Albemarle County, located in central Virginia, is known for its beautiful landscapes and history. It’s home to the University of Virginia and Monticello, Thomas Jefferson’s estate. However, not all areas in the county are equally safe.
Looking at crime statistics and maps, some neighborhoods experience higher rates of violent and property crimes. Here are the top five neighborhoods in Albemarle County with higher crime rates.
| Neighborhood | Crime per capita |
| Crozet | 30 |
| Scottsville | 31 |
| Pantops | 33 |
| Hollymead | 36 |
| Esmont | 42 |
Crozet
Crozet is a little town in the western part of the county. It’s famous for its wineries, breweries, and orchards. However, it also has a higher rate of crime, especially when it comes to property crimes. The crime per person in Crozet is 29.7, which is more than the average for the whole county, which is 21.14.
The town gets its name from Colonel Claudius Crozet, a civil engineer from France. He oversaw the building of the Blue Ridge Tunnel, linking Crozet to Waynesboro.
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Scottsville
Scottsville, a historic town in the southern part of the county, sits by the James River. It used to be the main town but lost that role to Charlottesville in 1761. Scottsville has a crime rate of 31.2 per person, which is higher than the county average.
NeighborhoodScout
In the past, Scottsville was the main town for Albemarle County, but in 1761, Charlottesville took over that position. It was also a Confederate hospital during the Civil War.
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Pantops
Pantops is a neighborhood on the east side of the county, next to Charlottesville. It’s a mix of homes and businesses, with lots of stores, restaurants, and hotels. The crime rate in Pantops is 33.4 per person, which is higher than the county average.
The Thomas Jefferson Center for the Protection of Free Speech is in Pantops. It’s a nonprofit group that supports free speech and gives out Jefferson Muzzles each year to people who go against it.
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Hollymead
Hollymead is a neighborhood in the northern part of the county, close to the Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport. It’s a growing and prosperous community with new buildings, businesses, and schools. The crime rate in Hollymead is 35.6 per person, almost twice the county average.
The name Hollymead comes from the Hollymead plantation, once owned by the Meriwether family, who were related to explorer Meriwet
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Esmont
Esmont is a quiet rural area in the southwest part of the county, close to the Nelson County border. It doesn’t have many people, and economically, it faces challenges. In the past, there were issues with racial segregation and violence. The crime rate in Esmont is 41.9 per capita, which is the highest in the county and almost twice the national average.
Also, in 1925, a tragic event—a lynching—occurred in Esmont, highlighting its history of racial tensions. On a positive note, the Esmont Community Center, originally built in 1927 as a school for African American children, is now a historic landmark. Today, it serves as a venue for cultural events.
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To Conclude
Albemarle County is a beautiful place with history, but not all areas are equally safe. The data shows that five neighborhoods have higher crime rates, each facing its own issues. Crozet, Scottsville, Pantops, and Hollymead deal with problems like property crime and economic disparities.
Esmont has historical challenges to address too. It’s important to understand these differences. To make the county safer and fairer, we can invest in community programs, create economic opportunities, and recognize historical injustices.
The goal is to ensure everyone feels safe in their neighborhoods and preserve the beauty of Albemarle County.
