Prince William County in Virginia is recognized for its rapid expansion and substantial size, with a population surpassing 470,000 and a median household income exceeding $100,000.
However, safety and peace levels vary across its neighborhoods. This article focuses on the five most dangerous neighborhoods in Prince William County, as determined by data from CrimeGrade.org.
| Neighborhood | Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents) | Property Crimes (2020) | Violent Crimes (2020) |
| Dale City | 63 | 4,602 | 353 |
| Woodbridge | 59 | 3,178 | 224 |
| Manassas | 46 | 1,489 | 121 |
| Dumfries | 45 | 333 | 38 |
| Occoquan | 44 | 43 | 4 |
Dale City
Situated in the eastern part of Prince William County, near the border with Fairfax County, Dale City is a suburban community that is home to around 73,000 residents living in single-family homes and townhouses.
Regrettably, Dale City has the unfortunate distinction of having the highest crime rate in the county, with 62.97 crimes per 1,000 residents. This neighborhood is particularly vulnerable to property crimes, including burglary, theft, and motor vehicle theft.
In the year 2020 alone, Dale City reported 4,602 property crimes, representing a staggering 20% of all property crimes within the county. Additionally, it experiences a high incidence of violent crimes such as robbery, assault, and rape, with 353 reported cases in 2020, constituting 18% of all violent crimes countywide.
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Woodbridge
Woodbridge, located in the eastern part of Prince William County near Fairfax County, is a suburban community with approximately 54,000 residents primarily residing in apartments and condominiums.
Woodbridge holds the second position in the county for its crime rate, registering 58.94 crimes per 1,000 residents.
The area contends with both property and violent crimes, particularly experiencing a significant number of robberies. In 2020, Woodbridge recorded 224 robberies, accounting for a substantial 28% of all such incidents in the county.
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Manassas
Manassas, situated in the western part of Prince William County near Manassas Park City, is an urban area with around 40,000 residents primarily living in single-family homes and apartments.
In terms of crime rate within the county, Manassas ranks third, reporting 46.36 crimes per 1,000 residents. In 2019, the most recent year for available data, Manassas recorded 1,489 property crimes, constituting 6% of all such incidents in the county.
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Dumfries
Dumfries, located in the eastern part of Prince William County near the border with Stafford County, is a suburban area with around 5,000 residents predominantly residing in single-family homes and townhouses. In terms of crime rate, Dumfries is ranked fourth in the county, experiencing 44.59 crimes per 1,000 residents.
In 2020, Dumfries recorded 111 incidents of motor vehicle theft, constituting 12% of all such cases in the county. Additionally, Dumfries contends with various forms of violent crimes, including robbery, assault, and rape, with 38 reported cases in 2020.
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Occoquan
Occoquan, situated in the eastern part of Prince William County near the Fairfax County border, is a historic town with around 1,000 residents predominantly residing in single-family homes and townhouses.
The town ranks fifth in the county for its crime rate, recording 43.87 crimes per 1,000 residents. In 2020, the town reported 43 thefts, constituting 4% of all such occurrences in the county.
Additionally, Occoquan experiences a relatively low but noteworthy rate of violent crimes, including robbery, assault, and rape, with four reported cases in the year 2020.
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On the other hand, there are also many safe and peaceful neighborhoods in Prince William County, such as Nokesville, Haymarket, and Gainesville, that offer a high quality of life and a low risk of crime.
Final Words
Although Prince William County showcases impressive prosperity and population growth, the safety of its residents varies significantly among neighborhoods. Dale City, Woodbridge, Manassas, Dumfries, and Occoquan, identified as the county’s top five areas with the highest crime rates, grapple with property and violent crimes to varying extents.
Dale City stands out with an alarmingly high overall crime rate and a prevalence of property crimes, posing the most significant safety concerns.
Meanwhile, Woodbridge faces challenges with robberies, Manassas deals with property crimes in general, Dumfries confronts issues with motor vehicle theft and violent crime, and Occoquan experiences a notable rate of theft along with a lower but still present incidence of violent crime.
To effectively address these disparities and ensure the safety of all residents, Prince William County must implement targeted crime prevention strategies tailored to the specific needs of each neighborhood.
