Violent
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Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI 2024 crime data, Petersburg, VA has a Safety Score of 9/100 — higher crime than 91% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 3,932.9 per 100,000 residents, ranking #2,704 of 2,971 US cities and #35 of 38 in Virginia.
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Petersburg, Virginia Safe?
Petersburg, a historic city on the Appomattox River, played a pivotal role in the American Civil War. Its population is predominantly African American, contributing to a rich cultural heritage.
Petersburg has a safety score of 9/100 (High Crime). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 3,932.9 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Petersburg ranks #35 out of 38 cities in Virginia and #2704 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 9th percentile for safety — with higher crime than 91% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in Petersburg is murder, at 44.7 per 100K — 7.2x the national average.
Year over year, Petersburg's total crime rate decreased by 3.5%, with violent crime rising 50.3%.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Petersburg Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 350 | 1,043.6 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 15 | 44.7 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 21 | 62.6 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 33 | 98.4 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 281 | 837.9 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 969 | 2,889.3 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 96 | 286.2 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 733 | 2,185.6 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 140 | 417.4 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Petersburg vs Virginia Average
How does Petersburg's crime rate compare to the Virginia state average?
| Metric | Petersburg | Virginia Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,043.6 | 338.9 | +207.9% |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,889.3 | 2,386.6 | +21.1% |
| Murder Rate | 44.7 | 9.8 | +356.0% |
| Total Crime Rate | 3,932.9 | 2,725.5 | +44.3% |
Petersburg Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Petersburg, Virginia.
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 33,538 | 3,932.9 | 1,043.6 | 2,889.3 |
| 2023 | 33,424 | 4,074.9 | 694.1 | 3,380.8 |
| 2022 | 33,546 | 3,419.2 | 822.8 | 2,596.4 |
| 2021 | 30,212 | 3,220.6 | 784.5 | 2,436.1 |
| 2020 | 31,195 | 3,513.4 | 743.7 | 2,769.7 |
| 2019 | 31,273 | 4,057.8 | 751.5 | 3,306.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Petersburg, Virginia safe?
Petersburg has a safety score of 9/100, meaning it has less crime than about 9% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 3,932.9 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Petersburg is among the highest-crime US cities.
What is the crime rate in Petersburg, Virginia?
According to FBI data for 2024, Petersburg has a violent crime rate of 1,043.6 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 2,889.3 per 100,000 residents.
How does Petersburg compare to the national average?
Petersburg's total crime rate of 3,932.9 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The data covers 33,538 residents.
What types of crime are most common in Petersburg?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Petersburg include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Petersburg safe to visit?
Like any city, Petersburg has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 9/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.