Is Waynesboro Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

Located at the crossroads of adventure, Waynesboro provides direct access to the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Appalachian Trail, and Skyline Drive of Shenandoah National Park.

Waynesboro has long been a stopping point, dating back to the westward expansion after the American Revolution.

Wagons stopped before crossing through the nearest gap in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

The city’s history is pretty standard by Virginia timelines after that, seeing Civil War battles, growing with the advent of the railroad, and getting an economic boost from various industries.

In the modern day, Waynesboro is a city of 22,000 people that caters to millions of travelers each year.

The Blue Ridge Parkway is the most visited National Park Service site in the country, with nearly 17 million drivers annually.

Shenandoah National Park had 1.6 million visitors in 2023.

While Waynesboro is a year-round destination, it’s hard to beat the stunning scenery here in the fall when the colors start to turn.

Spring is abundant with waterfalls and wildflowers in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Even if you’re not very outdoorsy, the city has a robust art scene, from murals to performances at a renovated Vaudeville theater to art galleries.

Warnings & Dangers in Waynesboro

OVERALL RISK: LOW

There's a low risk in Waynesboro from a crime rate perspective, with certain risks in the wilderness if you aren't prepared. However, outdoor lovers will cherish this region.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW

Brite Bus service covers routes around Waynesboro and between Staunton and the city. Taxis and rideshares will be easy to find but not as abundant as you would find in places like Roanoke. A rental car is the best option, especially so you can enjoy the scenic drives that span out from Waynesboro.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW

Two purse snatchings and one pickpocket have been reported in the past five years, which is a low risk. It's especially impressive that the rates are low given how many people come through here with large backpacks and bags. You shouldn't let that give you a false sense of safety.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM

Waynesboro faces risks from flooding, winter storms, hurricanes, and tropical storms that move inland, as well as severe thunderstorms capable of producing tornadoes and wildfires. There's a medium risk here, especially considering how many things there are to do outdoors.

MUGGING RISK: LOW

The robbery rate is low, with no more than 12 happening in a year going back a decade and no more than seven since 2018. The risk is low here, but keep it that way by using basic personal safety measures.

TERRORISM RISK: LOW

The emergency management section of the city's website has a National Terrorism Advisory system status bar, with a link where you can learn about the most updated concerns. The risk is low here, but it's critical to pay attention to your surroundings and report any suspicious activity.

SCAMS RISK: LOW

Check local law enforcement social media sites for the latest scams. The most recent reports involve spoofed phone calls, which is a pretty common tactic scammers use nationwide. Those mostly target residents, giving this a low risk of a tourist being scammed.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

This is another low risk, with women from retirees down to teenagers enjoying the things to do in this region. It's safe for moms traveling with kids or solo travelers, provided you always use basic personal safety measures.

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 2023 Water Quality Report shows no violations and full compliance.

Safest Places to Visit in Waynesboro

The city’s official tourism website is VisitWaynesboro.com.

Even with several other cities in America sharing the same name, you’ll be able to identify this one by the tagline “Where Good Nature Comes Naturally.”

A free tourism guide is available to download on the website, along with a list of suggested itineraries.

Given how many people venture through this city, you should feel comfortable asking locals for places to visit or for hidden gems.

Downtown is the core of the city, with shops, restaurants, and art offerings.

You can learn more about the local events on the Facebook page @destinationdowntownwaynesboro.

The Waynesboro Heritage Museum is in the heart of downtown, with the Plumb House, another museum just down the road.

What sets the house apart from the museum is that it’s the oldest home in the city.

Civil War and Indigenous people exhibits are housed here.

Constitution Park sits right on the river, where local events, Civil War reenactments, and a popular farmer’s market are held.

The park is also in the middle of the new Waynesboro Water Trail, where you can fish or paddle your way between Ridgeview Park and Basic Park.

Sunset Park is one of the newest scenic spots in town, built on top of a capped landfill.

The Blue Ridge Tunnel is a must-see spot near the entrance to Shenandoah National Park.

The nearly mile-long tunnel goes right through Rockfish Gap and hasn’t changed much since it was first built in the mid-1800s.

It was designed as a railroad tunnel but is now open to hikers and cyclists.

The full round-trip hike is 4.5 miles long.

Normally, I don’t get into the minutia of specific restaurants or shops in a city, but Basic City Beer Co. is an exception.

You can find a review of Waynesboro without someone mentioning this place.

It’s a brewery, restaurant, and music venue wrapped into one post-industrial complex.

NOTE: Basic City is one of the “forgotten cities of Virginia” that once competed with Waynesboro.

That “city” became part of Waynesboro, but the spirit lives on in this complex. 

Waynesboro is at the southern end of the 105-mile Skyline Drive through Shenandoah National Park.

The mile markers start at 105 and work their way to zero at the north end.

Blackrock Summit, Chimney Rock, and Turk Mountain are the three closest trailheads to the southern entrance.

On the Blue Ridge Parkway, you’ll start at mile marker 0.

The road goes all the way to Great Smokey Mountains National Park, 469 miles away.

The highest spot on the parkway in Virginia is Apple Orchard Mountain, about 80 miles from Waynesboro.

Places to Avoid in Waynesboro

You don’t need to worry about bad parts of town or dangerous neighborhoods in Waynesboro.

The city is small, and there are not a lot of ways to avoid specific parts of town, anyway!

As the closest town to the northern terminus of the Blue Ridge Parkway, you can expect to get a lot of traffic during busy times of the year.

Plus, it’s just four miles from the A.T., which means there will be hikers walking the side of the roads or sleeping in camps.

They shouldn’t be confused with panhandlers or the homeless population.

Waynesboro is one of the best towns for thru-hikers on the trail.

I see a lot of back and forth about staying in Staunton (12 miles away) or Charlottesville (28 miles away), and the reason to stay in Waynesboro is to be close to all the outdoor options.

Waynesboro is the smallest of the three towns, and Charlottesville is the largest, nearly twice the size of Waynesboro.

Safety Tips for Traveling to Waynesboro

So... How Safe Is Waynesboro Really?

Waynesboro is a safe place to visit.

I’ll give you the crime data momentarily, but there’s a caveat.

Crime rates are determined by taking the population and number of crimes to get a “per 100,000 people” rate.

In small towns like Waynesboro, there’s always a risk that a number can be amplified or understated when inflating crime from 22,000 people to per 100,000.

However, that’s not the biggest issue here.

The bigger (and safer) explanation is that the crime rate doesn’t consider the millions of people who might drive through or stay in Waynesboro each year.

Even as I show you the crime rates, please know they end up being exponentially less based on the people who visit.

The violent crime rate is at the state average, which is 40% lower than the national average.

Crime averages out to one incident per week.

About 60% of violent crimes happen in residential areas, and just 5% of violent crimes involve strangers.

The risk of a tourist being involved in a random act of violence is slim.

The theft rate is about 14% higher than the national average, and that’s a 44% drop in the past decade.

About 45% of all thefts fall into a category called “other,” which can mean stolen construction equipment, items taken from a yard, or campsite thefts.

About one in three thefts involve a car break-in, which is an easy risk to lower by simply locking your car.

The only other risks in Waynesboro and the surrounding region are largely under your control.

Whether it’s driving safety, being prepared for wilderness hikes, or knowing how to handle wildlife interactions, preparing for a trip to Waynesboro should include more than just crime statistics.

If you have survival skills, you’ll definitely love the abundance of things to do outdoors near Waynesboro.

How Does Waynesboro 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

You'll get a robust mix of all four seasons, but you'll also need to plan as much for elevation changes as temperatures from day to night. Bring outdoor clothing that can handle sweat, dirt, and precipitation. Hiking boots are needed for the trails. Winter could lead to snow at higher elevations or even road closures, so always pack emergency supplies just in case. You definitely need bug spray and sunscreen.

Airports

The closest commercial airport to Waynesboro is Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport (SHD), located approximately 14 miles away. Another nearby option is Charlottesville–Albemarle Airport (CHO), situated about 25 miles from Waynesboro. For more extensive travel options, Lynchburg Regional Airport (LYH) is 54 miles away, and Roanoke–Blacksburg Regional Airport (ROA) is 79 miles away. Washington, D.C., is about 140 miles away.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance protects against losing money on baggage loss/theft, delays, cancelations, and emergency health issues. Rental car insurance should include roadside assistance and uninsured motorist coverage. Comprehensive insurance offers the best peace of mind.

Waynesboro Weather Averages (Temperatures)

Average High/Low Temperature

Virginia - Safety by City