Is Roanoke Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

Roanoke, Virginia, offers natural beauty and historical significance in the Blue Ridge Mountains along the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Known as the “Star City of the South,” Roanoke’s iconic Roanoke Star, perched on Mill Mountain, is a symbol of the city’s charm and a beacon visible for miles around.

The city’s history is deeply rooted in the railroad industry, which was pivotal in its development.

Roanoke became a major transportation hub in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, largely due to the influence of the Norfolk and Western Railway.

Roanoke’s downtown area reflects its rich history with beautifully preserved buildings and a vibrant cultural scene.

Several attractions date back to the late 1800s, with green spaces and museums celebrating its rich history.

The city also sits near several key outdoor adventure points, including the Appalachian Trail, the Blue Ridge Parkway, a national forest, the Roanoke River, and Smith Mountain Lake.

This area is particularly diverse for mountain biking options.

The city also brought a musical icon to the American public, as Las Vegas headliner Wayne Newton grew up here and learned to play instruments in his pre-teen years.

Newton has long said that he credits his career in large part to his childhood training in Roanoke.

Warnings & Dangers in Roanoke

OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM

The risk is low in most of Roanoke, but there are some concerning crime statistics we'll discuss as we go through. If you aren't from a big city with typical crime rates, you might want to treat it as a medium risk. You will need to use big city street smarts in this town of 100,000 people.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW

You can get to Roanoke via Amtrak or Greyhound buses. Once here, taxis, rideshares, and robust public transportation through Valley Metro give you plenty of safe options to consider. Rental cars are available and will offer more flexibility to explore the natural wonders nearby.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW

About five pickpockets or purse snatchings are reported each year, making this a low risk. However, the theft rate is high. Use elevated levels of personal safety steps to avoid creating a crime of opportunity.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM

Roanoke faces several natural disaster risks, including flooding, severe thunderstorms, wildfires, and winter storms. The Blue Ridge Mountains can intensify weather patterns, leading to flash floods. You can review the risks and emergency operations plan on the city's website. Most risks come with plenty of advance notice, but treat this as a medium risk.

MUGGING RISK: LOW

Robbery rates are 25% higher than the national average, with about one in three robberies falling into a category that would include muggings. While the risk is low, there's enough potential there to be careful about where you go, what time of day you go there, and what you carry with you.

TERRORISM RISK: LOW

The risk is low, but there is an elevated level of vigilance due to the number of trains that go through the region. These can sometimes carry hazardous materials. Whether it's an intentional attack or accident, the hazmat response is critical to the safety of people in Roanoke. The best way you can help is by reporting any suspicious activity to the local police department.

SCAMS RISK: LOW

Check local law enforcement social media sites for the latest scams. The police department's website has a special section about common scams and fraud attempts, which can help keep the risk low during your visit.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

This answer depends on how used you are to urban areas and basic personal safety steps. While you don't want to walk around any downtown area after dark, that concern should be increased in Roanoke. Solo travelers should stick to well-lit areas around groups of people.

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. The 2024 report for Roanoke breaks down the testing into neighborhood sections and adjacent cities. The risk is low, and all standards were met or exceeded in 2023.

Safest Places to Visit in Roanoke

VisitRoanokeVA.com is the official tourism site.

Keep in mind that this does cover the region, including the city, county, and neighboring communities.

To learn more about downtown Roanoke, there’s a separate website (downtownroanoke.org).

I have to admit; I’m having a hard time not just booking myself a trip to Roanoke as I write this article.

It’s a treasure trove of outdoor adventures.

We’ll start outdoors and work our way back to town.

It’s important to know what entity oversees a particular outdoor area or activity.

For example:

• Blue Ridge Parkway is part of the National Park Service.
• The Forest Service oversees George Washington & Jefferson National Forests.
• The Roanoke River Blueway is overseen by a mix of local, state and regional entities.
• Smith Mountain Lake is a state park.
• The Appalachian Trail Conservancy mainly oversees the length of the A.T., but the trail does go through various forests and parks.

Each entity has specific rules for access, fishing, hiking, and mountain biking.

Experienced outdoor adventurers should consider going for the Virginia Triple Clown, which means tackling three stunning A.T. vistas.

These are Dragon’s Tooth, McAfee Knob, and Tinker Cliffs.

Within those areas, you’ll also find opportunities for rock climbing and bouldering.

For any outdoor activity you want to do, there’s an outfitter and a tour guide that can help you.

Even people with no experience in areas like rock climbing, for example, can get help on a beginner’s route.

Closer to town, Mill Mountain Park should be a must-see on your itinerary.

About 700 feet above the city, this nearly 570-acre mountain includes a zoo, 10 miles of trails, a wildflower garden, and stunning overlooks.

This is also where the famed Roanoke Star is located.

The Taubman Museum of Art, a shining star in Roanoke’s cultural scene, is known for its striking architecture and diverse art collection.

Featuring works from American art to contemporary pieces, it offers a dynamic space for art lovers.

The Virginia Museum of Transportation showcases an impressive array of locomotives, automobiles, and aviation artifacts that tell the story of Virginia’s rich transportation history.

The outdoor rail yard, with its vintage trains, is particularly popular among visitors.

African American heritage is preserved at the Harrison Museum of African American Culture.

The museum frequently hosts educational programs and events, making it a vibrant community hub.

Get a hands-on, immersive experience at the Science Museum of Western Virginia.

From interactive science exhibits to the parakeet garden, it captivates visitors with its engaging displays.

The museum’s EYE Planetarium is a highlight, offering breathtaking shows about the cosmos.

Tickets can be purchased for basic admission or to add on the specialty exhibits.

The City Market Building downtown brings a historical place into modern times with a mix of retail and restaurant options.

The farmer’s market here has been going since 1882 and Saturday nights bring family-friendly events.

Places to Avoid in Roanoke

The easiest way to check for crime hot spots is by using the interactive crime map on the police department’s website.

I’ve done enough travel safety stories that I know the “good crime maps” from the “confusing crime map,” and Roanoke uses a good one.

All you have to do is enter the types of crimes you wish to search for, an address to search around, and the timeframe for the most recent crimes.

For example, I always check for car break-ins within half a mile of my hotel.

As police work with the community to reduce violent crime, there’s a focus on a specific part of the city.

“We’re in an epidemic of gun violence, and a lot of the contributing factors to that, especially in Northwest Roanoke, if you look at the social economic conditions, they have not changed,” said Brenda Hale, longtime president of the Roanoke branch of the NAACP.

In Roanoke, one in five people lives in poverty.

If you’re in a neighborhood impacted by the effects of poverty, gangs, drugs, or other violent crime-inducing factors, you’ll be able to see that it’s not a good part of town.

Safety Tips for Traveling to Roanoke

So... How Safe Is Roanoke Really?

The last official crime data we have at the time of publication is from 2022, but we do have some insight into 2023 and early 2024.

In 2022, the violent crime rate was 56% higher than the national average and 153% higher than the state average.

Keep in mind that Virginia is one of the safest states in the country, which explains the gap in the state rate.

Over the previous five years, less than 12% of the violent crime victims were unknown to their assailant.

Another 47% of violent crimes happen in private homes.

That means there isn’t a high risk of random acts of violence.

In 2023, the homicide rate reached 31, an all-time high, which is also more than four times the national average.

While there are several layers of issues with crime rates and trust in the police department that go back many years in Roanoke, there’s a new police chief in town as of 2023.

He’s vowing to cut crime down, and by mid-2024, it appears to be working.

“We’re building models that will allow us to be much more focused and directed in areas where crime is occurring and areas where there is a perception of crime,” Chief Scott Booth said.

It’s worth noting that Chief Booth helped Danville’s high crime rate get more under control during his tenure.

Probably one of the bigger concerns for a Roanoke visitor is the petty crime rate, specifically theft, which is 135% higher than the national average.

Shoplifting makes up 24% of all thefts, with car break-ins accounting for 20%.

Here’s the thing, and it’s a nationwide pattern – the bulk of car break-ins are because someone either left the door unlocked, the keys in the car, or a valuable (like a gun or a mobile device) in plain sight.

Removing all your stuff and locking your car doors is the single easiest thing anyone can do to be safer in any American community.

If you were moving to Roanoke, this article would play differently.

However, for visiting Roanoke, simple safety steps and sticking to the places designed for visitors should mean a safer and more enjoyable trip for everyone.

How Does Roanoke 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. Also, 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

While Roanoke is a mountain town, it's more surrounded by mountains than in the mountains. With an elevation of less than 1,000 feet, the four seasons are more standard, and winter snow is minimal. Summers can be hot and humid. However, elevations around Roanoke can reach nearly 4,000 feet. Pack various layers of clothing to adapt to changing temperatures, and bring hiking boots with trekking poles. Bug spray is a must.

Airports

Roanoke Blacksburg Regional Airport is just five miles from the center of the city. You can get to an international airport in Charlotte or Washington, D.C., in about 3–4 hours by car.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance protects you from baggage theft/loss, delays, cancellations, and emergency health issues. Rental car insurance should include roadside assistance and uninsured motorist coverage. Comprehensive insurance offers the best peace of mind.

Roanoke Weather Averages (Temperatures)

Average High/Low Temperature

Virginia - Safety by City