Arlington, VA generally experiences lower crime rates compared to the national average, which is good news for residents and visitors alike. That being said, it’s important to note that no area is completely free from crime, and it’s always a good idea to be aware of your surroundings and take precautions to protect yourself.
This article presents an analysis of crime rates in various neighborhoods within Arlington, Virginia, drawing comparisons to national and state averages.
Neighborhood Comparisons:
- Columbia Heights West: While the statement regarding 86% of residents being violent lacks context and is statistically improbable, it is crucial to acknowledge that this neighborhood experiences a higher rate of violent crimes (156 per 100,000) compared to the Arlington County average.
- Arlington Forest Glen: This smaller community exhibits a higher violent crime rate (187 per 100,000) than the county average, despite its access to green spaces.
- Columbia Forest: This area experiences a moderate violent crime rate (176 per 100,000) compared to the county average.
- Columbia Heights: This centrally located neighborhood has a violent crime rate of 175 per 100,000, slightly lower than the county average.
- Penrose: This historic neighborhood has a violent crime rate of 174 per 100,000, comparable to the county average.
National and State Comparisons:
- Arlington’s overall crime rate (3,082.4 per 100,000) exceeds the national average (2,346.0) and the Texas state average (2,691.5).
- Similarly, Arlington’s serious crime rate (580 per 100,000) is higher than the national average (370) and the Texas average (432).
- Property crime rates in Arlington (2,525 per 100,000) are also higher than national (1,954) and Texas (2,300) averages.
Safety Considerations:
- While Arlington experiences higher crime rates compared to national and state averages, it is important to note that it remains safer than 24% of US cities.
- This implies that 76% of US cities have higher crime rates, while 24% have lower rates.
- Comparing Arlington to other major cities like Memphis, which has a significantly higher serious crime rate (2,507 per 100,000), further highlights its relative safety.