South Hill, VA Crime Rates

An Overview of Crime Rates in South Hill, VA

When we analyze the latest crime report, the South Hill crime rate is 100.7% higher than the national average. These incidents are classified into two primary categories: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes include assault, robbery, rape and murder. Whereas property crimes encompass theft, vehicle theft and burglary. In the case of South Hill, there were 27 reported violent crimes, equivalent to 570 per 100,000 individuals, 54.1% higher than the national average. Additionally, South Hill recorded 194 property crimes, amounting to 4095 per 100,000 residents, 109.6% higher than the U.S. average.

In South Hill, the crime rate stands at 4665 per 100,000 residents, surpassing the national average by 100.73%. This places the city among those with some of the highest total crime rates nationwide. However, it's important to recognize that this doesn't imply that the entire city is unsafe. As with any urban area, there are neighborhoods in South Hill that exhibit varying levels of safety, emphasizing the need for localized crime prevention efforts and community involvement to create a safe environment across the entire city.

While murder rates in the United States have shown a consistent decline since 1990, recent years have witnessed an increase. Unfortunately, South Hill ranks among the cities with the highest murder rates in the nation, when compared to all reporting cities in the U.S. In South Hill, there were a total of 3 murders, translating to 63 murders per 100,000 residents. This alarming statistic underscores the need for heightened attention to community safety and crime prevention efforts in the area.

South Hill reports one of the nation's highest property crime rates, with 4095 incidents per 100,000 people, positioning it among the worst 10% of American cities reporting crime. This unfortunate statistic translates to a 1 in 25 chance of falling victim to property crime in South Hill, significantly surpassing the national average. These figures underscore the city's challenges in combating property-related offenses, necessitating a concerted effort to enhance security and community safety.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in South Hill?

AreaVibes conducted surveys inquiring about the safety perception of South Hill residents. Out of the respondents (7 in total), 43% expressed a strong sense of security, believing that crime rates in South Hill were low, and they felt comfortable walking alone at night. Conversely, 57% held a contrasting viewpoint, expressing concerns about safety in the area and feeling uncomfortable walking alone during the nighttime hours.

Is South Hill a Safe Place to Live?

Is South Hill a safe place to live? While the answer may not be straightforward due to variations in safety levels across the city, gaining an understanding of the overall crime rate can prove to be advantageous. In general, South Hill has a crime rate that is higher than the national average by 101%. Breaking this down on a daily basis, it translates to 0.61 daily incidents, encompassing 0.07 violent crimes and 0.53 property crimes. Evaluating these statistics can aid in forming a more informed perspective on the safety of South Hill as a potential place to call home.

Has Crime in South Hill Increased Since Last Year?

Year-over-year crime data allows residents and potential residents to assess the crime in South Hill. A decrease in crime rates may indicate improving safety, while an increase could raise concerns. The year-over-year crime rate in South Hill has increased by 16.9%. Violent crimes have increased by 92.9%, while property crimes have increased by 10.9%. By comparing crime rates from one year to the next, authorities and communities can identify trends and patterns in criminal activity. This helps in understanding whether crime is increasing, decreasing, or remaining stable over time.

Potential Causes for Crime in South Hill

If employment opportunities are limited or if many jobs offer low wages, it can lead to higher rates of unemployment and underemployment, which could lead to an increase in South Hill crime rates. Areas where individuals struggle with unemployment or low wages, may be more susceptible to an increase in criminal activities as a result of financial insecurity. While lower rates of unemployment or a surplus of job opportunities could lead to a decrease in crime as their basic needs are being met. South Hill has an unemployment rate of 2.8%, compared to a national average of 4.7%.

High cost of living can lead to economic stress for individuals and families, particularly those with limited financial resources. When people struggle to make ends meet due to high housing costs, healthcare expenses, or other basic necessities, they may be more inclined to engage in criminal activities, such as theft or fraud, as a means of financial survival. On the flipside, cities that have a lower cost of living, could see a reduced crime rate. In South Hill, the cost of living is 9.75% lower than the national average.

South Hill has an average rental rate of $750 per month, compared to the national average of $949. In areas with high rental costs, some individuals and families may be forced to live in overcrowded or substandard housing conditions. Overcrowding can lead to increased stress and tension, which may contribute to domestic disputes and related property or violent crimes. Addressing affordable housing and economic mobility can be important strategies for reducing crime in such areas.

South Hill crime map