Just how safe are you in your college town? It may seem like it at times, but you’re not actually stuck in a bubble called JMU while in college. You’re still in the “real world” and “real” things happen. Things like armed robberies, assault, and murder.

The number of violent crimes from 2006 to 2007 actually declined in most Virginia college towns, but that doesn’t mean you’re living in Pleasantville quite yet.

The FBI classifies violent crime as murder and nonnegligent manslaughter, forcible rape, aggravated assault, and robbery. Violent crimes are categorized as those that involve force or the threat of force.

Taking all that into account, here’s a look at the number of violent crimes in college towns around Virginia in 2007.

Williamsburg: 30
      Home to William and Mary

Fairfax: 39
      Home to George Mason

Blacksburg: 63
      Home to Virginia Tech

Harrisonburg: 150 of which 102 were aggravated assault, 11 were forcible rape, and 37 were armed robberies.
      Home to JMU, Bridgewater, Blue Ridge CC, an EMU

Charlottesville: 273
      Home to UVa

Richmond: 1,837

     Home to University of Richmond and VCU

Norfolk: 1,024
      Home to Norfolk State University and Old Dominion University

With all that in mind, remember that you're not invincible just because you're 20 something.