Violent
Property
Total
Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI 2024 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 #1,845 of 2,971 US cities and #19 of 38 in Virginia.
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 for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 2,083.6 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Chesapeake ranks #19 out of 38 cities in Virginia and #1845 out of 2971 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 (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 873 | 339.4 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 12 | 4.7 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 60 | 23.3 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 115 | 44.7 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 686 | 266.7 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 4,487 | 1,744.2 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 476 | 185.0 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 3,721 | 1,446.5 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 290 | 112.7 | 352.4 |
| 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.
| 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 |
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 include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
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.