Is Danville or Richmond Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Danville is safer than Richmond (Safety Score 16/100 vs 12/100), with a total crime rate of 3,199 per 100,000 versus 3,516 for Richmond — 9% lower. Danville has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Danville has a 44% lower rate.
Note: Richmond is 5.5x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Danville — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Richmond — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Danville, VA
Richmond, VA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Danville | Richmond | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,199.3 | 3,516.3 | -317.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 365.0 | 336.9 | +28.1 |
| Murder Rate | 21.5 | 24.2 | -2.7 |
| Rape Rate | 35.8 | 18.6 | +17.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 52.5 | 94.5 | -42.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 255.3 | 199.7 | +55.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,834.3 | 3,179.4 | -345.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 219.5 | 265.3 | -45.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,457.4 | 2,386.9 | +70.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 157.5 | 527.2 | -369.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Danville or Richmond safer?
Danville is safer with a total crime rate of 3,199 per 100K vs 3,516 for Richmond — a 9% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Danville has a violent crime rate of 365.0 per 100K while Richmond has 336.9. Richmond has lower violent crime.
About Danville, VA
Danville, once the "Last Capital of the Confederacy," sits on the Dan River near the North Carolina border. This former textile and tobacco hub is now a city of around 40,000 residents in Southside Virginia. With a safety score of 16/100 and a population coverage of 41,915, Danville has a total crime rate of 3,199.3 per 100,000 residents.
About Richmond, VA
Richmond, Virginia, a city pivotal during the Civil War, sits along the fall line of the James River. It's a diverse city, home to a vibrant arts scene and a growing population of young professionals. With a safety score of 12/100 and a population coverage of 231,805, Richmond has a total crime rate of 3,516.3 per 100,000 residents.