Crime per Capita in Sterling
The map below displays the crime rate per 1,000 residents in Sterling.
Safest
Highest crime
Colorblind friendly
off
B
Overall Crime Grade™
A |
|
B |
|
Other Crime Grade |
C+ |
$14.8 million
Cost of Crime™ for Sterling, VA
In 2025, crime will cost $680 per household.
Crime Grade's crime map highlights the safest areas in Sterling 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 Sterling, VA Safe?
The B grade indicates that the rate of crime is slightly lower than that of the average US city. Sterling ranks in the 67th percentile for safety, meaning it is safer than 67% of cities but less safe than 33%. This analysis applies only to Sterling's official city boundaries. See the table below for nearby cities.
The crime rate in Sterling is 19.03 per 1,000 residents in the typical year. Sterling Residents generally consider the east part of the city to be the safest. Your chance of being a victim of crime in Sterling varies by neighborhood - ranging from 1 in 30 in the west neighborhoods to 1 in 66 in the east.
When looking at total crime counts (rather than per capita rates), the central parts of Sterling, VA see the most incidents - about 406 per year. In contrast, the west part of the city has the fewest, with approximately 10 crimes annually.
The Cost of Crime™ in Sterling, VA
The total projected cost of crime in Sterling for 2025 is $14,816,015. This translates to approximately $236 per resident and $680 per household. On average, crime-related costs account for 0.4% of the median household income in Sterling. These figures reflect only tangible costs, which include the following:- Criminal justice system costs (law enforcement, courts, and imprisonment): 62.2%
- Direct costs to victims (damaged property, medical expenses, and lost wages): 25.4%
- Lost economic contribution from offenders (time in prison or repeat offenses): 12.4%
How Much Does Crime Cost in Sterling Compared to Other Cities?
| Sterling, VA: | $236 |
|---|---|
| Emporia, VA: | $1033 |
| Round Hill, VA: | $132 |
| Virginia: | $432 |
| USA: | $464 |
The Cost of Crime per resident in Sterling is $236 per year, which is $229 less than the national average and $196 less than Virginia's state average. Below we compare cities similar to Sterling:
- In Emporia, VA, crime costs $1,033 per person, which is $797 more than in Sterling.
- In Round Hill, VA, crime costs $132 per person, which is $104 less than in Sterling
2025 Projected Cost by Type of Crime
The table below shows the total cost of crime to the residents of Sterling for the year 2025 along with the projected cost per resident.Crime |
Cost to Sterling |
Cost per Sterling Resident |
|---|---|---|
Murder |
$3.42 million |
$54 |
Rape/Sexual Assault |
$1.61 million |
$26 |
Robbery |
$562,114 |
$9 |
Assault |
$1.33 million |
$21 |
Kidnapping |
$686,979 |
$11 |
Vehicle Theft |
$459,188 |
$7 |
Burglary |
$367,172 |
$6 |
Theft |
$2.82 million |
$45 |
Arson |
$93,418 |
$1 |
Vandalism |
$1.51 million |
$24 |
Animal Cruelty |
$83,286 |
$1 |
Drug Crimes |
$1.49 million |
$24 |
Identity Theft |
$384,221 |
$6 |
Total Cost of Crime |
$14,816,015 |
$236 |
The Intangible Cost of Crime in Sterling, 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 Sterling totals $31,023,957 ($494 per resident). When added to the tangible costs, this brings the total estimated cost of crime to $45,839,971 ($729 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 Sterling 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 northeast part of the city 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, of which Sterling has 1, 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 Sterling has 6, have the same problem. Of Sterling’s 62,858 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 Sterling, VA at ISP Reports.Sterling 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 Sterling residents in a standard year.
Violent Crime Rates
Crime Type |
Crime Rate |
|---|---|
Assault |
0.7354 |
Robbery |
0.2843 |
Rape |
0.4221 |
Murder |
0.0290 |
Total Violent Crime |
1.471 (A) |
Property Crime Rates
Crime Type |
Crime Rate |
|---|---|
Theft |
8.667 |
Vehicle Theft |
0.4718 |
Burglary |
0.6440 |
Arson |
0.0615 |
Total Property Crime |
9.845 (B) |
Other Crime Rates
Crime Type |
Crime Rate |
|---|---|
Kidnapping |
0.1802 |
Drug Crimes |
3.194 |
Vandalism |
3.371 |
Identity Theft |
0.7897 |
Animal Cruelty |
0.1791 |
Total "Other" Rate |
7.714 (C+) |
Individual Sterling Crime Maps & Stats
Crime Maps and Rates for Nearby Cities
Compared to surrounding cities, the rate of crime in Sterling is lower. The table below shows Crime Grades for cities close to Sterling.
Nearby City | Overall Crime Grade | Violent Crime Grade | Property Crime Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
F | C- | F | |
A- | A+ | B | |
B+ | A+ | B+ | |
B+ | A+ | B | |
A | A+ | A | |
B- | A | C | |
B- | A+ | C | |
A | A+ | A- | |
C+ | A | C- | |
A- | A+ | A- |
Crime Maps and Rates for City with Similar Populations
Sterling is lower versus other cities of the same size for crime. The table below compares crime in cities with comparable overall population in the city‘s boundaries.
Similar City | Overall Crime Grade | Violent Crime Grade | Property Crime Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
B+ | B- | B- | |
D- | D- | D- | |
D | D | D | |
C | C- | C- | |
B- | B+ | B+ | |
C | B+ | B+ | |
B+ | B+ | B+ | |
C+ | C+ | C+ | |
B- | A- | A- | |
B | C | C |
Considering only the crime rate, Sterling is safer than the Virginia state average and safer than the national average.
Safety and school performance are separate topics, but both shape moving decisions. Using SchoolGrade data, schools in Sterling, VA average SchoolGrade of A, with 64% actual proficiency versus 56% projected; overall, schools greatly exceed expectations. See Sterling schools on SchoolGrade
About the Data
CrimeGrade.org provides highly detailed and accurate crime data, used by insurance companies, home security firms, and other industries. Our data is available for licensing—learn more about our USA crime data and licensing.
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All maps and statistics above are projections, not certainties, and provided without guarantee free of charge. Verify all info before making any decisions based on the data.