Crime per Capita in Nelson County
The map below displays the crime rate per 1,000 residents in Nelson County.
Safest
Highest crime
Colorblind friendly
off
C-
Overall Crime Grade™
C+ |
|
D |
|
Other Crime Grade |
C+ |
$7.93 million
Cost of Crime™ for Nelson County, VA
In 2025, crime will cost $1,243 per household.
Crime Grade's crime map highlights the safest areas in Nelson County in green, the most dangerous in red, and moderately safe areas in yellow. Crime rates on the map are weighted based on both the type and severity of the crime. For more information on how to interpret our crime maps, see the Interpreting the Crime Maps section below.
Is Nelson County, VA Safe?
The C- grade indicates that the rate of crime is slightly higher than that of the average US county. Nelson County ranks in the 32nd percentile for safety, meaning it is safer than 32% of counties but less safe than 68%. This analysis applies only to Nelson County's official city boundaries. See the table below for nearby counties.
The crime rate in Nelson County is 37.37 per 1,000 residents in the typical year. Nelson County Residents generally consider the northeast part of the county to be the safest. Your chance of being a victim of crime in Nelson County varies by area - ranging from 1 in 18 in the southwest areas to 1 in 33 in the northeast.
When looking at total crime counts (rather than per capita rates), the north parts of Nelson County, VA see the most incidents - about 111 per year. In contrast, the northwest part of the county has the fewest, with approximately 24 crimes annually.
The Cost of Crime™ in Nelson County, VA
The total projected cost of crime in Nelson County for 2025 is $7,931,205. This translates to approximately $530 per resident and $1,243 per household. On average, crime-related costs account for 1.2% of the median household income in Nelson County. These figures reflect only tangible costs, which include the following:- Criminal justice system costs (law enforcement, courts, and imprisonment): 55.9%
- Direct costs to victims (damaged property, medical expenses, and lost wages): 32.5%
- Lost economic contribution from offenders (time in prison or repeat offenses): 11.5%
How Much Does Crime Cost in Nelson County Compared to Other Counties?
| Nelson County, VA: | $530 |
|---|---|
| Portsmouth City, VA: | $867 |
| Loudoun County, VA: | $236 |
| Virginia: | $432 |
| USA: | $464 |
The Cost of Crime per resident in Nelson County is $530 per year, which is $65 more than the national average and $98 more than Virginia's state average. Below we compare counties similar to Nelson County:
- In Portsmouth City, VA, crime costs $867 per person, which is $337 more than in Nelson County.
- In Loudoun County, VA, crime costs $236 per person, which is $293 less than in Nelson County
2025 Projected Cost by Type of Crime
The table below shows the total cost of crime to the residents of Nelson County for the year 2025 along with the projected cost per resident.Crime |
Cost to Nelson County |
Cost per Nelson County Resident |
|---|---|---|
Murder |
$2.73 million |
$183 |
Rape/Sexual Assault |
$565,023 |
$38 |
Robbery |
$245,672 |
$16 |
Assault |
$987,503 |
$66 |
Kidnapping |
$153,656 |
$10 |
Vehicle Theft |
$198,080 |
$13 |
Burglary |
$353,541 |
$24 |
Theft |
$1.53 million |
$102 |
Arson |
$36,735 |
$2 |
Vandalism |
$640,061 |
$43 |
Animal Cruelty |
$20,897 |
$1 |
Drug Crimes |
$385,794 |
$26 |
Identity Theft |
$76,547 |
$5 |
Total Cost of Crime |
$7,931,205 |
$530 |
The Intangible Cost of Crime in Nelson County, VA
CrimeGrade primarily focuses on tangible costs, but the true impact of crime extends beyond economic. Pain and suffering for victims and their families are difficult to quantify, but research-based methodologies help estimate these effects. Using these methodologies, we calculate that the intangible cost of crime in Nelson County totals $21,170,491 ($1,414 per resident). When added to the tangible costs, this brings the total estimated cost of crime to $29,101,695 ($1,943 per resident). All Cost of Crime facts are based on scholarly research done on the cost of crime. Read more about our methodology here.Interpreting the Crime Maps
When interpreting the Nelson County crime map, keep in mind that crime rates are measured per resident. Areas with high visitor traffic, such as shopping districts, may appear to have higher crime rates simply because more crimes occur where people gather - even if few residents live there. For example, the north part of the county has more retail establishments, which can artificially inflate crime rates in that area. Red areas on the map do not necessarily mean a neighborhood is unsafe for residents.
More issues arise with places like airports, parks, and schools. Major airports always look like high-crime locations due to the large number of people and the low population nearby. Parks and designated recreational areas, of which Nelson County has 12, have the same problem. Of Nelson County’s 14,974 residents, few live near recreational areas. Because many people visit, crime rates may appear higher even for safe parks. Crime occurs where people gather, whether they live there or not. Before assuming an area is unsafe, consider both per-capita crime rates and total crime counts, as well as the types of destinations nearby.
To better understand and navigate these intricate crime maps, a high-speed internet connection can be crucial. Fast and seamless online connectivity ensures that map details load efficiently, providing users with clearer, uninterrupted insights. If you're considering enhancing your online experience, check out high speed internet in Nelson County, VA at ISP Reports.Nelson County Crime Breakdown
The tables below show which crimes are used to calculate the Crime Grades above. All crime rates are shown as the number of crimes per 1,000 Nelson County residents in a standard year.
Violent Crime Rates
Crime Type |
Crime Rate |
|---|---|
Assault |
2.296 |
Robbery |
0.5216 |
Rape |
0.6223 |
Murder |
0.0971 |
Total Violent Crime |
3.537 (C+) |
Property Crime Rates
Crime Type |
Crime Rate |
|---|---|
Theft |
19.79 |
Vehicle Theft |
0.8543 |
Burglary |
2.603 |
Arson |
0.1016 |
Total Property Crime |
23.34 (D) |
Other Crime Rates
Crime Type |
Crime Rate |
|---|---|
Kidnapping |
0.1692 |
Drug Crimes |
3.483 |
Vandalism |
5.983 |
Identity Theft |
0.6605 |
Animal Cruelty |
0.1887 |
Total "Other" Rate |
10.48 (C+) |
Individual Nelson County Crime Maps & Stats
Crime Maps and Rates for Nearby Counties
Compared to surrounding counties, the rate of crime in Nelson County is higher. The table below shows Crime Grades for counties close to Nelson County.
Nearby County | Overall Crime Grade | Violent Crime Grade | Property Crime Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
C- | B- | D+ | |
A | A | A | |
B- | B+ | C+ | |
B | A+ | C+ | |
C- | B- | D+ | |
B | A | B | |
B+ | A | B+ | |
B- | C+ | B | |
B+ | A- | A- | |
D- | C+ | D- |
Crime Maps and Rates for County with Similar Populations
Nelson County is similar versus other counties of the same size for crime. The table below compares crime in counties with comparable overall population in the county‘s boundaries.
Similar County | Overall Crime Grade | Violent Crime Grade | Property Crime Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
D | C- | C- | |
C+ | C- | C- | |
D- | D- | D- | |
D | D+ | D+ | |
D- | C | C | |
A+ | A | A | |
C+ | C+ | C+ | |
D- | D- | D- | |
B- | C+ | C+ | |
F | D+ | D+ |
Considering only the crime rate, Nelson County is less safe than the Virginia state average and less safe than the national average.
Safety and school performance are separate topics, but both shape moving decisions. Using SchoolGrade data, schools in Nelson County, VA average SchoolGrade of B+, with 51% actual proficiency versus 49% projected; overall, schools meet expectations. See Nelson County schools on SchoolGrade
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