Violent
Property
Total
Norfolk, VA Crime Rate & Safety
FBI-verified crime statistics for 2024 | Population: 230,460
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Norfolk, Virginia Safe?
Norfolk has a safety score of 22/100 (High Crime). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 4,242.0 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Norfolk ranks #36 out of 38 cities in Virginia and #2757 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 7th percentile for safety — with higher crime than 93% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in Norfolk is murder, at 16.1 per 100K — 2.6x the national average.
Year over year, Norfolk's total crime rate decreased by 2.5%, with violent crime declining 12.6%.
Norfolk Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 1,082 | 469.5 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 37 | 16.1 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 93 | 40.4 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 178 | 77.2 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 774 | 335.9 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 8,694 | 3,772.5 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 586 | 254.3 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 7,197 | 3,122.9 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 911 | 395.3 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Norfolk vs Virginia Average
How does Norfolk's crime rate compare to the Virginia state average?
| Metric | Norfolk | Virginia Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 469.5 | 338.9 | +38.5% |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,772.5 | 2,386.6 | +58.1% |
| Murder Rate | 16.1 | 9.8 | +63.6% |
| Total Crime Rate | 4,242.0 | 2,725.5 | +55.6% |
Norfolk Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Norfolk, Virginia.
| Year | Population | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 230,460 | 4,242.0 | 469.5 | 3,772.5 |
| 2023 | 230,849 | 4,352.6 | 537.2 | 3,815.5 |
| 2022 | 233,419 | 5,609.2 | 711.6 | 4,897.6 |
| 2021 | 242,488 | 3,978.8 | 749.3 | 3,229.4 |
| 2020 | 242,516 | 3,396.9 | 647.8 | 2,749.1 |
| 2019 | 242,813 | 4,007.2 | 545.7 | 3,461.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Norfolk, Virginia safe?
Norfolk has a safety score of 22/100. With a total crime rate of 4,242.0 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Norfolk is higher than average in crime compared to the national average.
What is the crime rate in Norfolk, Virginia?
According to FBI data for 2024, Norfolk has a violent crime rate of 469.5 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 3,772.5 per 100,000 residents.
How does Norfolk compare to the national average?
Norfolk's total crime rate of 4,242.0 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The city has a population of 230,460.
What types of crime are most common in Norfolk?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Norfolk include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Norfolk safe to visit?
Like any city, Norfolk has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 22/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.