#1Merrimac
unincorporated, Montgomery County · 2,733 peopleHazard risk grade, among the top in the U.S.·Overall A− · #107 of 249 in VA
Merrimac, #1 on this list · Earhart House · Photo: Skye Marthaler · CC BY-SA 3.0Virginia rankings · Hazard risk
Towns with the lowest natural-hazard risk in Virginia
Merrimac ranks first on hazard risk among Virginia’s 253 towns of 2,500+; 159 of the 253 grade A− or better on hazard risk nationally.
The Hazard risk grade: FEMA’s expected yearly loss to buildings from natural hazards, where residents live (National Risk Index). How grades work
#1A+
#2Blacksburg
Montgomery County · 45,104 peopleHazard risk grade, among the top in the U.S.·Overall A− · college campus
#3Christiansburg
Montgomery County · 22,442 peopleHazard risk grade, among the top in the U.S.·Overall B · #144 of 249 in VA
All 253 towns
Hazard risk grade, best first (the letter is national). Towns with the same score share a rank; the overall grade and state rank are beside each.
253 towns ranked. Not here? See why a town may be missing.
#TownGradeOverall
1Merrimacunincorporated, Montgomery County · 2,733 peopleA+among the top in the U.S.·Overall A− · #107 of 249
4Arcolaunincorporated, Loudoun County · 3,509 peopleA+among the top in the U.S.·Overall A+ · #14 of 249
5Fort Belvoirunincorporated, Fairfax County · 8,449 peopleA+among the top in the U.S.·Overall A− · #86 of 249
6Quantico Baseunincorporated, Prince William County · 5,840 peopleA+among the top in the U.S.·No overall grade
7Dulles Town Centerunincorporated, Loudoun County · 5,464 peopleA+among the top in the U.S.·Overall A · #69 of 249
8George Mason College campusunincorporated, Fairfax County · 9,937 peopleA+better than 98% of U.S. towns·Overall A−
9Tysonsunincorporated, Fairfax County · 28,936 peopleA+better than 98% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #55 of 249
10Seven Cornersunincorporated, Fairfax County · 9,371 peopleA+better than 98% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #89 of 249
11Kingstowneunincorporated, Fairfax County · 18,360 peopleA+better than 98% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #40 of 249
13Long Branchunincorporated, Fairfax County · 7,034 peopleA+better than 97% of U.S. towns·Overall A+ · #4 of 249
14Montroseunincorporated, Henrico County · 8,285 peopleA+better than 97% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #203 of 249
15Sandstonunincorporated, Henrico County · 7,399 peopleA+better than 97% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #191 of 249
16Innsbrookunincorporated, Henrico County · 8,578 peopleA+better than 97% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #111 of 249
17Merrifieldunincorporated, Fairfax County · 20,698 peopleA+better than 97% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #36 of 249
18Hutchisonunincorporated, Fairfax County · 7,284 peopleA+better than 97% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #124 of 249
19Timberlakeunincorporated, Campbell County · 12,725 peopleA+better than 97% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #73 of 249
20East Highland Parkunincorporated, Henrico County · 15,265 peopleA+better than 97% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #192 of 249
22University of Virginia College campusunincorporated, Albemarle County · 9,065 peopleA+better than 97% of U.S. towns·Overall A
23Idylwoodunincorporated, Fairfax County · 17,559 peopleA+better than 96% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #41 of 249
25Sterlingunincorporated, Loudoun County · 32,411 peopleA+better than 96% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #82 of 249
26Woodburnunincorporated, Fairfax County · 9,503 peopleA+better than 96% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #87 of 249
27McNairunincorporated, Fairfax County · 22,655 peopleA+better than 96% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #31 of 249
28Bailey's Crossroadsunincorporated, Fairfax County · 24,271 peopleA+better than 96% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #136 of 249
29Lake Wildernessunincorporated, Spotsylvania County · 3,139 peopleA+better than 96% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #92 of 249
30Franconiaunincorporated, Fairfax County · 18,335 peopleA+better than 96% of U.S. towns·Overall A+ · #5 of 249
31Virginia BeachVirginia Beach city · 453,737 peopleA+better than 96% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #130 of 249
32Loudoun Valley Estatesunincorporated, Loudoun County · 10,271 peopleA+better than 96% of U.S. towns·Overall A+ · #10 of 249
34Springfieldunincorporated, Fairfax County · 31,154 peopleA+better than 95% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #115 of 249
35One Loudoununincorporated, Loudoun County · 3,309 peopleA+better than 95% of U.S. towns·Overall A+ · #12 of 249
37University Centerunincorporated, Loudoun County · 3,923 peopleAbetter than 95% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #63 of 249
39Highland Springsunincorporated, Henrico County · 14,296 peopleAbetter than 94% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #204 of 249
41Lincolniaunincorporated, Fairfax County · 20,320 peopleAbetter than 94% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #78 of 249
43Sugarland Rununincorporated, Loudoun County · 12,629 peopleAbetter than 93% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #38 of 249
44Restonunincorporated, Fairfax County · 64,414 peopleAbetter than 93% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #35 of 249
46WilliamsburgWilliamsburg city · 15,861 peopleAbetter than 93% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #126 of 249
47Brambletonunincorporated, Loudoun County · 24,537 peopleAbetter than 93% of U.S. towns·Overall A+ · #8 of 249
48Ashburnunincorporated, Loudoun County · 46,026 peopleAbetter than 93% of U.S. towns·Overall A+ · #13 of 249
49Bellwoodunincorporated, Chesterfield County · 7,907 peopleAbetter than 93% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #197 of 249
51Woodbridgeunincorporated, Prince William County · 43,945 peopleAbetter than 93% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #155 of 249
52Bull Rununincorporated, Prince William County · 16,859 peopleAbetter than 92% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #153 of 249
53Chamberlayneunincorporated, Henrico County · 4,692 peopleAbetter than 92% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #147 of 249
54Belmontunincorporated, Loudoun County · 9,729 peopleAbetter than 92% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #26 of 249
56Pimmit Hillsunincorporated, Fairfax County · 6,589 peopleAbetter than 92% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #28 of 249
57Fair Oaksunincorporated, Fairfax County · 35,545 peopleAbetter than 92% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #60 of 249
58Forestunincorporated, Bedford County · 13,430 peopleAbetter than 92% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #180 of 249
59Bensleyunincorporated, Chesterfield County · 5,949 peopleAbetter than 92% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #207 of 249
60Cloverdaleunincorporated, Botetourt County · 3,208 peopleAbetter than 92% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #74 of 249
63Dumbartonunincorporated, Henrico County · 7,997 peopleAbetter than 91% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #174 of 249
65Cave Springunincorporated, Roanoke County · 25,742 peopleAbetter than 90% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #70 of 249
66Dalevilleunincorporated, Botetourt County · 3,797 peopleAbetter than 90% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #104 of 249
67Madison Heightsunincorporated, Amherst County · 10,266 peopleAbetter than 90% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #166 of 249
70Rose Hillunincorporated, Fairfax County · 21,066 peopleAbetter than 90% of U.S. towns·Overall A+ · #20 of 249
71Broadlandsunincorporated, Loudoun County · 14,353 peopleAbetter than 90% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #34 of 249
72Kings Parkunincorporated, Fairfax County · 4,315 peopleAbetter than 90% of U.S. towns·Overall A+ · #6 of 249
73Chesterunincorporated, Chesterfield County · 24,474 peopleAbetter than 89% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #148 of 249
74Annandaleunincorporated, Fairfax County · 41,705 peopleAbetter than 89% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #120 of 249
75HarrisonburgHarrisonburg city · 50,839 peopleAbetter than 89% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #201 of 249
76Laurelunincorporated, Henrico County · 18,721 peopleAbetter than 89% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #176 of 249
77Cherry Hillunincorporated, Prince William County · 26,044 peopleAbetter than 89% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #125 of 249
79ArlingtonArlington County (county government) · 236,254 peopleAbetter than 88% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #43 of 249
80Falls ChurchFalls Church city · 15,159 peopleAbetter than 88% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #48 of 249
81Florisunincorporated, Fairfax County · 7,589 peopleAbetter than 88% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #53 of 249
84Ettrickunincorporated, Chesterfield County · 5,910 peopleAbetter than 87% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #95 of 249
86Lakesideunincorporated, Henrico County · 12,654 peopleAbetter than 87% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #165 of 249
87Burke Centreunincorporated, Fairfax County · 17,037 peopleAbetter than 87% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #59 of 249
88DumfriesPrince William County · 6,405 peopleAbetter than 87% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #128 of 249
89West Falls Churchunincorporated, Fairfax County · 31,279 peopleAbetter than 87% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #84 of 249
90Moorefieldunincorporated, Loudoun County · 6,123 peopleAbetter than 87% of U.S. towns·Overall A+ · #3 of 249
91Mechanicsvilleunincorporated, Hanover County · 38,683 peopleAbetter than 87% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #61 of 249
92Short Pumpunincorporated, Henrico County · 29,026 peopleAbetter than 86% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #119 of 249
93Blue Ridgeunincorporated, Botetourt County · 2,800 peopleAbetter than 86% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #96 of 249
94Potomac Millsunincorporated, Prince William County · 5,741 peopleAbetter than 86% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #157 of 249
95Oaktonunincorporated, Fairfax County · 36,528 peopleAbetter than 86% of U.S. towns·Overall A+ · #18 of 249
96Glen Allenunincorporated, Henrico County · 17,551 peopleAbetter than 86% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #156 of 249
97Lake of the Woodsunincorporated, Orange County · 7,984 peopleAbetter than 86% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #142 of 249
98Leesylvaniaunincorporated, Prince William County · 21,632 peopleAbetter than 86% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #106 of 249
99Cascadesunincorporated, Loudoun County · 12,357 peopleAbetter than 86% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #30 of 249
100Dale Cityunincorporated, Prince William County · 71,016 peopleAbetter than 86% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #117 of 249
102Newport NewsNewport News city · 183,230 peopleAbetter than 86% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #227 of 249
103McLeanunincorporated, Fairfax County · 49,627 peopleAbetter than 85% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #47 of 249
105Stuarts Draftunincorporated, Augusta County · 11,780 peopleAbetter than 85% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #171 of 249
107Gainesvilleunincorporated, Prince William County · 18,196 peopleA−better than 84% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #109 of 249
108Weyers Caveunincorporated, Augusta County · 2,744 peopleA−better than 84% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #90 of 249
109Fishersvilleunincorporated, Augusta County · 9,484 peopleA−better than 84% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #202 of 249
110Gloucester Courthouseunincorporated, Gloucester County · 3,336 peopleA−better than 84% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #100 of 249
111Bon Airunincorporated, Chesterfield County · 16,904 peopleA−better than 84% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #121 of 249
112Lansdowneunincorporated, Loudoun County · 12,328 peopleA−better than 84% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #24 of 249
113Manchesterunincorporated, Chesterfield County · 12,445 peopleA−better than 84% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #193 of 249
115Triangleunincorporated, Prince William County · 10,450 peopleA−better than 84% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #161 of 249
116North Springfieldunincorporated, Fairfax County · 7,050 peopleA−better than 83% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #91 of 249
117Difficult Rununincorporated, Fairfax County · 9,938 peopleA−better than 83% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #46 of 249
118Wakefieldunincorporated, Fairfax County · 11,930 peopleA−better than 83% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #37 of 249
119Great Fallsunincorporated, Fairfax County · 15,228 peopleA−better than 82% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #66 of 249
121Newingtonunincorporated, Fairfax County · 13,478 peopleA−better than 82% of U.S. towns·Overall A+ · #21 of 249
122Hayfieldunincorporated, Fairfax County · 4,392 peopleA−better than 82% of U.S. towns·Overall A+ · #15 of 249
123Dunn Loringunincorporated, Fairfax County · 8,957 peopleA−better than 82% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #29 of 249
126Newington Forestunincorporated, Fairfax County · 12,316 peopleA−better than 81% of U.S. towns·Overall A+ · #19 of 249
127Stone Ridgeunincorporated, Loudoun County · 16,603 peopleA−better than 81% of U.S. towns·Overall A+ · #9 of 249
128Wolf Trapunincorporated, Fairfax County · 15,858 peopleA−better than 81% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #52 of 249
129Enonunincorporated, Chesterfield County · 4,137 peopleA−better than 81% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #154 of 249
131Wyndhamunincorporated, Henrico County · 12,099 peopleA−better than 81% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #140 of 249
132MartinsvilleMartinsville city · 13,849 peopleA−better than 80% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #240 of 249
133Lake Ridgeunincorporated, Prince William County · 46,049 peopleA−better than 80% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #83 of 249
136Burkeunincorporated, Fairfax County · 44,029 peopleA−better than 80% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #58 of 249
137Meadowbrookunincorporated, Chesterfield County · 20,749 peopleA−better than 80% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #210 of 249
138Tuckahoeunincorporated, Henrico County · 49,183 peopleA−better than 80% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #152 of 249
139Independent Hillunincorporated, Prince William County · 10,853 peopleA−better than 80% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #98 of 249
140West Springfieldunincorporated, Fairfax County · 22,532 peopleA−better than 80% of U.S. towns·Overall A+ · #17 of 249
141Mount Hermonunincorporated, Pittsylvania County · 4,155 peopleA−better than 79% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #194 of 249
142FredericksburgFredericksburg city · 30,393 peopleA−better than 79% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #219 of 249
143Mantuaunincorporated, Fairfax County · 8,298 peopleA−better than 79% of U.S. towns·Overall A+ · #11 of 249
144Fairfax Stationunincorporated, Fairfax County · 12,566 peopleA−better than 79% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #72 of 249
145CharlottesvilleCharlottesville city · 44,388 peopleA−better than 79% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #208 of 249
147Midlothianunincorporated, Chesterfield County · 19,120 peopleA−better than 78% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #143 of 249
148Kings Park Westunincorporated, Fairfax County · 13,442 peopleA−better than 78% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #33 of 249
150Buckhallunincorporated, Prince William County · 21,602 peopleA−better than 77% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #105 of 249
152Marshallunincorporated, Fauquier County · 3,219 peopleA−better than 76% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #137 of 249
153South Rununincorporated, Fairfax County · 6,600 peopleA−better than 76% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #76 of 249
155Franklin Farmunincorporated, Fairfax County · 18,736 peopleA−better than 76% of U.S. towns·Overall A+ · #16 of 249
156Veronaunincorporated, Augusta County · 4,165 peopleA−better than 76% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #57 of 249
157FarmvillePrince Edward County · 7,593 peopleA−better than 75% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #235 of 249
158WindsorIsle of Wight County · 2,947 peopleA−better than 75% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #122 of 249
159Massanetta Springsunincorporated, Rockingham County · 6,358 peopleA−better than 75% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #139 of 249
160Spotsylvania Courthouseunincorporated, Spotsylvania County · 7,180 peopleB+better than 75% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #195 of 249
161Lake Barcroftunincorporated, Fairfax County · 10,973 peopleB+better than 75% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #81 of 249
163Gloucester Pointunincorporated, Gloucester County · 11,109 peopleB+better than 74% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #158 of 249
164Dranesvilleunincorporated, Fairfax County · 11,828 peopleB+better than 73% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #54 of 249
165Crosspointeunincorporated, Fairfax County · 5,669 peopleB+better than 73% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #56 of 249
166Lowes Islandunincorporated, Loudoun County · 11,018 peopleB+better than 73% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #22 of 249
167Pantopsunincorporated, Albemarle County · 4,665 peopleB+better than 73% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #44 of 249
168Fair Lakesunincorporated, Fairfax County · 8,894 peopleB+better than 72% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #62 of 249
170Laurel Hillunincorporated, Fairfax County · 7,450 peopleB+better than 71% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #65 of 249
172Greenbriarunincorporated, Fairfax County · 8,243 peopleB+better than 71% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #32 of 249
173Rockwoodunincorporated, Chesterfield County · 10,010 peopleB+better than 71% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #141 of 249
174PortsmouthPortsmouth city · 96,777 peopleB+better than 70% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #243 of 249
175South Ridingunincorporated, Loudoun County · 34,352 peopleB+better than 70% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #23 of 249
176County Centerunincorporated, Prince William County · 3,789 peopleB+better than 70% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #113 of 249
177Countrysideunincorporated, Loudoun County · 9,661 peopleB+better than 69% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #67 of 249
178Falmouthunincorporated, Stafford County · 5,216 peopleB+better than 69% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #71 of 249
179Collinsvilleunincorporated, Henry County · 7,139 peopleB+better than 69% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #234 of 249
181Mount Vernonunincorporated, Fairfax County · 13,122 peopleB+better than 69% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #64 of 249
183Grovetonunincorporated, Fairfax County · 13,931 peopleB+better than 68% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #133 of 249
184Braddockunincorporated, Fairfax County · 6,536 peopleB+better than 67% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #79 of 249
185New Baltimoreunincorporated, Fauquier County · 11,919 peopleB+better than 67% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #68 of 249
186Linton Hallunincorporated, Prince William County · 41,876 peopleB+better than 66% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #94 of 249
187Montclairunincorporated, Prince William County · 22,387 peopleB+better than 66% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #101 of 249
188SmithfieldIsle of Wight County · 9,112 peopleBbetter than 65% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #129 of 249
189Carrolltonunincorporated, Isle of Wight County · 8,436 peopleBbetter than 63% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #170 of 249
191Union Millunincorporated, Fairfax County · 4,484 peopleBbetter than 62% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #50 of 249
193Colonial HeightsColonial Heights city · 18,738 peopleBbetter than 60% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #186 of 249
194Hollinsunincorporated, Botetourt County · 17,097 peopleBbetter than 60% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #131 of 249
195Chantillyunincorporated, Fairfax County · 24,036 peopleBbetter than 60% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #77 of 249
197Woodlawnunincorporated, Fairfax County · 21,194 peopleBbetter than 59% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #114 of 249
198Lake Carolineunincorporated, Caroline County · 2,862 peopleBbetter than 59% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #224 of 249
200Lake Monticellounincorporated, Fluvanna County · 10,662 peopleBbetter than 58% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #51 of 249
201Shawneelandunincorporated, Frederick County · 2,754 peopleBbetter than 58% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #160 of 249
203Hollymeadunincorporated, Albemarle County · 8,482 peopleBbetter than 57% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #93 of 249
205Dahlgrenunincorporated, King George County · 3,350 peopleBbetter than 57% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #118 of 249
207Matoacaunincorporated, Chesterfield County · 2,724 peopleBbetter than 56% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #212 of 249
208AlexandriaAlexandria city · 160,662 peopleBbetter than 55% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #190 of 249
210Centrevilleunincorporated, Fairfax County · 71,706 peopleB−better than 54% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #85 of 249
211Aquia Harbourunincorporated, Stafford County · 7,481 peopleB−better than 52% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #99 of 249
212Woodlakeunincorporated, Chesterfield County · 7,358 peopleB−better than 51% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #97 of 249
214King Georgeunincorporated, King George County · 4,851 peopleB−better than 50% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #127 of 249
215Lortonunincorporated, Fairfax County · 20,991 peopleB−better than 50% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #116 of 249
216BridgewaterRockingham County · 6,924 peopleB−better than 50% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #88 of 249
218Belle Havenunincorporated, Fairfax County · 6,570 peopleB−better than 49% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #25 of 249
220Brandermillunincorporated, Chesterfield County · 13,730 peopleB−better than 48% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #150 of 249
221Huntingtonunincorporated, Fairfax County · 13,502 peopleB−better than 48% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #75 of 249
222Sudleyunincorporated, Prince William County · 19,162 peopleB−better than 48% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #173 of 249
223Manassas ParkManassas Park city · 16,560 peopleB−better than 48% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #189 of 249
224Lake Land'Orunincorporated, Caroline County · 4,390 peopleB−better than 47% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #199 of 249
225Hybla Valleyunincorporated, Fairfax County · 17,257 peopleB−better than 45% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #163 of 249
226Colonial BeachWestmoreland County · 4,151 peopleB−better than 45% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #232 of 249
227Fort Huntunincorporated, Fairfax County · 16,700 peopleC+better than 45% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #80 of 249
228Bealetonunincorporated, Fauquier County · 5,034 peopleC+better than 43% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #135 of 249
230Bethel Manorunincorporated, York County · 4,393 peopleC+better than 35% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #175 of 249
232Yorkshireunincorporated, Prince William County · 9,782 peopleCbetter than 34% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #146 of 249
235West PointKing William County · 3,595 peopleCbetter than 33% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #27 of 249
236Crozetunincorporated, Albemarle County · 9,289 peopleCbetter than 33% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #102 of 249
238Bull Rununincorporated, Fairfax County · 7,823 peopleCbetter than 29% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #123 of 249
239Clifton ForgeAlleghany County · 3,372 peopleCbetter than 28% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #211 of 249
240Shenandoah Farmsunincorporated, Clarke County · 4,179 peopleCbetter than 27% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #218 of 249
244TimbervilleRockingham County · 3,166 peopleC−better than 24% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #213 of 249
247North Shoreunincorporated, Franklin County · 3,638 peopleC−better than 19% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #185 of 249
248Buena VistaBuena Vista city · 6,672 peopleC−better than 17% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #177 of 249
252Loch Lomondunincorporated, Prince William County · 4,606 peopleDbetter than 14% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #168 of 249
Quick answers
Questions people ask
Which Virginia town has the lowest natural-hazard risk?
Merrimac (Montgomery County) ranks first on hazard risk among 253 towns, with an A+; Blacksburg and Christiansburg follow.
How are these towns ranked?
The Hazard risk grade: FEMA’s expected yearly loss to buildings from natural hazards, where residents live (National Risk Index). Towns are sorted on the grade’s score; the letter and rank are the same as on each town’s page. How grades work.
Why isn’t my town on this list?
The list covers towns of 2,500+ residents with a hazard risk grade (253 in Virginia). Smaller towns have the grade on their page but no rank. Every town is on the Virginia page.
Go deeper
All Virginia rankings →More Virginia lists
Every list ranks the same 2,500+ towns, so a town’s rank means the same thing on each.
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