Is Chesapeake or Martinsville Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Martinsville is safer than Chesapeake (Safety Score 56/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 1,518 per 100,000 versus 2,084 for Chesapeake — 27% lower. Chesapeake has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Martinsville has a 68% lower rate.
Note: Chesapeake is 18.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Chesapeake — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Martinsville — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chesapeake, VA
Martinsville, VA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chesapeake | Martinsville | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,083.6 | 1,517.8 | +565.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 339.4 | 386.6 | -47.2 |
| Murder Rate | 4.7 | 7.2 | -2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 23.3 | 43.0 | -19.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 44.7 | 14.3 | +30.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 266.7 | 322.2 | -55.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,744.2 | 1,131.2 | +613.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 185.0 | 107.4 | +77.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,446.5 | 952.2 | +494.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 112.7 | 71.6 | +41.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chesapeake or Martinsville safer?
Martinsville is safer with a total crime rate of 1,518 per 100K vs 2,084 for Chesapeake — a 27% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chesapeake has a violent crime rate of 339.4 per 100K while Martinsville has 386.6. Chesapeake has lower violent crime.
About Chesapeake, VA
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. With a safety score of 38/100 and a population coverage of 257,248, Chesapeake has a total crime rate of 2,083.6 per 100,000 residents.
About Martinsville, VA
Martinsville, VA, known for its historic textile industry, sits in the Blue Ridge foothills. This independent city in Southern Virginia has a population of around 13,000. With a safety score of 56/100 and a population coverage of 13,968, Martinsville has a total crime rate of 1,517.8 per 100,000 residents.