Virginia is widely recognized for its historic landmarks, scenic mountain landscapes, charming small towns, and growing metropolitan areas. From the colonial streets of Williamsburg to the beaches of Virginia Beach and the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Commonwealth offers a high quality of life for millions of residents.
Like every state, however, Virginia has communities facing public safety challenges. While many neighborhoods remain safe, some cities report higher violent crime rates than the state average. Understanding these statistics can help residents, visitors, and anyone considering a move make more informed decisions.
Quick Guide
- State: Virginia
- Ranking Based On: Reported violent crime rate per 100,000 residents
- Includes: Assault, robbery, rape, and homicide
- Important Note: Crime rates can vary significantly by neighborhood and may change from year to year.
- Source:areavibes
This ranking is based primarily on reported violent crime rates per 100,000 residents. It’s important to remember that crime is often concentrated in specific neighborhoods rather than an entire city, and many communities on this list continue working with law enforcement, local organizations, and residents to improve public safety.
10. Norfolk
- Population: 250,142
- 469 violent crimes per 100k
- violent crimes per day: 1.29
- chance of being a victim: 1 in 213
- Total Crimes / 100k: 4,242
Rounding out our list at #10 is Norfolk, VA. With a population of 250,142 and a violent crime rate of 469 per 100,000 people (115% higher than the Virginia average), some parts of Norfolk are incredible unsafe.
The violent crime rate consists of 336 counts of assault, 77 counts of robbery, 40 counts of rape and 16 counts of homicide. Residents can expect to have a 1 in 213 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime.
9. Farmville
- Population: 8,368
- 548 violent crimes per 100k
- violent crimes per day: 1.50
- chance of being a victim: 1 in 182
- Total Crimes / 100k: 4,093
Economic conditions, education, social environment, law enforcement and urbanization can all have an impact on crime rates. Feeling the effects of most of those issues, Farmville, VA comes in as the 9th most dangerous city in Virginia with a violent crime rate of 548 per 100,000 people.…