Is Blacksburg Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

Blacksburg, Virginia, sits in the shadow of the Allegheny Ridge of the Appalachian Mountains.

It is home to Virginia Tech, one of the leading research universities in the United States.

A wealth of outdoor adventures around it, including George Washington & Jefferson National Forests and the famous New River.

In fact, New River Gorge National Park, Shenandoah National Park, and the Blue Ridge Parkway can all be accessed within two hours of Blacksburg.

In town, you’ll find historical footprints mixed with youthful energy and an innovative spirit.

• Downtown Blacksburg: The heart of the town is known for its historic charm and lively vibe, especially after dark. It boasts a range of shops, cultural venues, bars, and restaurants.
• North Main Street: This is a vibrant area with a mix of residential neighborhoods and commercial establishments. This part of town is closest to the mountains.
• South Main Street Here, you will find a more suburban section of town near the south community entrance. It’s a hub for both locals and visitors, providing easy access to everyday conveniences.
• Prices Fork: This is a residential and agricultural area with a rural feel. It combines scenic landscapes with modern developments and is the closest to the New River.
• Virginia Tech Campus: The campus is a dynamic center of education and innovation. Plus, some of the best museums in town are here.

Blacksburg, Virginia, was settled in 1798 by William Black, who donated land for the town – 16 blocks, to be exact, a number that will be important to know when you visit.

The town grew significantly with the establishment of Virginia Tech in 1872.

It also marked one of the easiest ways to cross the eastern continental divide long before cars or roads were a thing.

While sometimes this can be a throwaway line, there is truly something for everyone in Blacksburg and the surrounding region.

Warnings & Dangers in Blacksburg

OVERALL RISK: LOW

There’s a low risk in Blacksburg and plenty to do, whether you like history, arts, cuisine, or outdoor adventures.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW

Blacksburg Transit is the city's public bus system. Taxis and rideshares are available, especially near campus. You can also rent a car to explore more. All options come with a low risk.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW

With just three pickpockets or purse snatchings reported over the past five years, the risk is low in Blacksburg. However, you should keep using smart personal safety measures to keep the risk low.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM

Blacksburg faces medium natural disaster risks, including flooding, winter storms, and occasional tornadoes. The town's location in the Blue Ridge Mountains reduces the likelihood of hurricanes, but storms that move onshore can still transition to rainmakers and storm boosters. The mountains also increase vulnerability to heavy snowfall and ice storms, which can cause power outages and hazardous travel conditions.

MUGGING RISK: LOW

Looking back all the way to 2013, Blacksburg hasn’t had more than four robberies in a single year. The risk is low, but you should still take safety steps, such as not walking around alone at night.

TERRORISM RISK: LOW

Blacksburg has a low terrorism risk. As a smaller town with a focus on education and technology, it lacks high-profile targets. Virginia Tech's robust security measures further mitigate potential threats, ensuring a safe environment for residents and students.

SCAMS RISK: LOW

Check local law enforcement social media sites for the latest scams. One prominent scam in Blacksburg is a bait and switch on social media. This happens when a post shows something like a missing child, hurt dog, or sick person, and the poster encourages you to “share” the information. After the post gains enough traction, the original poster then changes the topic to a rental listing or scam website. Knowing the common tactics keeps the risk low, and Blacksburg PD does a great job of reporting scams.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

Blacksburg, Virginia, is generally safe for women travelers. Virginia Tech saw 46 reports of either rape or fondling on campus in 2022. The university has a safety website page showing safety measures and reporting guidance about sexual assault - so many resources are available. All those incidents happened on campus. Eleven sexual assaults were reported in the city, which is half the national average when figured per 100,000 people. It’s also worth noting that according to five years of violent crime data, women are 30% more likely to be the victim of crimes, though many of those are domestic situations. Use extra personal safety tactics, especially near bars or entertainment districts, to keep the risk low.

TAP WATER RISK: LOW

The U.S. has strict standards for tap water per the Safe Water Drinking Act. Communities are required to provide a Water Quality Report (Consumer Confidence Report) once a year by July 1. No violations were reported in the 2023 report for Blacksburg, and all standards were met or exceeded. The one thing to consider is letting a stagnant faucet run for a few minutes if you’re staying in a building with older pipes. That’s because lead can gather in the pipes.

Safest Places to Visit in Blacksburg

“Step Into Blacksburg” is the name of the tourist website.

A visitor’s guide is available to download without giving personal information.

Downtown Blacksburg has its own website, too.

As you would expect, downtown is the hub of activity for Blacksburg.

One of the things I like best about downtown Blacksburg is that it gives off different vibes as you explore.

Some sections feel like a quintessential college town.

Turn a corner, and you’re back in a different era, enjoying historic sights.

Just across the street, an artsy vibe takes over.

If you want to get the best overview of history while stretching your legs, look for a map of the Original 16 Blocks.

This walking tour takes you to some of the oldest homes and most historically significant spots.

There’s also the 16 Frogs Tour, which is a great way to walk around downtown, find the frog statues and learn their symbolic meaning.

The Victorian-style Alexander Black House & Cultural Center, also known as the “Blacksburg Museum,” is on the 16 Blocks route.

The museum also includes a separate building at St. Luke & Odd Fellows Hall, which houses the Museum of African American Heritage in Blacksburg.

The Museum of Geosciences at Virginia Tech offers an extensive collection of minerals, fossils, and geological specimens.

It serves as an educational resource for students and the public, showcasing the Earth’s history and the processes shaping our planet.

Smithfield Plantation is a restored 18th-century plantation home that provides a glimpse into colonial life.

Visitors can explore period furnishings, historical artifacts, and lush gardens, all while learning about the area’s early settlers and the Preston family’s legacy.

When you want to head outside, the Huckleberry Trail is a six-mile path for walking, running, and cycling.

However, I strongly encourage anyone fit and adventurous enough to leave town.

You don’t even need to go that far!

Within 30 minutes, you can explore George Washington & Jefferson National Forests.

Angel’s Rest Trail, Bald Knob, and Cascade Falls are three of the most popular stops near Blacksburg, all in the same area.

Head northeast to Dragons Tooth Trailhead and walk the famous Appalachian Trail.

New River Junction is the place to be in the summer, with campsites and tubing available.

While the New River is known for epic whitewater rafting, that’s not the case on this stretch of river.

You’d want to head closer to New River Gorge National Park in West Virginia, which is about two hours away.

Places to Avoid in Blacksburg

Blacksburg is a safe town without dangerous neighborhoods or sketchy areas.

That doesn’t mean you should throw caution to the wind, but you should feel safe going for an early morning run or walking around with a group at night.

Avoid going to George Washington & Jefferson National Forests without planning.

All national forests cover immense stretches of land, with particular day-use areas scattered throughout.

There are separate ranger districts that break up the forests into sections.

The one closest to Blacksburg is the Eastern Divide Ranger District.

Aside from state highways, roads in a national forest can be rudimentary and remote.

If you find a wilderness area you want to explore, you should know that those areas have no roads and few trails.

The goal of a wilderness area is to keep it in its raw form, and roads or carved trails go against that goal.

Those looking to drive part of the Blue Ridge Parkway should know the closest access point is about an hour from Blacksburg at Bent Mountain Road and Callaway Road in Bent Mountain.

Safety Tips for Traveling to Blacksburg

So... How Safe Is Blacksburg Really?

Blacksburg ranks as one of the safest small towns in America while also being known for one of the deadliest mass shootings in U.S. history at Virginia Tech in 2007.

The latest official crime data we have for Blacksburg is from 2022.

Even though the shooting was a long time ago, we did get the crime stats for Virginia Tech, but again, the latest data was from 2022.

In Blacksburg, the violent crime rate was 81% lower than the state average and 89% lower than the national average.

Just 15% of violent crimes over the past five years were against strangers, further lowering the risk for a visitor.

Virginia Tech had as many violent crimes as the city in 2022, but all but one of those were sexual assaults.

Liquor law violations were the largest category of crimes on campus, averaging 11 per week.

Between burglaries and car thefts, the campus only had a dozen in 2022.

The city’s theft rate was 63% lower than the national average.

About 24% of all thefts off campus were related to car break-ins.

Blacksburg’s crime rate has consistently been ranked lower than most cities of similar size in America, and it often appears on the list of the safest cities.

That is in addition to Virginia being in the top 10 list of the safest states.

Common sense goes a long way to having a great time in Blacksburg, Virginia.

How Does Blacksburg Compare?

Useful Information

Visas

All international visitors need either a visa defining the purpose of the trip (tourist, work, school, etc.) or a visa waiver. Start the process using the Visa Wizard module on the U.S. State Department website. You’ll quickly find out which one you need. Also, keep in mind that your passport must be valid for at least six months after your trip, or you’ll need to apply for a new one.

Currency

Only the U.S. Dollar (USD) is accepted in the United States. International airports usually have a currency exchange desk on site, while regional airports won’t. Your home bank offers the lowest fees. For those using credit cards, check to see if there’s a foreign transaction fee before you start racking up charges.

Weather

The weather here isn’t ever really too cold or too hot, at least on average. Summers get into the low 80s F, and winters get below freezing for lows but stay in the 40s - almost 50° F some days. Blacksburg won’t get a lot of snow in an average year, but the surrounding mountains will. Be sure to pack bug spray and hiking boots.

Airports

The closest commercial airport to Blacksburg, VA, is Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport (ROA), approximately 40 miles northeast of Blacksburg. The large Charlotte Douglas International Airport has many direct flights domestically and internationally, and that’s about a two-and-a-half-hour drive.

Travel Insurance

We recommend comprehensive travel insurance because it offers the best protection and peace of mind. Rental car insurance should include roadside assistance. If you don’t have health coverage in the U.S., get a policy in case of an emergency.

Blacksburg Weather Averages (Temperatures)

Average High/Low Temperature

Virginia - Safety by City