Violent
Property
Total
Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI crime data, Chesapeake, VA has a Safety Score of 38/100 — higher crime than 62% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 2,083.6 per 100,000 residents, ranking #1,828 of 2,957 US cities and #19 of 38 in Virginia.
Quiz: which of these is SAFER than Chesapeake, VA?
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Chesapeake, Virginia Safe?
Chesapeake, a sprawling South Hampton Roads city, incorporates rural and suburban areas. Its numerous waterways, like the Great Dismal Swamp Canal, are integral to its geography. The city was formed in 1963 through a merger of Norfolk County and South Norfolk.
Chesapeake has a safety score of 38/100 (Higher Crime Than Average). Based on FBI data, the city reported a total crime rate of 2,083.6 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,785.9 per 100,000.
Chesapeake ranks #19 out of 38 cities in Virginia and #1828 out of 2957 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 38th percentile for safety — with higher crime than 62% of US cities.
Year over year, Chesapeake's total crime rate decreased by 7.1%, with violent crime declining 18.6%.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Chesapeake Crime Statistics Breakdown
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 873 | 339.4 | 478.2 |
| Murder | 12 | 4.7 | 6.3 |
| Rape | 60 | 23.3 | 43.8 |
| Robbery | 115 | 44.7 | 94.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 686 | 266.7 | 333.5 |
| Property Crime | 4,487 | 1,744.2 | 2,307.7 |
| Burglary | 476 | 185.0 | 292.0 |
| Larceny-Theft | 3,721 | 1,446.5 | 1,657.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 290 | 112.7 | 358.0 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Chesapeake vs Virginia Average
How does Chesapeake's crime rate compare to the Virginia state average?
| Metric | Chesapeake | Virginia Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 339.4 | 338.9 | +0.1% |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,744.2 | 2,386.6 | -26.9% |
| Murder Rate | 4.7 | 9.8 | -52.5% |
| Total Crime Rate | 2,083.6 | 2,725.5 | -23.6% |
Chesapeake Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Chesapeake, Virginia.
Between 2019 and 2024, Chesapeake's total crime rate is down 24% (2,730 → 2,084 per 100,000). Violent crime is down 26% and property crime down 23% over the same period.
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 257,248 | 2,083.6 | 339.4 | 1,744.2 |
| 2023 | 254,051 | 2,242.1 | 416.9 | 1,825.2 |
| 2022 | 253,745 | 2,436.3 | 418.9 | 2,017.4 |
| 2021 | 249,188 | 2,201.2 | 469.1 | 1,732.0 |
| 2020 | 247,118 | 2,230.9 | 422.5 | 1,808.5 |
| 2019 | 243,726 | 2,730.1 | 456.7 | 2,273.5 |
Chesapeake Crime Map — Surrounding Area
City-level crime rates from FBI data for Chesapeake and nearby cities — green is safer, red is higher-crime; circle size is population. Not an incident-level map. Full state view: Virginia crime map.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chesapeake, Virginia safe?
Chesapeake has a safety score of 38/100, meaning it has less crime than about 38% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 2,083.6 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Chesapeake is higher-crime than most US cities.
What is the crime rate in Chesapeake, Virginia?
According to FBI data for 2024, Chesapeake has a violent crime rate of 339.4 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 1,744.2 per 100,000 residents.
How does Chesapeake compare to the national average?
Chesapeake's total crime rate of 2,083.6 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The data covers 257,248 residents.
What types of crime are most common in Chesapeake?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Chesapeake are larceny-theft (3,721 reported incidents) and aggravated assault (686 reported incidents). Property crime outnumbers violent crime 5.1x in the city.
How many murders were reported in Chesapeake in 2024?
12 murders were reported to the FBI for Chesapeake in 2024 — a homicide rate of 4.7 per 100,000 residents.
Is crime in Chesapeake going up or down?
Chesapeake's total crime rate is falling: 24% lower in 2024 than in 2019 (2,084 vs 2,730 per 100,000, FBI data).
Is Chesapeake safe to visit?
Like any city, Chesapeake has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 38/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.