Is Danville or Virginia Beach Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Virginia Beach is safer than Danville (Safety Score 48/100 vs 16/100), with a total crime rate of 1,733 per 100,000 versus 3,199 for Danville — 46% lower. Danville has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Virginia Beach has a 87% lower rate.
Note: Virginia Beach is 10.9x 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
Virginia Beach — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Danville, VA
Virginia Beach, VA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Danville | Virginia Beach | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,199.3 | 1,733.3 | +1,466.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 365.0 | 93.4 | +271.7 |
| Murder Rate | 21.5 | 2.9 | +18.6 |
| Rape Rate | 35.8 | 18.5 | +17.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 52.5 | 31.6 | +20.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 255.3 | 39.3 | +216.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,834.3 | 1,639.9 | +1,194.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 219.5 | 83.9 | +135.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,457.4 | 1,446.8 | +1,010.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 157.5 | 109.2 | +48.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Danville or Virginia Beach safer?
Virginia Beach is safer with a total crime rate of 1,733 per 100K vs 3,199 for Danville — a 46% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Danville has a violent crime rate of 365.0 per 100K while Virginia Beach has 93.4. Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach, VA
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. With a safety score of 48/100 and a population coverage of 455,155, Virginia Beach has a total crime rate of 1,733.3 per 100,000 residents.