Loudoun County, situated in the northern part of Virginia, stands as the third most populous county in the state, encompassing an expansive 521 square miles. The county’s hub, Leesburg, serves as both the county seat and the largest town. It is a significant part of the Washington metropolitan area and acts as the region’s historical and cultural heart.
Within Loudoun County, you’ll find a blend of urban and rural lifestyles, featuring picturesque landscapes, historic sites, wineries, breweries, and farms. Nonetheless, the county also grapples with certain challenges related to crime and safety, with some neighborhoods reporting higher rates of both violent and property crimes than others.
Here, we shed light on these concerns and identify the five most precarious neighborhoods in Loudoun County, Virginia, based on the latest available crime data.
5. Sterling
Nestled along the Potomac River in eastern Loudoun County, Sterling is a census-designated place (CDP) with a population of approximately 28,000 residents and a median household income of $86,000, slightly above the county’s $82,000 average. Sterling offers a suburban lifestyle, complete with businesses, schools, parks, and churches.
Nevertheless, it contends with a comparatively higher crime rate when compared to other parts of the county. According to the Loudoun County Crime Map, Sterling reported 1,096 crimes in 2020, yielding a crime rate of 39.1 per 1,000 residents. Of these, 127 were violent crimes (4.5 per 1,000), and 969 were property crimes (34.6 per 1,000), surpassing the county average of 21.7 per 1,000 residents.
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4. Ashburn
Central Loudoun County hosts Ashburn, a CDP with around 43,000 residents and a median household income of $120,000, well above the county’s $82,000 average. Ashburn is an affluent neighborhood featuring prominent high-tech companies like Verizon, Amazon Web Services, and Telos, alongside cultural and recreational attractions such as the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, the One Loudoun Town Center, and the Brambleton Town Center.
Despite its prosperity, Ashburn grapples with a relatively high crime rate compared to other county areas. In 2020, Ashburn reported 1,210 crimes, resulting in a crime rate of 28.1 per 1,000 residents. Among these, 103 were violent crimes (2.4 per 1,000), and 1,107 were property crimes (25.7 per 1,000), exceeding the county average of 21.7 per 1,000 residents.
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3. Leesburg
Western Loudoun County houses Leesburg, a town with a population of approximately 53,000 residents and a median household income of $103,000, above the county’s $82,000 average. Leesburg boasts a rich historical heritage and numerous attractions, including the Morven Park Estate, Oatlands Historic House and Gardens, and the Leesburg Animal Park. It also plays host to various events throughout the year, such as the Leesburg Flower and Garden Festival, the Leesburg Airshow, and the Leesburg Halloween Parade.
However, Leesburg contends with a relatively high crime rate compared to other county regions. In 2020, the town reported 1,838 crimes, resulting in a crime rate of 34.6 per 1,000 residents. Of these, 189 were violent crimes (3.6 per 1,000), and 1,649 were property crimes (31 per 1,000), surpassing the county average of 21.7 per 1,000 residents.
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2. Purcellville
Northwest Loudoun County is home to Purcellville, a charming town with around 10,000 residents and a median household income of $119,000, well above the county’s $82,000 average. Purcellville boasts wineries, breweries, farms, and cultural and historical attractions such as the Fireman’s Field, the Franklin Park Performing and Visual Arts Center, and the Purcellville Train Station.
Nevertheless, Purcellville faces a relatively high crime rate compared to other county areas. In 2020, the town reported 150 crimes, yielding a crime rate of 15 per 1,000 residents. Among these, 12 were violent crimes (1.2 per 1,000), and 138 were property crimes (13.8 per 1,000), though still lower than the county average of 21.7 per 1,000 residents, it remains higher than most other towns in the county.
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1. South Riding
Located in southeast Loudoun County along Route 50, South Riding stands as a census-designated place with a population of approximately 24,000 residents and a median household income of $142,000, the highest in the county. South Riding is an affluent neighborhood boasting luxury homes, golf courses, and shopping centers. Additionally, it offers community amenities such as the South Riding Town Hall, the South Riding Proprietary, and the South Riding Swim and Tennis Center
. Despite its affluence, South Riding experiences the highest crime rate in the county. In 2020, the area reported 3,479 crimes, resulting in a crime rate of 144.9 per 1,000 residents. Of these, 243 were violent crimes (10.1 per 1,000), and 3,236 were property crimes (134.8 per 1,000), exceeding the county average by over sixfold at 21.7 per 1,000 residents.
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Conclusion
These findings reveal the five most precarious neighborhoods in Loudoun County, Virginia, grounded in the most recent crime data. While these neighborhoods offer several positive attributes and the potential for improvement, they also present substantial risks and challenges for both residents and visitors.
Hence, it is essential for anyone living in or visiting these neighborhoods to exercise caution, remain vigilant, and minimize their exposure to potential criminal activity and violence.