below average).
How does Washington crime compare to the national average?
Washington's overall crime rate is 48% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is assault (50% below average), while vehicle theft is 86% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Washington has lower crime than 90% of them.
Is Washington safe to visit?
Washington is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 75% 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 Washington crime compare to the rest of Virginia?
Virginia as a whole has crime that is 12% above the national average. Washington's crime rate is 48% below the national average, making it safer the typical Virginia city.
What type of crime is most common in Washington?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Washington, with an estimated rate of 324.4 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 77% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (456 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (186 per 100K) in Washington, which is consistent with national trends.