About 98,000 people call Montgomery County, Virginia, in the southwestern region of the state, home. The public research university Virginia Tech is located in Blacksburg, which is why the city is famous. The Appalachian Trail, the New River, and Jefferson National Forest are just a few of the stunning natural attractions in the county.
The safety of some parts of Montgomery County is questionable, though. The county’s crime rate is significantly higher than the national average, at 110.8 per 1,000 population, according to CrimeGrade.org.
As a whole, the county’s crime rating is F, placing it in the very safe fourth percentile. Compared to 96% of counties, it’s not as safe, and only 4% are much riskier.
Merrimac
Nearly 2,100 people call Merrimac, a town in the county’s southeastern corner, home. A total of 64.5 crimes per 1,000 inhabitants puts it 42% above the county average and 184% above the U.S. average.
With 97.6 occurrences per 1,000 inhabitants, the rate of violent crimes is an astounding 776% greater than the average in the country. The rate of property offenses is 125% greater than the national average, with 51.4 incidences per 1,000 residents. Merrimac has a victim probability of 1 in 16.
Christiansburg
Approximately 22,000 people call the town of Christiansburg, which is located in central Montgomery County, home. Being the county seat, it is also the largest town in the area.
Compared to the rest of the county (47% lower) and the country (193% higher), Christiansburg’s crime rate of 66.1 per 1,000 residents is much higher. A rate of 15.9 violent crimes per 1,000 people is 27% greater than the U.S. average.
With 50.2% of all crimes being property-related, the rate is 120 percent greater than the U.S. average. In Christiansburg, you have a 1 in 15 chance of being a victim of a crime.
Elliston
Located in the county’s northwest corner, the little town of Elliston is home to about 900 residents. The crime rate is greater than the county and national averages, which is a major concern.
The overall crime rate stands at 67.8 incidences per 1,000 residents, above both the county and national averages by 51% and 199%, respectively. In particular, there is a violent crime rate that is 78% greater than the national average, standing at 22.2 per 1,000 persons. There are 45.6 reported incidents of property crime per 1,000 people, which is 99% worse than the U.S. average.
Shawsville
Approximately 1,300 people call the town of Shawsville, located in the county’s northeastern corner, home. Here, the crime rate stands at 76.9 per 1,000 people, significantly surpassing both the county and national averages by 69% and 230%, respectively.
At 30.8% per 1,000 people, the violent crime rate is 129 percent greater than the U.S. average. At 46.2% per 1,000 people, the property crime rate is 102% greater than the U.S. average. In Shawsville, you have a 1 in 13 chance of becoming a victim of a crime.
Blacksburg
Located in southern Montgomery County, the town of Blacksburg is home to about 44,000 people. It is the county seat and largest town, and it is also the site of Virginia Tech. Blacksburg has a crime rate of 85.8 per 1,000 people, which is 261% more than the national average and 86% higher than the county average.
There is a 37% higher rate of violent crime per 1,000 residents compared to the national average (17.7 per 1,000). There is an 181% increase over the national average in property crime, with a rate of 68.1 per 1,000 residents. One in twelve Blacksburg residents will become a victim of a crime.
Conclusion
Montgomery County is home to beautiful parks and a vibrant student body at Virginia Tech. Having said that, the crime rate there is greater than the average in the country. The alarmingly high rates of violent crime in several communities, including Merrimac, Christiansburg, Elliston, and Shawsville, are cause for concern.
The largest town, Blacksburg, is not immune to the unusually high crime rate. Always use caution and keep your senses sharp when traveling through Montgomery County. Visitors and locals alike may do their part to keep themselves safe by learning about their communities and keeping up with crime statistics.