Violent
Property
Total
Portsmouth, VA Crime Rate & Safety
FBI-verified crime statistics for 2024 | Population: 97,156
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Portsmouth, Virginia Safe?
Portsmouth has a safety score of 16/100 (High Crime). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 4,613.2 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Portsmouth ranks #37 out of 38 cities in Virginia and #2823 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 5th percentile for safety — with higher crime than 95% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in Portsmouth is murder, at 37.1 per 100K — 6.0x the national average.
Year over year, Portsmouth's total crime rate decreased by 14.4%, with violent crime declining 8.9%.
Portsmouth Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 731 | 752.4 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 36 | 37.1 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 35 | 36.0 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 163 | 167.8 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 497 | 511.6 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 3,751 | 3,860.8 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 412 | 424.1 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 2,837 | 2,920.1 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 502 | 516.7 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Portsmouth vs Virginia Average
How does Portsmouth's crime rate compare to the Virginia state average?
| Metric | Portsmouth | Virginia Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 752.4 | 338.9 | +122.0% |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,860.8 | 2,386.6 | +61.8% |
| Murder Rate | 37.1 | 9.8 | +277.7% |
| Total Crime Rate | 4,613.2 | 2,725.5 | +69.3% |
Portsmouth Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Portsmouth, Virginia.
| Year | Population | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 97,156 | 4,613.2 | 752.4 | 3,860.8 |
| 2023 | 96,649 | 5,390.6 | 825.7 | 4,565.0 |
| 2022 | 98,003 | 5,767.2 | 875.5 | 4,891.7 |
| 2021 | 94,943 | 4,607.0 | 767.8 | 3,839.2 |
| 2020 | 94,205 | 5,480.6 | 922.5 | 4,558.1 |
| 2019 | 93,991 | 6,807.0 | 945.8 | 5,861.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Portsmouth, Virginia safe?
Portsmouth has a safety score of 16/100. With a total crime rate of 4,613.2 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Portsmouth is higher than average in crime compared to the national average.
What is the crime rate in Portsmouth, Virginia?
According to FBI data for 2024, Portsmouth has a violent crime rate of 752.4 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 3,860.8 per 100,000 residents.
How does Portsmouth compare to the national average?
Portsmouth's total crime rate of 4,613.2 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The city has a population of 97,156.
What types of crime are most common in Portsmouth?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Portsmouth include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Portsmouth safe to visit?
Like any city, Portsmouth has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 16/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.