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Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI 2024 crime data, Virginia Beach, VA has a Safety Score of 48/100 — higher crime than 52% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 1,733.3 per 100,000 residents, ranking #1,535 of 2,971 US cities and #11 of 38 in Virginia.
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Virginia Beach, Virginia Safe?
Virginia Beach, a coastal city where the Chesapeake Bay meets the Atlantic, is home to the Naval Air Station Oceana, a major employer. Its population of nearly half a million is diverse, with significant military and retiree communities.
Virginia Beach has a safety score of 48/100 (Higher Crime Than Average). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 1,733.3 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Virginia Beach ranks #11 out of 38 cities in Virginia and #1535 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 48th percentile for safety — with higher crime than 52% of US cities.
Year over year, Virginia Beach's total crime rate decreased by 1.1%, with violent crime declining 2.1%.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Virginia Beach Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 425 | 93.4 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 13 | 2.9 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 84 | 18.5 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 144 | 31.6 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 179 | 39.3 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 7,464 | 1,639.9 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 382 | 83.9 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 6,585 | 1,446.8 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 497 | 109.2 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Virginia Beach vs Virginia Average
How does Virginia Beach's crime rate compare to the Virginia state average?
| Metric | Virginia Beach | Virginia Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 93.4 | 338.9 | -72.5% |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,639.9 | 2,386.6 | -31.3% |
| Murder Rate | 2.9 | 9.8 | -70.8% |
| Total Crime Rate | 1,733.3 | 2,725.5 | -36.4% |
Virginia Beach Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Virginia Beach, Virginia.
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 455,155 | 1,733.3 | 93.4 | 1,639.9 |
| 2023 | 453,991 | 1,751.8 | 95.4 | 1,656.4 |
| 2022 | 457,556 | 1,840.7 | 95.7 | 1,744.9 |
| 2021 | 451,938 | 1,690.1 | 114.6 | 1,575.4 |
| 2020 | 450,858 | 1,630.9 | 101.8 | 1,529.1 |
| 2019 | 449,038 | 1,890.0 | 129.4 | 1,760.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Virginia Beach, Virginia safe?
Virginia Beach has a safety score of 48/100, meaning it has less crime than about 48% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 1,733.3 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Virginia Beach is higher-crime than most US cities.
What is the crime rate in Virginia Beach, Virginia?
According to FBI data for 2024, Virginia Beach has a violent crime rate of 93.4 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 1,639.9 per 100,000 residents.
How does Virginia Beach compare to the national average?
Virginia Beach's total crime rate of 1,733.3 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The data covers 455,155 residents.
What types of crime are most common in Virginia Beach?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Virginia Beach include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Virginia Beach safe to visit?
Like any city, Virginia Beach has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 48/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.